Dodging Squalls

Every time I have made the passage from the East Coast to the Caribbean in the fall, there is always a sigh of relief when we get down to about 25 degrees north and are more of less out of the path of late fall gales in the North Atlantic. But, in fact, we’re just swapping one weather scenario for another since as soon as you get near the tropics, you are sailing into squall country. Tropical squalls can range from just a good soaking of rain to micro storms with winds up to 50 knots. They sometimes appear out of nowhere and sometimes vanish into thin air. Most often they ride along troughs in the trade winds in a parade of thunderheads. During the day you will see the towering clouds that seem to blossom at the tops as the hot air rises. If you can see all the way under the black cloud, then the squall will be brief and mild. If you can’t, then you need get ready to reef and get out the foul weather gear.  As a rule, if a squall delivers rain before the wind picks up, it’s going to be a doozy; if the wind pipes up first, it should be short and not too bad. There are instances when you can alter course to sail behind a squall or between two squalls that are on the same track. I have hove to so a squall can pass in front of the boat.  At night, radar is a huge asset since it will pick up squalls miles away and you can then track them and alter course accordingly.  And if you can’t avoid sailing into a squall, at least it will be warm and the fresh water will give the sails and decks a good wash down. One thing’s for sure, if you are dodging tropical squalls you’re almost to the Caribbean. And, that’s why you set sail to begin with.