Strange Winter?

sail sfbay · Feb 15, 2020

Maybe not on point but I monitor the weather conditions...........temperature, wind speed, gust speed, wind direction and sky condition, by wherever I sail on "Windalert". You can select multiple "favorites" to monitor, say Richmond Yacht Club near where my boat is berthed, Golden Gate Bridge, etc. It also shows tides.

WindAlert

Don't miss a day on the water or in the air! WindAlert makes it easy for you to find the wind and weather data you're after no matter where you are.

www.windalert.com

Hunter216 · Feb 15, 2020

JamesG161 said:
Snap on and Snap off

Can you elaborate on this term?

Hunter216 · Feb 15, 2020

JamesG161 said:
I meant rapid changes to most North America.

One day snow storm[ Snap on] next day Sunshine and melt [Snap off]

Not so much very North USA and Canada.

It was the Dip of the Jet Stream to the South that was Snap on.
Jim...

Thanks.
It’s actually been that kind of winter here in KIngston Ont. A few days of serious cold/snow then longer periods of above freezing temps.

shemandr · Feb 15, 2020

Seems to fit with Southern Florida where temps have been above average or even near record highs. But if that nasty old jet stream allows cool air down we're getting out our jackets.

jssailem · Feb 15, 2020

Jim’s Snap-On Snap-Off weather is triggered by the interplay between a couple of weather phenomenon.

Jet Stream
Polar Vortex
North Pacific High

The way these 3 interplay creates the weather we experence.

Sometimes the Jet Stream flows in direct lines, sometimes it wobbles.

When the wobble occurs we can see the Jet Steam dip down across the country and “snap-On” winter... From Acuweather....

When the polar vortex-a pool of bitter air that often sits over the North Pole during winter, weakens or becomes elongated, the frigid air that is normally locked up above the Arctic Circle can eventually break loose and move southward.

There is at least one factor working against a large sweep of frigid air into the Eastern states, especially across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic.

An area of high pressure at most levels of the atmosphere has persisted in the southwestern Atlantic this winter -- and it has been helping to pump mild air up the Eastern Seaboard. Indications are that this pattern may continue during much of February.

The earth has sections of air movement.

And a jet stream of air that pushes or drags the High’s or Lows which bring our weather.

Hunter216 · Feb 16, 2020

Four times this winter season the ice has formed and broken up. Not “typical” at all.

walt · Feb 16, 2020

Global stranging LOL?

Last two years the polar vortex has been very strong and we have had cooler than normal winters in Western Arizona. Cant show a link for that.. just a perception. I watch what happens in South Park Colorado and its also been colder than normal there this winter.

I like to show links so you know its not just something I heard on the radio but this is interesting and from this link Polar Vortex Grows Arctic Sea Ice to 10-Year High, but There's a Catch | The Weather Channel

Ice coverage in the Arctic Ocean is currently the highest it has been since 2010 with support from the strongest polar vortex on record.

Ice coverage in the Artic increased recently meanwhile we just had the warmest global January on record (always a link so you know where the info came from) January 2020 was Earth’s hottest January on record | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

In the span of 141 years of climate records, there has never been a warmer January than last month, according to scientists at NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information.

Certainly strange...

llaprade01 · Mar 2, 2020

As a fairly new cruiser, I find myself overwhelmed with weather data. Your post was certainly informed and helpful. Thank you. However, I am not sure I can be helpful to anyone reading this string. We are on a six-year journey, starting with the Sea of “Cortez and from there, the Atlantic and from there the Pacific. We hail out of San Diego. We use PredictWind for the most part, but supplement that with local forecasts and sail nets. So far we have done pretty well. However, we would like to take our tools to the next level and are considering using a weather forecasting service. Could you let us know your experience with these types of services, and if you would recommend them to supplement our planning? Thank you. Larry

jssailem · Mar 2, 2020

Good Morning Larry
We are not designed to be a “Weather Forecasting Service“. I am sorry if we gave you that impression.

We are a discussion site to help all sailors improve their weather understanding. A place to ask questions. When certain weather events present themselves, we try to help the members understand what is happening and how they can become better prepared for the events by evaluating the volumes of data and filtering the information. In a sense helping sailors to identify relevant information to their needs. These are skills we all need as sailors.

Your 6 year cruising plan sounds exciting. Your will be sailing through some beautiful waters. Are you planning a run through the Canal or around the Southern tip of South America? The waters you will explore each have regional dependency in producing the “usual“ weather you will experience. The Sea of Cortez is great water to build that knowledge base. Predict Wind is a great tool. I also use “Windy” and the NOAA sites.

While Climate Change is a subject popular in the news, from a Sailor’s point of view knowing the historical or “Normal” weather for an area is more critical. Reading the historical weather patterns, i.e. winds, waves, storm times of the year, are more relevant in being able to understand current patterns as they develop or are impacting your cruise passage.

I look forward to your participation in this site and sharing your cruising experiences.

Will Gilmore · Apr 27, 2020

JamesG161 said:
...as most are seeing Springtime early.

Still Winter here in northern NE.

It has definately been

JamesG161 said:
Snap on and Snap off

This Spring.

-Will (Dragonfly)

jssailem · Apr 27, 2020

Spring sprung here in the PacificNW. It is a mixture of beautiful days like yesterday

to Grey, windy and rain. More suited to a rain slicker than a short sleeved polo shirt.

But the saying says April showers will bring May flowers. So I remain optimistic.

Will Gilmore · May 9, 2020

Winter is back again.
Another over night transformation.

-Will (Dragonfly)

jssailem · May 9, 2020

Will. You live too far north.
We had a lovely day yesterday. Blue sky Sunshine. 80 degrees. Grilled Dinner on the deck. A respite in time.

Expecting a 20 degree drop on late Sunday and rain in buckets.

Snow is not bad unless you put your gear away early in hopes of a warm spring day.

Will Gilmore · May 9, 2020

My current concern is that we just installed 5 new bee packages into hives a few days ago. They don't have the numbers to really keep themselves warm and haven't had a chance to seal up their new home. The winds are expected to gust up to 35 mph with a high 37 F.

Those little girls are getting a very rough start.

-Will (Dragonfly)