The 24 hour regional surface forecasts cover adjacent and offshore waters of the eastern and western U.S.. Using computer graphic workstations these surface forecasts are prepared twice daily. The surface forecast takes into account computer guidance from several models, including the GFS, Navys' NOGAPS, Canadian GEM, ECMWF and other global models. Surface forecasts depict the centers of synoptic scale high and low pressure centers, with central pressure denoted with 3 or 4 digits in millibars (mb). The 00-hour (FROM: time) position and future 48-hour forecast position of lows and highs have vector arrows with an "X" for low centers and a "circle with an X inside" by the head for high centers. An underlined bold two digit mb central pressure value will be placed under or adjacent to the 00/48 hour position label (e.g., 1050 mb high would be written as a 50 and a 960 mb low would have 60).Winds of 34 knots (39 mph) to 47 knots (54 mph) define a gale; otherwise winds are storm force if 48 knots or greater. Also, included is the forecast position of any tropical system with pressure depicted as "XXX" for unknown. Surface pressure is depicted with a 4 millibar contour interval. Depicted are the direction and speed of movement in knots for the next 12 hours. The forecast includes the location of fronts, troughs, ridges, areas of fog, and likely areas of freezing spray.