Lows

[Wansworth]

For those going south bit of a parentheses asGalicia is at last enveloped in rain and wind asa series of lows come in from the Atlantic.Time to hang out in the area and wait?

 

[phanakapan]

Yup- we’ve got as far as Povoa da Varzim but looks like we’ll have to stay there for the foreseeable. Who knows when we’ll get further south.

 

[Wansworth]

Local news gives wave height on Galician coast at nearly Severn metres with continuing wind and rain…….used to be normal in my time here now the gale gets a name?….new low on its way

 

[capnsensible]

Could be a bit depressing.

 

[Wansworth]

Could be a bit depressing.

No we welcome it with joy the only thing I worry about is the roof?

 

[boomerangben]

Your welcome to some of our Hebridean lows, especially as the winter goes on

 

[Daydream believer]

Would some of those heading south be going for the ARC?
Or would they have already left & passed south before now thus getting better weather?
I ask because friends of mine have paid for the 2023/4 ARC & intend to leave Bradwell mid august & coast hop the first part, We will be cruising in company from Cherbourg, CIs& on to Brest as a fairwell club cruise.
So far they have never done a night trip, or anything over 90 miles (ostend) so want to break into it gently.

 

[Wansworth]

There could well be quite a few yachts holed up in the rias

 

[capnsensible]

There could well be quite a few yachts holed up in the rias

Yup, some people we know are signed up for the ARC and storm bound in La Corunna.

 

[Wansworth]

Yup, some people we know are signed up for the ARC and storm bound in La Corunna.

And the French family In Vivero who had rudderbitten by a Orca

 

[GHA]

500mB charts can be handy for a quick glance at where the lows are likely to track in the next little while & hint at how viscous they will be >>
Mariners Weather Log Vol. 52, No. 3, December 2008

For any sailor interested in the weather beyond "my favourite weather app says".. ??

Lows look like tracking southish for a few more days ..

 

[franksingleton]

Why not use GRIBs, or the new Met Office App?

 

[GHA]

Why not use GRIBs, or the new Met Office App?

Or both!
I like a quick morning glance at upper level charts as imho it's easier to get feel for the movement rather than flicking through the surface charts to see where the lows are going. That's further south though. if the 500mB 5640m line is pointing at Galicia & not Scotland then time to look more carefully.
Plus helps a little to visualize a bit the 3d meanderings between the polar & Ferrel cells. As does looking at higher level temperatures on windy.
So both!- much more interesting ?

 

[franksingleton]

Or both!
I like a quick morning glance at upper level charts as imho it's easier to get feel for the movement rather than flicking through the surface charts to see where the lows are going. That's further south though. if the 500mB 5640m line is pointing at Galicia & not Scotland then time to look more carefully.
Plus helps a little to visualize a bit the 3d meanderings between the polar & Ferrel cells. As does looking at higher level temperatures on windy.
So both!- much more interesting ?

I suppose that my point, really, was that the human brain cannot beat the computer models as regards such matters as movement of a low, its development etc. I have seen some ridiculous claims with people trying to apply ideas that date back to the late 40s/early 50s. It ,at be interesting from an academic viewpoint but not useful.

 

[Wansworth]

The weather lady on Galician news has a habit of standing right in front of where the lowes are coming?

 

[GHA]

I suppose that my point, really, was that the human brain cannot beat the computer models as regards such matters as movement of a low, its development etc. I have seen some ridiculous claims with people trying to apply ideas that date back to the late 40s/early 50s. It ,at be interesting from an academic viewpoint but not useful.

Well I find it very useful ? , and interesting.
One occasional useful feature in 500mB is they will occasionally hint at a cut off low forming down of Morocco before it shows up on the gribs/surface synoptics which can be handy to get ready if you want to head north up the Portuguese coast.

 

[capnsensible]

The weather lady on Galician news has a habit of standing right in front of where the lowes are coming?

 

[franksingleton]

Well I find it very useful ? , and interesting.
One occasional useful feature in 500mB is they will occasionally hint at a cut off low forming down of Morocco before it shows up on the gribs/surface synoptics which can be handy to get ready if you want to head north up the Portuguese coast.

Well, I guess that I am more interested in what the models are saying than a hint that may or may not be well founded based on the 500nPa level. Models use data globally from the surface up to 80km, not just one level. They apply the best science available. They give the best forecast possible but not the best possible forecast.