TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Christmas winds really blowing!

Having consulted Windguru, I anticipated them, but they have started, big time. Small craft warnings have been issued. It looks like a lot of charter boats are hunkered down. We have closed a lot of our hurricane shutters.

Too bad acuweather does not line up well with reality

RatmansWife, at least there's no roofing to be done today!! Keep on keeping on and shoot me a pic of your progress!!

Gusts are predicted to be in the mid 30 knts range! Time to reef.... or raise a glass........

Beerman, we have all new roofs and hurricane shutters! Still waiting on labor to install windows and gutters, and a host of other, smaller projects. But compared to a year ago, we’re livin’ large!

Some poor sailor just came in, likely from Anegada. His sail got stuck, with 37mph gusts and high seas. He had to tack until he got into the cut, stopped his mono, pulled down the mainsail by hand and limped into Scrub. Don’t know what color his hair was when he started out, but it was grey by the time he got in!

The Bermuda high is about 8mb stronger than normal and spread half way across the Atlantic. That is pinching the Trades into a narrow straight line. Next 8-10 days sailing in that wind is going to be literally like drinking from a fire hose. Reef early and often.

It just keeps gusting and raining. The poor folks who haven’t been able to repair their homes must really be suffering. Now they’ve extended the warnings through Sunday. Anyone looking forward to beach days and snorkeling will be very disappointed.

It looks like Sunday thru Wednesday there will be less wind and rainy weather: https://forecast.weather.gov/shmrn.php?mz=amz715

Yep, next couple of days...12/28 and 29 looks like ENE at 20 to 30.

Then reducing ENE 15 TO 20 which is good sailing weather for monohulls, double reefed and small jib. Also, most of the popular anchorages should be pretty well protected . Sounds like close to the winds we get in May, except they start veering to the ESE, which we find opens Josts harbors up to the winds and seas.

We have found, no matter where we are, hawaii, the U.S. coastal and inland weather forecasts, and the BVI, the WEATHER UNDERGROUND is very accurate.

With a long back professional ground in Sailing and motor vessels, and Flying airplanes as dual careers, .... call up > weather underground ( insert name of area) < if wx is a primary concern and an accurate fore casts are imperative .

Weather Underground ::
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* EXCELLENT : Very easy to read daily graphs....." sky''...... temps...'''.barometric pressure''''''', .wind directiion and speed.....rain ( chance and amount in inches ). Super easy quick reference. 10 days of forecasts.

Also....LONG QUICK REFERAL list for daily HOURLY reports, all of the above, plus temps and feels like temps...cloud /sky cover, rain percentage, and amount, wind direction and speeds,

Also....the the written scientific report, high and low pressure areas, warnings, storms, fog, visibilties, ceilings, et.

Also....Aviation and Marine fore casts.

As a commercial pilot, and fighter pilot, and merchant marine capt....both coming on nearly 40 years, I have found ( weather underground ) is the best and easiest and most accurate weather forecasts and reports that I am aware of )
The weather for us, is vitally important as to safe flying and sailing and staying alive..

Most times we refer to wx forecasts to prepare and plan , not only with flying and sailing, but diving and snorkeling and hiking as well. Or driving on road trips.

Just FYI for you and other posters here on TravelTalk.

If you get a chance, and weather is important , give ( weather underground) a go.

As to the BVI, we are aware of the Christmas winds, and for 35 years have selected May, to bare boat the BVI. Great sailing winds. 13 to 20 mph . Sometimes ENE and sometimes ESE . Works for us, as we really like sailing and not motoring .

Have a fun and fantastic 2019...

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