Thunderstorms

[itsbob]

If caught in storms with high wind motor slowly into wind.Never hide in cabin and let boat drift sideways.

[BigDan]

going out with skipper 9 one time JIM told me a storm with high winds, you should go with the wind and waves not into them.

[Ole fisherman]

going out with skipper 9 one time JIM told me a storm with high winds, you should go with the wind and waves not into them.

Yes....you need to control your boat speed to stay with the speed of the waves, if really high waves then throttle control is even more important so you don't get swamped. Get some practice in smaller waves, learn to "surf" your boat with the waves, the practice will pay big time if ever caught in severe weather...

[West Basin]

Just like on land, it's the size and intensity of a thunderstorm that matters. A small localized storm is different than a thick long thunderstorms front. As always, check the forecast, and if storms are forecast, keep an eye on the horizon and check you phone or radar every half hour. I've been out in all of it. Sat it out and motored around small localized thunderstorms. Ducked behind Islands for some larger localized and small front storms. Ran in just ahead of a few bigger fronts. With today's ability to check weather almost constantly, there is no reason to get "stuck" out on the Lake during a major thunderstorm front.

One thing to learn is sometimes a localized storm can form either on the Lake or along the shore. It won't move in from the north, west, or southwest. You'll often see a "haze" on the horizon in the direction of the developing storm. You can see the upper air start to form clouds, then get gray. Sometimes you'll feel downdrafts of cooler air, or static electricity in the air (your hair stands up or your line makes an arc in the air and hangs there for a few seconds when you cast). I've heard my radio antenna "buzz". The trick is to learn what this looks like in the early stages. Once you notice this, if it's either in the direction of any prevailing wind, over top of you, or in the direction you need to head to get to your ramp, pack up and get going BEFORE the clouds start to get gray. I've seen these storms form in 30 minutes. Clear or mostly clear with clouds around or small storms in the area. You know the potential is there. Then it starts, the conditions I mentioned above. Sometimes it can develop rapidly. Next thing you know, the storm is near fully formed and you are caught. Sometimes it's a small localized thunderstorm, a few square miles in size. It forms, then rain and wind, then it dissipates. Other times it keeps developing into a larger storm, lasts a lot longer. Often other similar storms will form nearby. If in doubt, head in. When these conditions exist, just because the radar is currently clear in the prevailing wind direction doesn't mean another storm won't form.

Be smart and observant. That's the best policy. "Keep an eye on the sky, because the Legend of the Lake says the Lake has got it's eye on you." - Pat Daily song.

[cabin6]

Which channel is marine weather?

[jokim_99]

Okay Storm is coming in my face if I'm heading back to dock. Do i try to stay on that course or turn around and go with the waves and ride it out?

[Brian425]

Do NOT turn and run with the waves/wind....good chance of getting swamped by waves coming over the back of the boat. Nose on or 45 degree angle INTO the waves and just go slow/make way until you get out of the wind-front....should you lose power have a sea anchor ready (5 gallon bucket works in a pinch) tied to the BOW of the boat, not the STERN or side...ride it out and have your radio ready if necessary

[itsbob]

We have a lake house on Catawba on the water and one evening some 25 yrs ago was watching a boat collecting minnows not far offshore after sunset.The guy collecting the minnows was the senior Al from the Sunoco station that also sold bait a mile west of port Clinton.We would get our worms and minnows at their place.Was watching the radar on the TV before going to bed.There was a cell coming across the lake from the NW with red color in it.Didnt look any different than many I have seen before.Was sleeping when this noise woke me.It was the wind unlike I have ever heard before or since.Could see nothing out the window with the wind and rain hitting it.I could actually feel a breeze coming through the walls.I thought it may have been a tornado. Eventually it subsided and was actually surprised there was so little damage when surveyd the outside.The following weekend went to buy worms at the Sunoco place.The senior Al was working and asked him if he got caught in that storm from last weekend.He said yes.I asked if he had ever been in wind like that before.He said never have been in wind like that.I asked him, think it was 60 or 70 mph? He said more like 80 mph.I asked if you idled into wind.He said idle wasn't enough.Had to run into wind and waves.So you never know what storms can throw at you.

[itsbob]

Just had a whopper of a storm come through Parma.Wind at leading edge close to 60 mph.Weather bouy had 50 knots wind gust.Would not want to be on the lake in that kind of wind.