High Seas Pacific Change

NWS National Centers for Environmental Prediction’s (NCEP) Ocean Prediction Center (OPC), and Pacific Region solicited comments on a proposal to align the western boundary of NWS Pacific Ocean text high seas forecasts (HSF)s from approximately 160 degrees E to 180 degrees E, to align with the international date line and also the western boundary of METAREA XII. The proposal had support from users and the NWS is making this adjustment.

The boundary adjustment includes aligning the southern boundary of the NWS Pacific Ocean text HSFs from 25 degrees S to the Equator (0 degrees S) west of 120 degrees W, aligning with the northern boundary of METAREA XIV. The result is that the NWS will discontinue text forecasts for the overlapping sections west of the date line from 160 degrees-180 degrees E longitude, and for the overlapping sections south of the Equator (0 degrees S) and west of 120 degrees W to 25 degrees S.

NOTE:  Text high seas forecasts for METAREA XII in its entirety will continue to be issued by the NWS and the area itself of METAREA XII will not be changing.  

WMO METAREAs, including METAREA XII, can be found at:  https://wwmiws.wmo.int/

Table 1: NWS Text Product to be Discontinued 

Product Name                                        WMO Heading      AWIPS ID
-----------------------------------                      -----------               --------
High Seas Forecast South Mid-Pacific   FZPS40 PHFO    HSFSP 

Table 2: NWS Text Product Reduced Areas:

Product Name                                        WMO Heading     AWIPS ID
-----------------------------------                     -----------                 --------
High Seas Forecast Northeast Pacific   FZPN01 KWBC    HSFEP1
High Seas Forecast East Pacific           FZPN02 KWBC    HSFEPI
High Seas Forecast North Mid-Pacific   FZPN40 PHFO    HSFNP

See below for graphical depiction: