European air currents – it goes around
When sailing in Europe, the following contexts can help you to better understand weather phenomena overall. Various air currents converge over Europe. We are dealing with southerly currents that can be very warm. These are called tropical-continental air masses. In addition, there are tropical and maritime crowds across the Atlantic from the southwest. Polar-maritime currents reach us from the northwest. And the arctic-maritime air comes rolling in from the north. Polar-continental masses pour into Europe from the east.
Do you want to know what the weather is like – it’s worth taking a look at the sky
Carefully studying the weather forecast is an essential task of every sailor! Therefore it is important in any case that you can draw the right conclusions from the cloud landscape. Then you are well prepared and can really enjoy your trip right from the start. Before going on a trip, it is good to study the weather. Knowledge of cloud types and shapes will help you here. The so-called “cumuli” are very common. If these are very low, they can indicate a change in the weather. If they get bigger, rain showers combined with stronger gusts can be expected.
Weather forecast made easy
As a sailor, find out about the weather phenomena that can occur in your sailing area. How do low pressure areas arise and what are anticyclones? How do thunderstorms or storms arise? In the beginning, you can deal with the weather system that is influenced by land masses. The local warming of a coast by morning sunshine creates convection currents. These heat up over the land and rise (air pressure drops). Above the lake we have relatively cooler air moving into the zone of lower air pressure. This creates a cycle that is driven by the convection currents: Sea wind! The clouds that mark the top of the convection currents are called cumulus clouds.
Beware of downdrafts – you have to prepare for this near the coast!
Are you planning a trip near the coast? Here you are well advised to know about downwinds. Strong winds are particularly common in steep coastal areas. These are formed at night when the land cools down quickly. Cold air flows down over the cliffs. Here the downwind is enriched with land wind. The warm air mass rises above the water (low pressure arises).