Keysrock35
Anarchist
I just returned from the Huron Challenge Doublehanded and I can assure you it is Brrrrr cold up there with a capital B.
CHI-MAC Race Wx
- Thread starter DryArmour
- Start date
stayoutofthemiddle
Super Anarchist
Glad I'm sitting the ChiMac out this year! Sitting on the rail for two nights in the cold doesn't sound fun (ever). Weather has been bad enough this summer in Chicago without seeking out worse conditions. I've got nothing to prove and don't have fantasies of recreating the Whitbread.
Rasputin22
Rasputin22
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Keysrock35
Anarchist
We were warned of t-storms, but got nothing but cold rain. So they must have dissipated when hitting the coast. We got moderate wind shifts that occurred over minutes to an hour vs sudden.
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Looks like surface temps near-shore will be hitting the 70's in a week, and probably keep going up reaching mid/upper 70's if this string of 85+ air temps holds for a couple weeks. If that's the case, with the race being 3 weeks out, I predict "normal" mid-summer surface temps
LM Surface Temps
LM Surface Temps
doghouse
Super Anarchist
Well, I'm not doing the race ("retired" after doing my 25), so my interest is purely academic! ;-)
DryArmour
Super Anarchist
- Thread starter
- #30
A little feedback from today's frontal passage across Lake Michigan please. I was able to get back in front of my computer about an hour after the front pushed back onshore on the East side of the lake. Was it a fireworks show all day or did the cooler lake water flatten out the convection a bit. Please let me know. The real time lightning map below is about an hour after the front came in over the land and I suspect enhanced the convection. Please let me know what you saw today if you were on the lake.
From my vantage at the Mustang on the island, the north end petered out...
Of note the locals I’m sitting with have found the persistent easterlies over the last few weeks quite the anomaly.
And the Solo Mac dealt with northerlies up the lake then some angry east stuff down the strait.
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From the Helm
Anarchist
In Holland the wind continued at S and increased for about an hour from 10 knots to about 20 knots before the storm. Stayed warm on the shore. Wind stayed at S and blew up to 25 knots as the storm front passed over. After the clouds passed we could hear more thunder inland. The wind dropped to near zero after the front passed.
The temps were 90+ prior to front and dropped to low 80's with lower humidity.
Observation from South Haven was the gust front and rain were substantially higher, 40 MPH wind estimated, I did not check the bouy. 45168
Monkey
Super Anarchist
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When it passed over Sheboygan it was minimal lighting but 3 minutes of extreme rain and VERY high wind, as in about one big tree down per block. The violence of the storm made me think tornado at first.
Looks like surface temps this year are more-or-less similar to last few years, started off the year similar to 2103, but now more like 2016.
Surface Temp comparison
Surface Temp comparison
doghouse
Super Anarchist
2103 had some crazy temps I hear.
Glenn McCarthy
Super Anarchist
2018 Chicago Mac weather prediction after doing 41 Macs: There will be weather, or not.
Cal20sailor
Super Anarchist
'89 rears it's ugly head again.
That should put the fear of God in everyone that was there. 20nm on Sunday, swam twice, and won our class.
That should put the fear of God in everyone that was there. 20nm on Sunday, swam twice, and won our class.
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Cal20sailor
Super Anarchist
What's funny is that in '89 Monday night turned out to be one of my most memorable nights of sailing. 8+ knots spinnaker reaching through the tous. Seriously, the conversation I had with the owner that night was the best ever. It remains one of my favorite Macs (out of 50+). We've met. Best of luck to all racing this year. Be safe.