Glorious weather

Michael Rogers · 16 Jul 2013, 15:17

We haven't had a summer like this since -? Lovely, and I'm not a whinger by nature, but I'm going to have a quick whinge, to make me feel better (?), about...... the weather.

Those of you who sensibly live nearer the sea than I do are probably enjoying cooling and SAILABLE winds, around F3-4 probably, for at least some of the day. We had the same lovely weather in Amsterdam the weekend before last (the w/e after that super Teifi Rally), and a glorious breeze blew in off the sea the entire time. We trundled out into the countryside on hired bikes, and dawdled along a polder watching countless sails (some on little curved gaffs and with bluff bows and leeboards below them) heeling gently in the breeze on a wide expanse of ruffled blue.......

Here, now, in centralish Cheshire, the sun smiles hotly, and an occasional gust of warm air chases some leaves on our weeping willow, reaching F2 for about 30 seconds before giving up. I know (because I've tried it) that very intermittent zephyrs over the surface of the lake at Tatton do not a sailing experience make, and it's too hot to practise rowing. I feel an all-day outing to Beaumaris or Abersoch coming on.

Meanwhile, you sea-breeze enjoyers, make the most of it if you can (I speak as one of the noble army of not-having-to-work-ers, i.e. retired) and, as you hear gurgling water at the forefoot bespeaking a happy boat in its element, spare a thought for us sweltering inlanders . And here's to LOTS of sailing this wondrous summer.

End of whinge. Do I feel better for it? Errr.....ummm....

Michael

Tony · 16 Jul 2013, 17:59

Hi, Mike.
I know just how you feel.
Cant get much further inland than Carsington. We're 200m up in the White Peak overlooked by disused quarries and neolithic burial mounds. Not sure if that accounts for the peculiar winds we get in warm weather.

On a day like today you can be sure of enough wind to get you as far as possible from the pontoon.
It will then spin round 180 degs a few times before dying completely.

No need to worry, though. After a hot, sweaty row back - made worse by the 2 tons of weed you've picked up on the rudder without noticing - the wind WILL come back, (smack on the nose, of course) when you are 30 m from the pontoon.
Hoist the sails and it will die away again.
Keep rowing and it'll rise to a f7 sirocco.

Which ever option you choose, some kid in a Pico will sail past you and step elegantly, without a backward glance, on to the pontoon in the only available space......

garethrow · 16 Jul 2013, 21:04

Can confirm Michael that the sea breezes on the Teifi Estuary have been very pleaseant over the weekend. Ship's chocolate supply going a bit soft though.

Regards

Gareth

Julian Swindell · 17 Jul 2013, 22:06

As you can see. it has been pretty grim off Poole...
http://youtu.be/L1W2evzVmhA

Michael Rogers · 17 Jul 2013, 23:57

Gareth, Julian

Was the sailing weather you've experienced actually forecast for you (off the Teifi and Poole respectively)? I ask because, having planned to dash off to Beaumaris tomorrow, the Met Office give winds of 5 - 6mph (= F2) , at least until quite late in the afternoon and, Beaumaris having quite strong tides etc (being at the top end of the Menai Straits), I'm not sure that is enough to avoid potential difficulties. Looking at the 5 day forecasts for a number of coastal places I might go looking for wind, very light winds are predicted into next week.

What I don't know is whether the MO can accurately forecast the strength of any 'sea breeze' effect as a result of the now very hot weather on shore and include its contribution in their forecasts, or whether it is an unpredictable 'add on' which they therefore leave out. Can anyone enlighten me?

Beaumaris is 1 1/2 hours each way from here, so not exactly just down the road. However, if F2 PLUS
a nice sea breeze effect, which might then make up to a F3-4, was likely, I'd be off early like the proverbial shot.

Meanwhile (grits teeth into a generous smile), all those with access to wind, do go on enjoying it!

Michael

Graham W · 18 Jul 2013, 04:50

Michael,

I think specialist websites like Windfinder http://www.windfinder.com/weatherforecast/beaumaris and WindGuru http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=47841 make a stab at forecasting local conditions, including sea breezes. The MO seems to be a bit more broad brush.

Michael Rogers · 18 Jul 2013, 09:32

Graham

Thanks. I must come across as naive, I hadn't discovered Windfinder. Very helpful for sailing with their preoccupation with wind. They suggest F2-3 at Beaumaris today, Saturday in partic looking more promising. I don't know what their track record is like, but I feel better equipped now for decision times.

Michael

Matthew P · 18 Jul 2013, 10:20

http://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/bala forecast for Saturday at Lake Bala is 9mph average gusting 14 mph and 25C.

I'll be launching from Bala SC (if they let me in) about 11am - oars at the ready in case the wind is a myth. Anyone else likely to be there?

Matthew

Julian Swindell · 18 Jul 2013, 11:22

You need to be careful with sites which offer fine scale weather predictions. They are using the same data as all other sites, but just run it through different computer algorithms. Broad brush predictions actually give you a more reliable idea of what might happen. The fine scale ones really just pretend that they actually know what will happen. The winds off Poole weren't actually predicted. I think they are mainly sea breezes, which may, or may not, develop, and could blow one way, or the other. I find the best check on conditions is to look at a webcam for the area, if there is one, and a live weather station. Poole has both at:

http://www.pooleharbourweather.com/webcam.aspx

Brian Robertson · 22 Jul 2013, 23:00

A note on the weather from more northerly climes. Just returned from a week cruising on the Scottish west coast - Oban, Mull, Ardnamurchan, etc. Perfect weather, low to mid 20's, clear blue skies (after the early morning mist had lifted) and steady F3/4 winds. And all this with a backdrop of stunning scenery - it doesn't get much better than this!

Only problem cruising in a SwallowBoat is that you don't get much peace. There was a constant stream of fellow sailors admiring the boat and asking details. Matt, we need to talk about commission!