⛯ WEATHER ATLANTIC

USA -California MEXICO - Pacific GUATEMALA - Pacific EL SALVADOR HONDURAS- Pacific NICARAGUA - Pacific COSTA RICA - Pacific ECUADOR - GALAPAGOS PANAMA COLOMBIA JAMAICA CAYMAN ISLANDS BELIZE CUBA TURKS AND CAICOS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC BAHAMAS USA Florida

National Hurricane Center https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

500mb 7 day loop

GULFSTREAM

1 FLORIDA EAST COAST

2 GEORGIA & SOUTH CAROLINA

3 NORTH CAROLINA & THE CAPES

4 VIRGINIA MARYLAND CHESAPEAKE


💨 MARITIME CLIMATOLOGY

For localized weather including Climatology please visit each maritime area:

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Maritime Climatology

or climate science is the scientific study of climate, scientifically defined as weather conditions averaged over a period of time. 

Pilot Charts

depict averages in prevailing winds and currents, air and sea temperatures, wave heights,  visibility, barometric pressure, and weather conditions at different times of the year and is divided into 12 months

The information used to compile these averages was obtained from oceanographic and meteorologic observations over many decades during the late 18th and 19th centuries.

The charts are intended to aid the mariner in selecting the fastest and safest ocean and coastal routes with regards to the expected weather and ocean conditions. 

Climatology EASTERN PACIFIC

 

Understanding Pilot Charts and How they Can Help in Planning YOUR ROUTE ALONG THE PANAMA POSSE

At the point when the Atlantic and Pacific Hurrican Season Bengins  begins we look at Cliamtology>
We consider June  the start of the Pacific and Atlantic  Hurricane season – however the majority of what they call “significant storms” or NAMED STORMS tend to start  in August and this proceeds through END OF OCTOBER
 

Over time and outside the Hurricane season we  find out about the breezes and flows in these regions though experiences and local maritime knowledge – but a prudent mariner makes examinations and derives routes from the combined history of hundreds of years of observations compiled into Pilot Charts.

 

Pilot Charts are worried about cruising conditions, there is a diagram for every month of the ear for each section. For the North Atlantic, there is a different graph for the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, which  we zoomed in on here
Every one of these locales have a graph for every month. You can in this way utilize the graph to find out about the breezes and flows in every month.

Pilot Charts Show Winds, Currents and Major Hurricane Tracks of Past Storms

On each Month’s Pilot Chart are Windroses  of winning breezes – indicating both bearing and intensity and probability of winds. Likewise appeared on each outline are the flows and tempests for the 12 months recorded.

 

Where Pilot Charts Came From

The tropical storm data is fascinating, yet the measure of information gathered on winning breezes, flows, air temperatures and intensity probability is amazing.Before modern day satellite weather observations which is now at the cutting edge age, this information was gathered from ships afloat, by sections into the boat’s log and onto diagrams. It was first accumulated, physically, into an organized  framework by Lieut. M. F. Maury, U.S. Naval forces who examined a large number of boats’ logs and diagrams in the mid 1800s to make the data accessible to ships underway. 

 

Where TO DOWNLOAD Pilot Charts

FOLLOW THIS  LINK

 

SEA STATE DUE TO SURFACE WINDS

(as a general rule of thumb within 2-3 hours of wind)
Wind to Waves
kts | feet 

10 | 2′ 
12 | 3′
15 | 4′
20 | 6′
25 | 8′
30 | 10-12′

In open ocean most seas propagate 600 nm in 24 hours so if a system changes wind directions 150 nm from you wait 6 hours for the effect


WEATHER PACIFIC

PREDICT WIND – predictwind.com

CALIFORNIA – TURTLE BAY

TURTLE BAY – CABO

UPPER SEA OF CORTEZ

LOWER SEA OF CORTEZ

CABO – BANDERAS BAY

 

 


2) Cabo Corrientes
As you head towards Barra de Navidad – rounding this Cape has the usual negative effects on sailing – watch for gust currents a.m.o

Swell along the coast


3) Tehuantepec

We’ll discuss these strategies over then next few month – our goal is to cross when conditions are favorable or alternatively hug the beach well reefed – when in doubt we’ll chat up the local port captain in Huatulco or Chiapas MX. Hug the beach and you’ll be fine – this very localized wind

But watch out for wind gusts more than the steady forecast models


4) El Salvador Bar Crossing

Many have had issues with swells over 3 feet so watch the bar like a hawk – new dredging may improve the entry




Swell Forecast

5) PAPAGAYOS

Last year’s fleet has plenty of experience with these sustained gusts of wind up to 55 knots ! The most successful strategy was day sailing – near shore – in 20 – 30 nm hops with one foot on the beach (less than 1/2 nm off shore). These Papagayo winds are designed to test you – your vessel and your crew. But once you make it to Costa Rica your wind blasted faces will have some good stories to tell.  If you look at the forecast models look at the wind gusts and use those as your guide as these gusts occur 50% of the time.

5) PUNTA MALA – PANAMA

Another key stop on your way into the bay of Panama – Wait for favorable conditions to round the point and watch for square waves due to the tidal range – best rounded around slack low tide – wait at Playa Venao before you round up. Your only out is to ease off and head for the Las Perlas or tough it up to Isla Iguanas.

6) LIGHTING, SQUALLS AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY

We recommend you to carry insurance for your vessel as each season – vessels get struck by lightning along the central American coast. There are no blind spots – from Chiapas, MX – to Panama is an area affected by lighting.
Costa Rica’s lighting season starts in late April – deploy any and all lightning and grounding strategies you deem relevant including wrapping and grounding the base of your mast with unused anchor chain when anchoring and praying to Neptune. It ends in late October early November. Participants in the Panama Posse develop their own strategies based on prior reports of vessel which have succumbed to lightning strikes in the past.
Even partial and side strikes in marinas or moorings can cause damage to sensitive electronics and systems.

 

"Density

Density of lighting strikes in_central America

density of lighting strikes in central america legend

7) PANAMA CANAL TRAFFIC

As you get closer to the heavy traffic canal zone – here is a live snapshot of AIS signals

GALAPAGOS