Every Geek should have one!

ShippingForecastLite

The UK shipping forecast is one of those uniquely British fixtures that feels both calming and essential. It’s a short, rhythmic rundown of sea conditions — wind, visibility, weather — broadcast on BBC Radio 4 for anyone heading out onto the water. Even if you’re nowhere near a boat, there’s something reassuring about hearing places like Dogger, Fisher, and German Bight read out with that steady, measured tone. Behind the charm, though, it’s serious business: it’s a lifeline for mariners, built from real time Met Office data to keep people safe at sea.

The ShippingForecastLite kit is an educational electronics project that brings the shipping forecast to life. Contained within the map are 31 multi colour LEDs. These LEDs are painted with a colour to reflect the current wind conditions. The actual area forecasts are scrolled, in turn, on the display along with the forecast date and general synopsis.

ShippingForecastLite is configured via a simple web page interface accessible from a PC / Mac / iPhone / Android / etc.

Sold as an easy build kit - soldering is required. The manual and build instructions can be found here.

PCB size 255mm x 150mm. Overall height, including stand, 80mm. Overall depth, including stand, 70mm.