• Sailing is all about the Weather.

    Big into the exploration of Atlantic Hurricanes since Katrina came uninvited into his world, James (Jim) Gurley (JamesG161) has followed every Tropical Storm birthed in Atlantic, Gulf and Caribbean waters since. Being a boater, he knows that we often need more time to prepare than we get from the TV weather folk. Jim relies on the science of storm development to share early warning info with friends and fellow boaters.

    Early in 2018, Jim and John Shepard, (JSSailem) started to chat about the weather data available. John asked Jim to help forecast Pacific NW storms, and this morphed into discussions on weather forecasting.

    For John, sailing in the PNW is sometimes hit and miss. One day is ugly, then a string of beautiful days but no wind, followed by a series of blue-sky days and 12 knot breezes. Being ready for those great sailing days means you need to look to the Pacific Ocean and what is brewing. John has been into Pacific NW Weather since the 1970’s when his first PNW November storm hit bringing more than 40 days and 40 nights of continual rain.

    Together we want to share information, new APPs, safety, and thoughts about letting the weather help you. Identify some of the resources for sailors and help prepare you for your next sailboat outing.

    It is far better to go out on the water knowing what to expect in weather terms, than to be out on the water and see dark ominous clouds suddenly appear, unprepared.

Sahara Dust

Jan 1, 2006
7,364
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
OK gurus: Local weather here in FL has started talking about the Sarah dust anew (Or at least the first time this year I've heard). They are crediting the phenomenon with a modest drop in humidity here on the East coast. I remember discussions of Sahara dust suppressing hurricane development in past years.
Please update us on the current state of the dust if possible and how it might affect humidity here and hurricane development.
 
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JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,711
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
suppressing hurricane development in past years.
:plus:

Current conditions in Florida are GOOD per the air monitoring Station there = 26

Screenshot 2023-07-07 at 7.23.44 AM.png


Holding drier area now to surpress Hurricanes plus the earlier storms cooled the waters too.

Jim...
 
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Sep 25, 2008
7,268
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
From my limited knowledge, the air particulate samplers are at ground level and the dust is generally at upper levels so the impact on weather may differ from that on people
 
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May 24, 2004
7,140
CC 30 South Florida
It is in the Caribbean and should be in Florida in a week or two. Yes it is composed of dry air and accompanying wind sheer which tend to dampen Hurricane development. The plumes come every 3 to 5 days during the peak months of June-August. Not all of them will reach Florida. The storm forecasters are aware of these phenomenon but nevertheless have upped their predictions in number of storms and anticipated intensity so the impact of the Saharan Desert plumes may not be as strong as it may seem now.
 

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,711
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
Update on the Sahara Dust.

saharan_dust_car_29.png


You can see the LOW pressure in upper Right which is now Invest 94L :facepalm:

Jim..
 
Jan 1, 2006
7,364
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
Interesting juxtaposition.
Today the gradient wind here in Jensen Beach is forecast to be light Westerly possibly depriving us of a sea breeze and afternoon showers. So it's gonna be a scorcher. The humidity was less yesterday (For July in Florida) but back up today. I don't know if that correlates with dust or not.
 

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,711
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
This mornings forecast had note worthy view of Tropical Storms versus the Sahara Dust.

Screenshot 2023-08-22 at 7.55.42 AM.png


The Dust particles causes rain droplets to form, which helps remove Storm's energy.

Jim...