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Fred Pickhardt

Ocean Weather Services provides global ocean weather forecasts and ship routing services to the maritime industry. In addition, our weather experts provide accurate ocean storm and hurricane tracking services as well as professional marine meteorological research reports for admiralty lawyers and marine insurance companies. Fred is a marine meteorologist with years of experience in optimum ship routing, vessel performance analysis and weather event reconstructions.


Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Hurricane Force Storm with 40+ Foot Seas Off U.S. West Coast
Weather

Hurricane Force Storm with 40+ Foot Seas Off U.S. West Coast

An intense storm low over the eastern North Pacific is currently moving towards the northeast at about 20 kts and is producing winds of 50-70 knots with

January 4, 2023
Total Views: 19561

Friday, November 5, 2021
The Other Hurricane Season
Weather

The Other Hurricane Season

(Ocean Weather Service) – Each year there are, on average, about 6 hurricanes in the North Atlantic, 8 in the Eastern North Pacific and 17 Typhoons in

November 5, 2021
Total Views: 3067

Thursday, March 1, 2018
Ben Franklin gulf stream
News

High Wind and Wave Events Crossing the Gulf Stream, Explained

Crossing the Gulf Stream where ocean currents can exceed 2 knots takes some skill and if you try in under certain weather conditions, could be dangerous for

March 1, 2018
Total Views: 1831

Monday, February 19, 2018
Dangerous North Atlantic Storm Impacting Shipping Lanes
Maritime News

Dangerous North Atlantic Storm Impacting Shipping Lanes

A developing hurricane force storm low over the west-central North Atlantic continues to move eastward at 35 knots producing winds of 55-75 knots with

February 19, 2018
Total Views: 33

Friday, November 10, 2017
Gales of November – A Look at the Storm that Sank the Edmund Fitzgerald
Maritime News

Gales of November – A Look at the Storm that Sank the Edmund Fitzgerald

Note: This article was originally posted November 10, 2016.  On November 10, 1975 the Great Lakes bulk cargo vessel SS Edmund

November 10, 2017
Total Views: 7793

Monday, October 23, 2017
Merging Pacific Storms Could Produce 17-Meter Wave Heights
Maritime News

Merging Pacific Storms Could Produce 17-Meter Wave Heights

Update: This storm has produced significant wave heights in excess of 57.8 feet (19.6 m)! Read the update here. Post-Tropical Hurricane Force Storm Lan will

October 23, 2017
Total Views: 49

Wednesday, June 21, 2017
With 3 Named Storms Already, What Should We Expect for the Remainder 2017 North Atlantic Hurricane Season?
Maritime News

With 3 Named Storms Already, What Should We Expect for the Remainder 2017 North Atlantic Hurricane Season?

By Fred Pickhardt (Ocean Weather Services) – Given the unusual occurrence of 3 named tropical cyclones prior to the end of June, one might ask what

June 21, 2017
Total Views: 16

Monday, February 6, 2017
Severe Weather Alert: 932 MB Hurricane Force Storm Over Eastern North Atlantic
Interesting

Severe Weather Alert: 932 MB Hurricane Force Storm Over Eastern North Atlantic

As of 0600 UTC 06 February, an intense hurricane force 932MB low was moving northward over the eastern North Atlantic is producing storm force winds outward

February 6, 2017
Total Views: 68

Thursday, October 6, 2016
Hurricane Matthew Strengthening as it Approaches Florida
News

Hurricane Matthew Strengthening as it Approaches Florida

Hurricane Mathew at 11am EDT 1500 UTC is once again gaining strength with max winds now at 120 knots (about 140 mph). Environmental conditions appear favorable

October 6, 2016
Total Views: 3

Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Hurricane Matthew Over Windward Passage, to Head Towards Bahamas and Florida
News

Hurricane Matthew Over Windward Passage, to Head Towards Bahamas and Florida

Hurricane Matthew at 2100 UTC has weakened slightly to 120 knots maximum winds due to the interaction of nearby land. Hurricane force winds extend outward 40

October 4, 2016
Total Views: 37

Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Super Typhoon Nepartak Heads Towards Taiwan
Maritime News

Super Typhoon Nepartak Heads Towards Taiwan

Super Typhoon Nepartak over the western North Pacific was located about 419 NM southeast of Taipei, Taiwan and was moving towards the WNW at 16 knots. Max

July 6, 2016
Total Views: 3

Friday, February 19, 2016
Tropical Cyclone Winston Bears Down On Fiji – 140 Knot Winds Forecasted!
Maritime News

Tropical Cyclone Winston Bears Down On Fiji – 140 Knot Winds Forecasted!

TC Winston continues to strengthen and at 06UTC 19th was located about 330 NM east of Suva, Fiji and was moving west at 12 knots.  Max winds are estimated

February 19, 2016
Total Views: 6

Thursday, February 11, 2016
Royal Caribbean’s Nightmare Cruise: What Did the Weather Forecasts Say?
Maritime News

Royal Caribbean’s Nightmare Cruise: What Did the Weather Forecasts Say?

The Anthem of the Seas departed Bayonne, New Jersey last Saturday with about 4,500 guests and 1,600 crewmembers for what was scheduled to be a 7-day

February 11, 2016
Total Views: 87

Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Unusual North Pacific Storm Tracking Through Main Shipping Lanes – UPDATE
Interesting

Unusual North Pacific Storm Tracking Through Main Shipping Lanes – UPDATE

Update (Jan 14) – The intense and dangerous North Pacific storm continues to pack winds to 90 knots and wave heights to 50 feet (15.2 meters) this

January 13, 2016
Total Views: 22

Friday, November 13, 2015
What is the Role of the Oceans in Global Warming/Climate Change?
Maritime News

What is the Role of the Oceans in Global Warming/Climate Change?

There has been much press and controversy in recent years about global warming or climate change. Opinions range from doomsday scenarios to absolute disbelief.

November 13, 2015
Total Views: 359

Thursday, August 15, 2013
North Atlantic Tropics Becoming Active
Uncategorized

North Atlantic Tropics Becoming Active

TS Erin formed late Wednesday over the eastern North Atlantic and was moving west-northwestward at about 13 knots with max winds of about 35 knots.

August 15, 2013
Total Views: 2

Sunday, August 11, 2013
super typhoon utor
News

Super Typhoon Utor Nears Luzon Coast

Utor is now a Super Typhoon with max winds of about 130 knots as it approaches the coast of Luzon and could be as strong as 135-140 knots in

August 11, 2013
Total Views: 14

Tuesday, March 12, 2013
1993 Superstorm Remembered
News

1993 Superstorm Remembered

This week, back in 1993, was one of the most intense East Coast Storms ever seen. Early on March 13, 1993 an unusually severe extratropical low moved ashore

March 12, 2013
Total Views: 325

Friday, February 22, 2013
Intense Storm Affecting North Atlantic Shipping Routes [UPDATE]
Uncategorized

Intense Storm Affecting North Atlantic Shipping Routes [UPDATE]

UDPATE The hurricane force storm that was over the western North Atlantic shipping lanes Feb. 23rd-24th has weakened and turned northward towards Greenland,

February 22, 2013
Total Views: 9

Monday, February 4, 2013
noaa opc significant wave height analysis
News

Storm Rages North of Scotland With 17 Meter Significant Wave Heights

An intense hurricane force storm is forecast to move from south of Iceland towards the coast of Norway on Monday with a large area of winds forces 10-12 (50-70

February 4, 2013
Total Views: 17
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