More mistrals in the Med this year?

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Heading off to our boat in Sardinia again in a few days and it looks like yet another mistral will be blowing through although hopefully we might dodge it. We've lost days to wind and weather brought in by the mistral wind during every trip we've made to our boat this year which is unusual in our experience. So have there been more mistrals this year than previous years or have we just been unlucky?

 

[pan]

On our trips in the Balearics this summer we noticed a lot more strong winds than normal, in particular July & August, looking at passagemaker it seemed most derived from Mistrals thro' France. Even the marineros were commenting about how it was a very windy summer and marinas that would normally have space were full of visitors looking for calm berthing. The other problem was local forecasts that were inevitably wrong, westerlies were easterlies etc.etc.

 

[BartW]

Mike we have spend most of this summer in south Croatia as you know,
and the weather seemed more weird then ever before.

this year we had almost every week one windy/cloudy and or rainy day
we had two occasions with heavy thunderstorm and "ice balls" falling from the sky

I remember in the past when we used to go there, we alway's had 3 to 4 weeks without any raindrop

people living there confirmed / complained that this summer had exceptionally confused weather.
heard the same remark about other regions around the med.

not sure /know nothing about the cause,
or if there is a pattern...

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Mike we have spend most of this summer in south Croatia as you know,
and the weather seemed more weird then ever before.

That makes me feel a lot better because my SWMBO kept saying it's never like this in Croatia! In actual fact we have had 4 very good seasons in Croatia. I think during the summer of 2012 we had 45 days of boating in Croatia and not one day lost to high wind or rain. 2013 was cooler in Croatia but again very few days lost to weather. Lets hope that normal service resumes when I get back there

 

[BartW]

That makes me feel a lot better because my SWMBO kept saying it's never like this in Croatia! In actual fact we have had 4 very good seasons in Croatia. I think during the summer of 2012 we had 45 days of boating in Croatia and not one day lost to high wind or rain. 2013 was cooler in Croatia but again very few days lost to weather. Lets hope that normal service resumes when I get back there

the good thing in Croatia are the many islands,
in summer its almost alway's possible to find a route between the islands that is cheltered for strong wind,
and there are often micro climate's; sunchine in one bay, on one Island, and thunderstorm only a few miles further
we have been hiding for bad weather in a few occasions, at planing !!! speed ;-)

 

[jrudge]

We are in Mallorca now. We're has been no wind ( really none) for the past 3 days. Edge of mistral hits weds am but so far he weather has been astonishing.

 

[mcanderson]

The Nice newspapers were full of stories about the woeful weather this summer. It never hit us during our trips.

After one season in the SofF we are declaring it our best season ever and heading back down in November.

 

[MapisM]

Yes and no is my short answer to the thread title.
I mean, I'm not sure that on average the Mistral was much stronger and/or lasted longer than in other years.
But the forecasts were surely more hit and miss than ever - also short term ones.

That said, having been (and still being) onboard for most of the summer, with the only noticeable exception of August, I definitely can't complain.
In fact, one hand is more than enough to count the number of days when I wouldn't have wanted to go out because of the weather.
And that's only because when you live aboard for months, you tend to become fussy.
When I had to deal with work restrictions, I would have probably gone out also in those few "bad" days - maybe with just one or two exceptions.

Btw, autumn has been nothing short of fantastic so far.
The only reason why I never turned on the A/C is that my boat stays rather cool inside, and myself and swmbo are used to warm weather.
We had maybe 10 minutes of rain in total, if that. With close to no wind for most of the time.
And the last time we spent almost one hour swimming with no wetsuit is this afternoon!

Then again, below is what we should expect in a couple of days, according to weather forecasts...
Mind, not that a 5+ meters significant wave height is unheard of, down here.
With 300+ NM of fetch, a strong Mistral can build up that sort of waves, and then some.
But I'm curious to see if the forecasts will be accurate this time, because so far they weren't, except when the weather has been pretty stable.
Stay tuned....

 

[petem]

"ice balls" falling from the sky

Bart, the weather phenomenon is "hail", not to be confused with "sleet" see http://www.accuweather.com/en/features/trend/hail-or-sleet-how-to-tell-the-1/2930665. The "ice balls" are also known as "hail stones".

Pete

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Then again, below is what we should expect in a couple of days, according to weather forecasts...
Mind, not that a 5+ meters significant wave height is unheard of, down here.

Sh*t Mapism, you better get rid of that by the time I get there or I will ask the Italian govt for my money back

 

[Hurricane]

Yep - weather has, as Bart says, been weird this year.
We managed to "milk" the best out of it.
Last year we went to north Mallorca - this year that would have been a mistake.
A yachtie friend of mine was stuck in Pollensa for weeks.
I say that we managed to "milk the best out of it" but, perhaps, we just got lucky.
By sticking on the south side of Mallorca, we were away from the Mistrals but even then planning anchorages and marinas was much more difficult than usual.
Thankfully, our worst case was being stuck for about 3 days in Palma Nova not attempting to poke our nose out of the bay.
That said, we always found a comfortable anchorage where we could swim - still definitely better than any boating that we experienced in the UK.

Once back in Sant Carles this summer, we didn't get the strong winds but we did get massive rain and thunder storms.
Thankfully, the rain didn't contain that north African sand so the boats got washed down nicely.

Still, I hope you manage to get away for a nice late season cruise.
I've packed JW up for the winter - SWMBO and I are off for a Carribean holiday so we probably won't be back to the boat until early in the new year.

So, we are already planning next season.
Long story, but we have to be in Alcudia for the first week in May
We are kind of "kicking around" an idea of continuing on from Alcudia and popping across to Sardinia via Mahon in the early part of the season.
Maybe spend a couple of months and head back to SC for the latter part of the summer.
We only spent a day in Carloforte a few years ago but it was lovely.
Probably wouldn't go south though - maybe the Maddalenas (I think thats what they are called)
Just an idea at the moment - might be too expensive - we will probably need a good marina base - needs some research.
And like all next season planning ideas at this time of the year - it will probably never happen.
Still - worth some research.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Thanks H. If the weather is going to be similar to this summer, then I wouldn't bother with N Sardinia. As I'm sure you can see from a chart, the area stands in the path of any NW mistral wind blowing out of the Golfe du Lion and then it gets amplified as it funnels between N Sardinia and S Corsica. Yes you can find plenty of anchorages where you can find shelter but you're still having to rely on your ground tackle to hold you in the wind and that can be stressful too. We dragged a couple of times this season in popular anchorages and thats despite the fact that we have a 60kg Delta and a load of heavy chain; some anchorages are so heavily used that the seabed gets churned up and doesnt provide good holding. As for costs, during July and August, the marina fees are ridiculous. I was quoted €500/night in Rotondo in August for a 20m berth and thats without leccy, water and rubbish; I did get some discount after some discussions but it was still the most expensive 3 nights I've spent in any marina. Outside July and August the marina prices do drop massively though so a visit in May/June would be way cheaper. On top of berthing you also have the Maddalenas national park fees which aren't cheap either. So for me, N Sardinia was too windy, too crowded and too expensive, at least in high season. We're off to S Sardinia next week to leave the boat for the winter near Cagliari. Mapism has promised me its all very different down there

 

[Hurricane]

Thanks H. If the weather is going to be similar to this summer, then I wouldn't bother with N Sardinia. As I'm sure you can see from a chart, the area stands in the path of any NW mistral wind blowing out of the Golfe du Lion and then it gets amplified as it funnels between N Sardinia and S Corsica. Yes you can find plenty of anchorages where you can find shelter but you're still having to rely on your ground tackle to hold you in the wind and that can be stressful too. We dragged a couple of times this season in popular anchorages and thats despite the fact that we have a 60kg Delta and a load of heavy chain; some anchorages are so heavily used that the seabed gets churned up and doesnt provide good holding. As for costs, during July and August, the marina fees are ridiculous. I was quoted €500/night in Rotondo in August for a 20m berth and thats without leccy, water and rubbish; I did get some discount after some discussions but it was still the most expensive 3 nights I've spent in any marina. Outside July and August the marina prices do drop massively though so a visit in May/June would be way cheaper. On top of berthing you also have the Maddalenas national park fees which aren't cheap either. So for me, N Sardinia was too windy, too crowded and too expensive, at least in high season. We're off to S Sardinia next week to leave the boat for the winter near Cagliari. Mapism has promised me its all very different down there

Thanks, Mike
Thats great information.
Expensive places put me off - I know the Balearics can be expensive but we've learned how to handle that.
So, maybe there is lots to do in south Sardinia - as I say Carloforte was lovely - but it is only a small island - I wonder what the travel to and from there would be like (for friends and family)
What are the other cruising areas from and around Carloforte like

I quite like that idea - south or north Sardinia - it is much the same distance for us - if south Sardinia then the return would probably be the same as the outbound one - if north Sardinia, we could return via Corsica and the Porquerolles etc.

Maybe some ideas from Mapism????

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

- I wonder what the travel to and from there would be like (for friends and family)

I'm sure that Mapism will be along soon to expound the virtues of S Sardinia! With regard to travel, one of the reasons we are moving to S Sardinia is that you can get all year round flights to Cagliari with Easyjet (Stansted) and I believe BA are starting a service next year too. On the other hand, direct flights to Olbia in NE Sardinia stopped in early Oct this year so getting their in winter would have been a PITA

 

[MapisM]

We only spent a day in Carloforte a few years ago but it was lovely.
Probably wouldn't go south though - maybe the Maddalenas (I think thats what they are called)

Hurric, if you will eventually decide for the S, gimme a shout.
More than likely, we'll be here from end of May/beginning of Jun onward.

And yes, as "promised" to Deleted User , I can confirm that N and S Sardinia are actually two different planets.
Mind, the Maddalenas archipelago is stunning, but definitely crowded and expensive, particularly in Jul/Aug, as Deleted User experienced first hand.
In S Sardinia, crowded and expensive are possibly the most accurate adjectives for describing the place, as long as used with NOT.
Weatherwise, it can be windy also down here, but the significant difference in latitude means that the "good" season is longer, and at the peak of the season we actually like some constant breeze, to keep the temperature from getting too hot.
If you have teenagers onboard, they might prefer N Sardinia, though.
For night life, S Sardinia definitely can't compete with Costa Smeralda...

 

[MapisM]

Sh*t Mapism, you better get rid of that by the time I get there or I will ask the Italian govt for my money back

LOL, funny that you should say that, because actually if you look at the E side of Sardinia, along the Olbia-Cagliari route, even during the worst blow, the waves are predicted to be close to nothing, along the coast.
Yes, possibly a bit of following waves, but something a boat like yours would surely handle without sweating.
For waves, it's only a SE blow which could be annoying along that route - not that it can't happen of course, but it's not predicted at the moment, touch wood...

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Yes, possibly a bit of following waves, but something a boat like yours would surely handle without sweating.

I don't go to the Med for waves

 

[Hurricane]

If you have teenagers onboard, they might prefer N Sardinia, though.
For night life, S Sardinia definitely can't compete with Costa Smeralda...

NO NO NO
We don't do night clubs etc
We like it quiet and peaceful
Thats why we chose Sant Carles - a local quiet town
And thats why we liked Carloforte
I hope Mike doesn't mind this thread drift but I'm really interested in your views on south Sardinia.
Could we base ourselves in (say) Carloforte or Cagliari
Our usual plan is for us to stay on the boat and friends/family (family are all grown up) fly out to us.
What are the local anchorages like?

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I hope Mike doesn't mind this thread drift but I'm really interested in your views on south Sardinia.

Not at all. I'm interested to find out any info on the area too

 

[MapisM]

Could we base ourselves in (say) Carloforte or Cagliari
...
What are the local anchorages like?

First of all, a caveat is in order: we moved from the Adriatic to Carloforte in 2006, and our original plan was to stay here for a season or two, and then move on elsewhere in Sardinia, and maybe later to the Balearics.
But as it happened, not only we liked the place, but also made several good friends along the way, both locals and folks who have a holiday home in the island.
Bottom line, we are still here, and with no plans to move in the foreseeable future.
So, you might think I'm biased, and probably I am.
Otoh, I wasn't biased at all back in 2006, and there was nothing which forced us to stay, if you see what I mean...

So, my short answer to your question is yes, of course you could.
But there are pros and cons between Cagliari and pretty much any other places in S Sardinia.
Cagliari is very conveniently located near the airport, and the best marinas are at short walking distance from the city center.
Other places like Carloforte (SW) or Villasimius (SE) require almost a one hour drive from the airport (and the first, being on a small island, actually requires also a 40' ferry), but are located in places where it literally takes just minutes to reach beautiful anchorages.
Of which, coming to your secon questions, there's plenty, all within easy reach, and with a good choice, depending on the wind direction.
And of course, crystal clear waters is included FoC in all of them, bar none.
Actually, there are a few nice spots also around Cagliari, but surely there are better choices if you are more interested in a cruising base, as opposed to a convenient base, with all the services a city can offer.
For long term stay, overwintering in Cagliari (as Deleted User will do) and staying elsewhere during the summer might be a sensible choice: horses for courses, as always!
...Though of course it's less expensive to have one annual berth in one marina, rather than two "half years" in different places.

For anything more specific, just ask, either here or by PM/email, as appropriate.