Sailing tips - Wind
In the past, wind was perceived as a blessing,
a benign force which carried seamen towards great discoveries in
the time when sailors ruled the seas and oceans. Today, yachtsmen
and sailors, as the last guardians of the wind, ride the waves in
search of adventure and the challenges of nature.
By naming the winds, sailors of the Adriatic closely connected
themselves with their force and characteristics which had such a
great influence on the life of local people and informed a number
of marine activities.
Every wind has its own characteristics which
can help us predict whether the wind will strengthen, cease or
announce the arrival of another wind. A good knowledge of the wind
will enable us to catch the right one that can lead us to our
goal.
The winds of the Adriatic mainly originate from
the differences in temperatures of the land and the sea and due to
differences in air pressure. Air circulation and changes from warm
to cold air create pleasant winds that continuously fill the sails
with their force. These are the "Burin" and "Maestral" winds.
The correct transition of the daytime "Maestral" and the
night-time "Burin" is a sign of stable weather that will last.
Abrupt changes of air-pressure announce stronger winds that are
worth avoiding by sailing to one of the numerous sheltered bays and
harbours.
The arrival of a particular wind, whether good
or bad, can be recognised by experienced sailors by the clouds and
the sunsets. A clear sky and a sunset of strong, lively colours are
the signs of good weather. A pale and blurry sunset announces a
worsening of the weather. Small fluffy clouds above the island
hills signify a "Maestral" and therefore pleasant sailing
weather..
A cover of clouds above the peak of the inland mountains announces
the arrival of the "Bura", the wind that doesn't give the sailors
enough time to prepare for its strong blows and which therefore
requires much caution.
The favourite predictors of weather for many
seamen are the dolphins. Although initially providing a lovely
sight, their presence often precedes a worsening of weather. The
direction from which the dolphins swim is where one can expect bad
weather to arrive from.
In summer, the "Maestral" is the most common
wind. By uniformly blowing in the same direction and due to its
cooling effect, the "Maestral" has determined the building pattern
of ancient Dalmatian streets. The city streets are open in the
direction of the "Maestral" in order for the breeze to circulate
through the town.
In order to adjust to the winds, one must get to know them, and
in order to make sure they always fill your sails, it's necessary
to recognise the fundamental characteristics of every wind.
The structure of the Adriatic region's wind movements
comprises 8 main winds.
The "Bura" is an unpredictable, north-western
wind blowing from the inland towards the sea. It blows in bursts
and is both cold and dry, and as such purifies and brightens the
atmosphere. The visibility after the "Bura" is excellent and the
weather is sunny and clear.
Sailing during the "Bura" is exciting and challenging. However, it
requires caution, regarding readiness of both the boat and its
crew. Experienced seamen have a proverb: "The Bura says: 'When I
sail, you don't!' ". Short, high waves with white crests are its
characteristics, making the navigation difficult. The small drops
formed by the wind create a so-called "sea smoke" that reduces the
visibility significantly. However, the "Bura" also has its good
side. Thanks to the dry air it brings, the Adriatic speciality of
wind-dried ham ('pršut') gets its distinctive quality.
The "Jugo" is a south-western, warm and humid
wind of moderate force that blows from the sea towards the inland.
It appears along the length of the coast in all seasons, although
in summer it is somewhat less frequent. This wind, which gradually
strengthens, creates long, soundless and foamless waves that hit
the shore and then draw themselves back towards the high seas with
a roar.
The "Jugo" offers a particular experience to dynamic navigators,
enabling the sailboat to reach high speeds. Additionally, fish
usually bite well during this weather.
The "Maestral" is a typical summertime Adriatic
wind blowing from the north-west, bringing nice and stable weather.
This pleasant wind begins blowing around dawn and lasts until
sunset. During summer, it offers a welcome cooling effect, bringing
cleaner, healthier and colder air from the sea. The wind is of
moderate strength and thanks to this, it is suitable for sailing,
so that you can safely yield to the movement of sea and let the
waves peacefully embrace the sides of the boat.
The remaining winds are of less significance for the inhabitants
of the Adriatic area, but further out at sea they may be favourable
to sailors. (These winds may leave a pleasant whistling in the
ears, reminding you of an unforgettable summer!):
Tramuntana - northerly, cooling wind that
announces pleasant and beautiful weather.
Grego - usually a moderate or strong
north-easterly wind carrying dry, clear and cold weather.
Levant - easterly wind that blows during cloudy,
humid or rainy weather.
Oštro - southerly, warm and damp
wind.
Lebić - south-westerly, dry and warm wind
which blows on the Adriatic after the Jugo, levelling the waves in
shallow harbours.