Atlantic blog: Weather with Chris Tibbs

19/11 Position: 28°7´24"N 15°25´30"W

I have attended my first lecture, "Route & Weather for an Atlantic crossing", with Chris Tibbs. Two incredibly rewarding hours about the weather we can expect.

Across the Atlantic we use the trade winds to get around. Around a large high pressure in the middle of the Atlantic, the wind circulates in a clockwise direction. Down towards the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, the winds push from the east towards the Caribbean, which is very favorable for us, and up towards the western latitudes of North America and Europe. "Champagne sailing" is what they call the easterly winds, the wind right in the butt that gives good speeds through the water. But, as Chris warns, there are a few things to keep in mind: "Acceleration zones", "Squalls" and "Easterly waves".

"The 'acceleration zones' occur around the islands where strong winds can rip sails apart when you least expect it. The wind pushes around the Canary Islands and swirls as it clears the islands. Chris says that where there are no clouds, there is the accelerated wind and where the cloud cover is thick, you can basically experience a standstill.

A 'squall' is a large cloud ridge that rises like a wall into the sky. The cloud brings with it a large pressure wave with wind and lots and lots of rain. If you get a lot of sails up, as we experienced earlier in the Mediterranean when all the porcelain went to the floor and Herlog had water in the cabin, the angle of the boat's inclination is difficult not to notice. But since it is visible, we can prepare for them and take down the sails, Chris continues, take the opportunity to take a shower in the rain that follows but be quick with the shampoo bottle because it will soon be gone again.

"Easterly waves" are the most dangerous but also the rarest. A large group of squalls from the east which, if unlucky, can form hurricanes. Should this show up in the weather report, it's time to head south. However, as Chris points out, it is not hurricane season and this happens very rarely in November and December but it should still be in mind.

The gang leaves the lecture much wiser, incredibly much better prepared for our sailing than we were before.

Mathias

(photo by: Mathias Edberg)