We want to go sailing this Saturday but a big storm is developing just north and west of Wheeler lake in Northern Alabama. The offical forcast is for mid 60's temeperature 18 kts and isolated thunderstorms(30%) tommorow afternoon. 18kts is good sailing in the Pearson 323. BUT late afternoon and evening is when the storm might arrive with stronger conditions. Go sailing but stay close to the marina Go sailing just be back before dark Stay at the dock and add a few extra dock lines. I know what I plan to do but would like see how my judgement compares to others on this board.
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Nowadays, it's hard for bad
weather to creep up on you and catch you totally off guard. Sure, mid-to-late summer line squalls can come up fast, but even those can been seen developing some distance away. My VHF radio has a "Weather Alert" feature that works really well in terms of early warning. If you have that feature, keep an ear out for warnings and an eye on the horizon for storm clouds. So, I join Ross and others in saying you should go for a sail (I wish I could!), but keep an eye out for weather developing in your path and have a plan for where you may have to put in to sit it out. Be careful but have fun.
weather to creep up on you and catch you totally off guard. Sure, mid-to-late summer line squalls can come up fast, but even those can been seen developing some distance away. My VHF radio has a "Weather Alert" feature that works really well in terms of early warning. If you have that feature, keep an ear out for warnings and an eye on the horizon for storm clouds. So, I join Ross and others in saying you should go for a sail (I wish I could!), but keep an eye out for weather developing in your path and have a plan for where you may have to put in to sit it out. Be careful but have fun.
Let The Big Cat Hop!
tom, A forecast like that in my area is ideal. They predict 18 and it will be 20-22 gusting to the high 20's/low 30's. We usually get out early to settle in as the wind picks up through the morning and into the afternoon here. We don't stray to far but have a ball running around in front of the weather. Hardest part for us is getting back into the slip but I've found if I wait until I'm close enough to be heard and shout 'Ramming Speed' as I turn into the fairway I have plenty of help by the time I reach my slip. I vote> Go for it!
tom, A forecast like that in my area is ideal. They predict 18 and it will be 20-22 gusting to the high 20's/low 30's. We usually get out early to settle in as the wind picks up through the morning and into the afternoon here. We don't stray to far but have a ball running around in front of the weather. Hardest part for us is getting back into the slip but I've found if I wait until I'm close enough to be heard and shout 'Ramming Speed' as I turn into the fairway I have plenty of help by the time I reach my slip. I vote> Go for it!
Weathermen?
How often are they on the money w/ their forecast? Go out early, have a blast, monitor the conditions and allow plenty of time for the return leg. Right now, your forecast in this neck of the woods is just a dream, take advantage of it.
How often are they on the money w/ their forecast? Go out early, have a blast, monitor the conditions and allow plenty of time for the return leg. Right now, your forecast in this neck of the woods is just a dream, take advantage of it.
Weather foecasting
Weather Underground is pretty reliable for tracking short-term severe weather features like cold fronts, squall lines and thunderstorms here in central Florida. It reminds me of the navigation radar used in aircraft to avoid thunderstorms. You can also get live VIPR or Doppler radar from Weather Channel or TV station websites. For medium-term wind-speed forecasts (up to a week out) I use SailFlow, which has also proven to be quite reliable here in central Florida. SailFlow plots measured wind against the forecast so you can see how accurate it was (a very nice feature). I'd suggest monitoring both of them for a couple of weeks to see how accurate they are in your local area. That should give you a good idea of how much you can rely on the forecast information. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
Weather Underground is pretty reliable for tracking short-term severe weather features like cold fronts, squall lines and thunderstorms here in central Florida. It reminds me of the navigation radar used in aircraft to avoid thunderstorms. You can also get live VIPR or Doppler radar from Weather Channel or TV station websites. For medium-term wind-speed forecasts (up to a week out) I use SailFlow, which has also proven to be quite reliable here in central Florida. SailFlow plots measured wind against the forecast so you can see how accurate it was (a very nice feature). I'd suggest monitoring both of them for a couple of weeks to see how accurate they are in your local area. That should give you a good idea of how much you can rely on the forecast information. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
"Foecasting"?
Throwing my enemies overboard? Of course, all the forecasts and technology in the world are no substitute for keeping a weather eye out. That is by far your most reliable source of information. Peter H23 "Raven"
Throwing my enemies overboard? Of course, all the forecasts and technology in the world are no substitute for keeping a weather eye out. That is by far your most reliable source of information. Peter H23 "Raven"
We had a Good Day
It was a windy and we sailed al day with a reefed main. Sometimes we unrolled the jib all the way sometimes part way. It was a blast and a couple other boats came out to play. We sailed from 11 until about 3 and then all three boats went in at the same time. We sailed over to the entrance of the marina's cove several times to go in and then said just one more trip across the lake. But as it got close to 3 the gust got up to about 30kts with about 20kts steady and we had had enough. Tied her up well and I hope that she stays put as it is supposed to blow all night. Chance of tornados too. If we were real sailers we would have spent the night.
It was a windy and we sailed al day with a reefed main. Sometimes we unrolled the jib all the way sometimes part way. It was a blast and a couple other boats came out to play. We sailed from 11 until about 3 and then all three boats went in at the same time. We sailed over to the entrance of the marina's cove several times to go in and then said just one more trip across the lake. But as it got close to 3 the gust got up to about 30kts with about 20kts steady and we had had enough. Tied her up well and I hope that she stays put as it is supposed to blow all night. Chance of tornados too. If we were real sailers we would have spent the night.
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