The UK Met Office and MCA have told that there is a change to the Inshore Waters Forecasts that are broadcast on VHF radio by Stornoway and Clyde Coastguard during their Maritime Safety Information (MSI) broadcasts. It is said that the change has come about as a result of consultation between the MCA, UK Met Office and the Western Isles Fishermans Association to better define the difference in the weather conditions between the Atlantic coast of the Western Isles and the Minch, Little Minch & Sea of the Hebrides which is covered by the Ardnamurchan Point to Cape Wrath, including the Outer Hebrides forecast.
The Met Office informed that they are using a computer model of historical weather data for the area. The Met Office is determined that the highest average wind speeds were to be found in the area covering the west coast of the Western Isles, but also north of a line connecting the Butt of Lewis and Lochinver and also a line from Lochboisdale, South Uist, to the western coast of the Isle of Rhum.
It is said that winds of a lesser strength were generally found to be in the Minch, Little Minch, around the Isle of Skye and the Small Isles of Rhum, Eigg & Muck down to Ardnamurchan Point. The description of these two new areas are as follows:
1. Ardnamurchan Point to Cape Wrath, excluding the Minch
2. The Minch, from South Uist and Rum in the south to Butt of Lewis and Lochinver in the north.
