Last year’s sailing season in the
Adriatic was characterized by frequent storms, showers and extreme weather shifts. That is why many yachtsmen who were rather disappointed with their holidays last year are closely monitoring the weather situation this year. I can totally understand this because it is very disappointing to sit on a wet deck and shiver under a wind-stopper instead of
sunbathing,
swimming,
snorkeling and
sailing smoothly. Personally, I do not believe too much in long-term
seasonal weather forecasts, but let us take a look at what the experts say.
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Bol, Brač[/caption]
According to the latest information from the Croatian National Meteorological and Hydrological Service, this
summer is expected to be much better than the last one. After all, there cannot be two bad seasons one after another, can they? If we are to trust the calculations from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) from Reading, UK,
this summer in the Adriatic should be
warmer than average. This means that the
temperatures will be
higher than they usually are during this time of the year, while the amount of
precipitation should be
lower. All these calculations are the music for the ears for tourist agencies and operators, which are looking forward to
great results in business this season.
I would like to remind all the sailors in the Adriatic that the wind
maestral (a thermal daily wind) has slightly
changed its characteristics. Although it used to be a sign of a stable atmosphere and guaranteed smooth sailing with small swells, things have changed recently. Nowadays, it comes from the same direction (NW), but becomes
stronger than it was and brings
bigger waves, which means that it looks like
tramontana, as we locally call the northwestern wind. The other characteristics of the wind have remained unchanged, It
begins around noon and
dies down some time
before sunset.
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Vrsar[/caption]
There is one thing that the experts from Reading have not mentioned. Although the medium-range forecast is favorable for the summer, the
possibility of local thunderstorms and
summer showers still
remains. So do not let the medium-range forecast be the only source of your weather information. Instead, follow the daily forecast every morning.
I wish you a calm sea, a fine wind and a strong mast!
