Yes... this was one tough quiz! Did you run the table and ace them all? Or were you shocked at how many you couldn't answer correctly? Are you now resolved to read, ask, or learn more about weather? Did all of the questions make sense to you, or are sure there's a different answer than the one provided? Share your experience here. To view the combined scores of all participants go to: http://www.sailboatowners.com/quiz/quizresults.tpl?fno=400 If you haven't taken the quiz yet paste the appropriate link into your browser: Catalina owners: http://www.sailboatowners.com/contest/index.tpl?fno=20 Hunter owners: http://www.sailboatowners.com/contest/index.tpl?fno=0 Beneteau owners: http://www.sailboatowners.com/contest/index.tpl?fno=40 Macgregor owners: http://www.sailboatowners.com/contest/index.tpl?fno=80 Owners of all other sailboats: http://www.sailboatowners.com/contest/index.tpl?fno=400
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Direction to sail w/ impending gale
Question #7 In the northern hemisphere most storm tracks are easterly and northerly. With a gale approaching sailing north will most likely intersect the storm. I'll sail south thank you.
Question #7 In the northern hemisphere most storm tracks are easterly and northerly. With a gale approaching sailing north will most likely intersect the storm. I'll sail south thank you.
# 7 Sail South as well
If the wind is from the west that would put the centre of the low to the north so it would make sense to sail south.
If the wind is from the west that would put the centre of the low to the north so it would make sense to sail south.
What the heck ?
What is this "if the wind is at your back where is low pressure?" If the wind is at my back the air pressure is lowest in front of me, on the lee side of my body. Am I missing something?
What is this "if the wind is at your back where is low pressure?" If the wind is at my back the air pressure is lowest in front of me, on the lee side of my body. Am I missing something?
Going North Worst Direction
Wouldn't sailing north place you directly in the worst quadrant of the Low? If the low is approaching from the west, I think I'll be trying to avoid that quadrant.
Wouldn't sailing north place you directly in the worst quadrant of the Low? If the low is approaching from the west, I think I'll be trying to avoid that quadrant.
I would sail north - now that I think about it....
This answer depends on where the centre of the low is. Question 8 iindicates that the low is approaching from due west - this means that the centre is directly behind us. In this case, the wind is coming from the south as it would if a low is approaching with the centre of the low directly to the west. (See question 8). Heading south means beating into a gale. On the other hand, if the wind was due west then I would sail south as the centre of the low would be to the North. I got the wrong answer as I did not read the question correctly. I think I did the same thing as Don did - I read that the wind was from the west in which case going south was correct. I would have preferred that the question give the wind direction and the fact that a gale is coming. It is rare that a skipper (without up to date weather maps) will know exactly which way the centre of the low bears except by observed wind direction and knowledge that a strong low is on the way via the radio and barometer. This is only a mild criticism - I really do like these little quizes. The one on anchoring was excellent. It is a great review and gets people thinking about important things. Finally, one of the ways to know where a low is - that I was taught many years ago - was that if you know a low is coming and you face the wind - the low is in your right hip pocket (at sea level - at higher elevations it is to your right). Thus if your back is to the wind it is to the left which was the answer to question 8.
This answer depends on where the centre of the low is. Question 8 iindicates that the low is approaching from due west - this means that the centre is directly behind us. In this case, the wind is coming from the south as it would if a low is approaching with the centre of the low directly to the west. (See question 8). Heading south means beating into a gale. On the other hand, if the wind was due west then I would sail south as the centre of the low would be to the North. I got the wrong answer as I did not read the question correctly. I think I did the same thing as Don did - I read that the wind was from the west in which case going south was correct. I would have preferred that the question give the wind direction and the fact that a gale is coming. It is rare that a skipper (without up to date weather maps) will know exactly which way the centre of the low bears except by observed wind direction and knowledge that a strong low is on the way via the radio and barometer. This is only a mild criticism - I really do like these little quizes. The one on anchoring was excellent. It is a great review and gets people thinking about important things. Finally, one of the ways to know where a low is - that I was taught many years ago - was that if you know a low is coming and you face the wind - the low is in your right hip pocket (at sea level - at higher elevations it is to your right). Thus if your back is to the wind it is to the left which was the answer to question 8.
RE: What the heck!
Low pressure's in the Northern hemisphere rotate counter-clockwise. So if the wind is on your back and it's an approaching low, you are standing on the eastern perimeter of the low, facing north, and the low is approaching from the west, which is on your left. On your right will be a high pressure. The idea is to always put the wind on your back. To the left is a low, to the right is a high. The same theory works with highs which rotate in the northern hemisphere in a clockwise direction.
Low pressure's in the Northern hemisphere rotate counter-clockwise. So if the wind is on your back and it's an approaching low, you are standing on the eastern perimeter of the low, facing north, and the low is approaching from the west, which is on your left. On your right will be a high pressure. The idea is to always put the wind on your back. To the left is a low, to the right is a high. The same theory works with highs which rotate in the northern hemisphere in a clockwise direction.
Sailing North would be correct
I re-read the question. I originally read it as the wind was from the West but in fact the low is due west and tracking west to east. This would mean the wind is currently from the south and as the storm approaches the wind will move to the east. Running with the wind to the North would therefore be correct if the storm track stayed directly from the west to east.
I re-read the question. I originally read it as the wind was from the West but in fact the low is due west and tracking west to east. This would mean the wind is currently from the south and as the storm approaches the wind will move to the east. Running with the wind to the North would therefore be correct if the storm track stayed directly from the west to east.
Which way's up?
Well, north, south east or west? Which direction am I heading and what is my motivation to get where I am going? If I am racing and have a sturdy boat and crew, I may chose to ride the push. If I need to escape the gale I am not going to head north into the nasty quadrant. I'd try to keep the wind abaft the beam and eek south. I am assuming that the low will move east and possibly n.east as most lows opt to run. I don't 'get' why the correct answer is north?
Well, north, south east or west? Which direction am I heading and what is my motivation to get where I am going? If I am racing and have a sturdy boat and crew, I may chose to ride the push. If I need to escape the gale I am not going to head north into the nasty quadrant. I'd try to keep the wind abaft the beam and eek south. I am assuming that the low will move east and possibly n.east as most lows opt to run. I don't 'get' why the correct answer is north?
You are right - #8 - wind will be on your left!!
That was my only goof. I should have thought a little harder. Kind of hard to concentrate today with 40 to 50 knot gusts from the south-east blowing snow around in white-out conditions. Temp here is down to minus 29 at the moment. Oh well - launch is only 93 days away. Cheers all,
That was my only goof. I should have thought a little harder. Kind of hard to concentrate today with 40 to 50 knot gusts from the south-east blowing snow around in white-out conditions. Temp here is down to minus 29 at the moment. Oh well - launch is only 93 days away. Cheers all,
Not an évidence
Not an évidence to answer when you sail inshore only !!!no expérience at all in open sea but it will come sometime for sure !! See you Jean !
Not an évidence to answer when you sail inshore only !!!no expérience at all in open sea but it will come sometime for sure !! See you Jean !
Red Sky Warning
Sailers take warning! Although I too was raised with the tell-tale rhyme about red skies forcasting gloom or glee, a better bit of advise from an experienced trans-atlantic sailor; David W. Shaw in Daring the Sea states that this is fiction. I have studied weather myself and can attest to the scientific reasons for a red sky - but to associate that with impending weather is a mistake! Sorry Gary Wyngarden, there's more to this than Grandpa's whiskers.
Sailers take warning! Although I too was raised with the tell-tale rhyme about red skies forcasting gloom or glee, a better bit of advise from an experienced trans-atlantic sailor; David W. Shaw in Daring the Sea states that this is fiction. I have studied weather myself and can attest to the scientific reasons for a red sky - but to associate that with impending weather is a mistake! Sorry Gary Wyngarden, there's more to this than Grandpa's whiskers.
Red Sky Warning
Red Sky at night is a sailors delight Red Sky in the morning sailors take warning is the way the rhyme goes. now if its so or not ... it has been around for many many years. my two cents.
Red Sky at night is a sailors delight Red Sky in the morning sailors take warning is the way the rhyme goes. now if its so or not ... it has been around for many many years. my two cents.
Honestly, red sky at night means good weather
in the northern hemisphere. I recall NO exceptions in my life. (baby boomer)
in the northern hemisphere. I recall NO exceptions in my life. (baby boomer)
Fred is correct as usual!!!
This ancient red sky at night saying is actually in the Bible (Matthew XVI:2-3) Because sailors were so dependent upon the wind and because most of their education in the old days was oral, it is not surprising to see the number of rhymes that predict the weather. The red sky in the morning saying is less reliable however. Here are some more old sayings that predict the weather - - A veering wind will clear the sky; A backing wind says storms are nigh. - Sea gull, sea gull, sit on the sand, It's a sign of rain when you are at hand. - The higher the clouds, the better the weather - Halo around the sun or moon, It is going to rain very soon. - Our Atlantic maritimers say of their hurricane season: June too soon, July stand by, August look out, September, you'll remember. Cheers,
This ancient red sky at night saying is actually in the Bible (Matthew XVI:2-3) Because sailors were so dependent upon the wind and because most of their education in the old days was oral, it is not surprising to see the number of rhymes that predict the weather. The red sky in the morning saying is less reliable however. Here are some more old sayings that predict the weather - - A veering wind will clear the sky; A backing wind says storms are nigh. - Sea gull, sea gull, sit on the sand, It's a sign of rain when you are at hand. - The higher the clouds, the better the weather - Halo around the sun or moon, It is going to rain very soon. - Our Atlantic maritimers say of their hurricane season: June too soon, July stand by, August look out, September, you'll remember. Cheers,
Comments on Questions and Answers
Whither the Weather Ok gang, here are my usual comments on the questions, answers and responses. 1. Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning. Red sky at night, sailors delight. In the Annapolis Book of Seamanship, John Rousmaniere says this one is for real. With a clear red sunset to the West of the observer, good weather is in the offing. With 1110 test results in, 61% got this right. Oh, you want to know about red sky in the morning? Have to wait for another quiz! 2. Most weather fronts move from West to East. So if you want to know what's comin' at ya, keep an eye on the Western sky. 77% got this right. 3. "High thin clouds either in white filaments or patches and narrow bands" are Chapman's description of Cirrus clouds. 61% got this right. 4. Chapman also reports that gradually lowering cirrus clouds are a sign of an impending warm front. 43% got this right. 5. Sailing in the lee of a hilly island you are partially sheltered from the wind. Heading into an open channel where winds are funneled creates a phenomenon Environment Canada calls "Gap Winds" where "wind speed will increase and may even double." (Marine Weather Hazards Manual published by Environment Canada). The prudent sailor will anticipate such an effect. 37% got this right. 6. In the Northern Hemisphere air flow in a low pressure system is counterclockwise (many sources). Conversely air flow in a high pressure system is clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. For our friends in the Land Down Under, the reverse is true and a translation for our Canadian friends: counterclockwise equals anticlockwise. 71% got this right. 7. Ah the controversial one. The question says the low is approaching your boat from due West of your position. Therefore the wind will be blowing from a southerly direction, maybe southeast depending on how far away you are. In the Annapolis Book of Seamanship, Rousmaniere shows "the dangerous semicircle" as the leading (Eastern) edge and Southern edge. To avoid the worst of it, get away from the dangerous semicircle by sailing at right angles to the storm as fast as possible. Sailing North will permit a broad reach which will be faster and take you away from the Southern edge. Since a low pressure system packing gale force winds will likely move at 25 to 30 knots over the surface, you can't run away from it by heading East. 40% got this right. 8. This is called The Buys-Ballot Law: In the Northern Hemisphere, with the wind at your back, low pressure will be to your left. Just the opposite in the Southern Hemisphere. Why is this important to know? See question 7. If you know where the center of low pressure is, you can sail away from it. 53% got this right. 9. Environment Canada calls the effect described in the question a "Corner Effect" and says you should anticipate a 25% increase around points and headlands when the wind is at your back and land is to starboard. Again the prudent mariner will anticipate this effect which will increase the wind's force on your sails by more than 50% (1.25 times 1.25). 36% got this right. 10. Land heats up faster than the water causing an updraft that pulls wind into the created vacuum off the water. Conversely at night, the land cools down faster than the water creating the opposite effect. Onshore breeze during the day. Offshore breeze at night. Could be important for your anchoring strategy. 60% got this right. As always, we hope you had fun and maybe learned something. Gary Wyngarden
Whither the Weather Ok gang, here are my usual comments on the questions, answers and responses. 1. Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning. Red sky at night, sailors delight. In the Annapolis Book of Seamanship, John Rousmaniere says this one is for real. With a clear red sunset to the West of the observer, good weather is in the offing. With 1110 test results in, 61% got this right. Oh, you want to know about red sky in the morning? Have to wait for another quiz! 2. Most weather fronts move from West to East. So if you want to know what's comin' at ya, keep an eye on the Western sky. 77% got this right. 3. "High thin clouds either in white filaments or patches and narrow bands" are Chapman's description of Cirrus clouds. 61% got this right. 4. Chapman also reports that gradually lowering cirrus clouds are a sign of an impending warm front. 43% got this right. 5. Sailing in the lee of a hilly island you are partially sheltered from the wind. Heading into an open channel where winds are funneled creates a phenomenon Environment Canada calls "Gap Winds" where "wind speed will increase and may even double." (Marine Weather Hazards Manual published by Environment Canada). The prudent sailor will anticipate such an effect. 37% got this right. 6. In the Northern Hemisphere air flow in a low pressure system is counterclockwise (many sources). Conversely air flow in a high pressure system is clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. For our friends in the Land Down Under, the reverse is true and a translation for our Canadian friends: counterclockwise equals anticlockwise. 71% got this right. 7. Ah the controversial one. The question says the low is approaching your boat from due West of your position. Therefore the wind will be blowing from a southerly direction, maybe southeast depending on how far away you are. In the Annapolis Book of Seamanship, Rousmaniere shows "the dangerous semicircle" as the leading (Eastern) edge and Southern edge. To avoid the worst of it, get away from the dangerous semicircle by sailing at right angles to the storm as fast as possible. Sailing North will permit a broad reach which will be faster and take you away from the Southern edge. Since a low pressure system packing gale force winds will likely move at 25 to 30 knots over the surface, you can't run away from it by heading East. 40% got this right. 8. This is called The Buys-Ballot Law: In the Northern Hemisphere, with the wind at your back, low pressure will be to your left. Just the opposite in the Southern Hemisphere. Why is this important to know? See question 7. If you know where the center of low pressure is, you can sail away from it. 53% got this right. 9. Environment Canada calls the effect described in the question a "Corner Effect" and says you should anticipate a 25% increase around points and headlands when the wind is at your back and land is to starboard. Again the prudent mariner will anticipate this effect which will increase the wind's force on your sails by more than 50% (1.25 times 1.25). 36% got this right. 10. Land heats up faster than the water causing an updraft that pulls wind into the created vacuum off the water. Conversely at night, the land cools down faster than the water creating the opposite effect. Onshore breeze during the day. Offshore breeze at night. Could be important for your anchoring strategy. 60% got this right. As always, we hope you had fun and maybe learned something. Gary Wyngarden
Good grammar
I didn't choose "Increase up to double it’s current velocity" because the grammar ain't no good. Let's use "its" and "it's" correctly. OK, I didn't get 100%, so I'll go back and study my weather.
I didn't choose "Increase up to double it’s current velocity" because the grammar ain't no good. Let's use "its" and "it's" correctly. OK, I didn't get 100%, so I'll go back and study my weather.
Thanks again, Gary
More important than my score was the fact that once again I've learned something new from my mistakes. Thanks again, and keep those quizzes coming! Peter H23 "Raven"
More important than my score was the fact that once again I've learned something new from my mistakes. Thanks again, and keep those quizzes coming! Peter H23 "Raven"
Final results
Final results for the weather quiz ending february 1, 2004: How many questions did you answer correctly on the weather quiz? 30% 4 - 5 28% 6 - 7 21% 0 - 3 20% 8 or more 1,791 owners responding
Final results for the weather quiz ending february 1, 2004: How many questions did you answer correctly on the weather quiz? 30% 4 - 5 28% 6 - 7 21% 0 - 3 20% 8 or more 1,791 owners responding
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