An opportunity to study the weather

[Ross]

With tropical storm Ernesto starting up the east coast we have the opportunity to observe the changes in the sky, the barometer, the sea state if you are near the coast. We can make corrolation between the weather reports and our own local observations. What will the sky look like 12 hours before the outer edges of the storm arrive? Will we start seeing swells generated by the storm? How about at six hours or three?There has been some discussion as to the readiness we have for offshore sailing. We need to be able to look at the sky and know what we are seeing. With the constant help of the weather reports we can have a living textbook for this storm.

 

[Baysailor2]

Observations...

I'm going to have the opportunity to make observations from the deck as I'm planning to be in Worton Creek Thursday, Rock Hall Friday, and Annapolis Saturday. The operative word is "planning". I observed Cindy pass over in Rock Hall last year during July 4th week. This one's westward track makes it look like a repeat of Isabel.

 

[Rob]

We are looking at the track, Like everyone else

We plan on sailing down the bay to Annapolis on Sat and anchor or if possible grab a mooring ball, then Leave Moday.....I saw a CNN map where there is a chance a High pressure system will keep Ernesto stalled off the Carolinas for the weekend...but just a chance....Maybe its a check the docklines and then yard work weekend....hope not!

 

[Ross]

Now that Ernesto is knocking at our door

I will tell what I have seen for the last three days. The skies have been intermitantly over cast with brief light showers and some sunshine. The barometer is still around 30 inches and steady. We are getting southeast wind that are increasing today and light intermittant rain. If I didn't have access to the weather reports I don't think that I would suspect a tropical storm. It is still below 70 degrees and that is much cooler than the last three days. If I had gone sailing on monday and stayed out of touch with the world I would know that the conditions were deteriorating and the we were going to get wet and cold but I wouldn't suspect a tropical storm. Even this is good, because knowing the time of the year and the chance of a storm, I think that if ever I encounter these weather conditions and this sequence of change I will seek shelter in a snug anchorage.

 

[Franklin]

Speaking of storms

I found this online book about seamanship. The link takes you to the Hurricane section. It talks about how to know if you have a hurricane coming vrs a gale, how to determine the path of the hurricane, and how to get out of it's way.It was written back in the 1800s when they didn't have all this fancy stuff and they did get caught in them once in a while. It is the second reference I've found that suggest sailing into the wind when on the dirty side. I just can't see how I can have enough sail up that I could control that would generate enough forward drive to overcome the backward push against the hull by the wind. Without forward progress, I can't steer. Interesting This guy seems to know what he is talking about though.

 

[Ross]

That information could save your life.

Storm Tactics by Larry and Lin Pardey is also worth having and reading.Thanks for posting that.Ross