With World Maritime Day around the corner, we recognize the NOAA NWS Ocean Prediction Center (OPC) for its constant commitment to enhancing maritime safety. Most are familiar with hurricanes and tropical storms, but not many consider the threats from “extratropical” cyclones, like Nor’easters, and other critical threats to mariners on the open ocean. Once upon a time, the Beaufort Scale - the recognized measurement of windspeed intensity - listed “Violent Storm” as the highest level of wind forc