Break Out?

October 22, 2018

Day 18

Noon Position: 04 57N 132 00W

Course/Speed: SSW 6+

Wind: SExE 16

Sea: SSE 4+

Sky: Dry Cumulus (Squalls in the afternoon)

10ths Cloud Cover: 3 (afternoon, 7)

Bar: 1013+, falling

Cabin Degrees Fahrenheit: 88

Water Degrees Fahrenheit: 84

Percent Relative Humidity: 66

Sail: #2 genoa full, main 1 reef, close hauled

Noon-to-Noon Miles Made Good: 106

Miles since departure: 2268

Avg. Miles/Day: 126

Another bizarre weather night after a day that suggested we were finally in the south. During the day, steady winds SSE to 15. After dinner and just as I was about to start sleeping, flat calm and heavy cloud. By midnight it was pelting rain and blowing smartly from the north.

I repeat, north.

Then it blew from the west.

Then it rained.

All night was like that.

By dawn, all done. Squalls cleared away and we were left with a sky of light cumulus, an open blue ocean, and a stiff breeze from the SExE…which we have made every effort to use fully so as to get below whatever evil sneaks into these parts when the sun goes down.

Among other things, I’d like a good day’s run and good night’s sleep.

On a practical note, I have no idea what the weather driver is for such phenomena. How can the day be clear and full of trade-wind promise (see attached video from a couple hours ago) and the night a chaos of contrary wind and rain. Three nights running.

As I type, a line of squalls to windward.

I’ll let you know tomorrow.