Knowledge

Meteorology

- A stable high-pressure system, intensified by climate change, is bringing heat, calm conditions and a light sea breeze, particularly on the outer regatta courses.
- Temperatures of over 30 degrees and an increased risk of thunderstorms are expected until the final weekend, followed by a change in the weather with westerly winds and greater influence from low-pressure systems.
- In the long term, hot days, dry spells and light winds are becoming more frequent during Kiel Week, whilst the traditional ‘14 degrees and drizzle’ weather is becoming less common.

Kieler Woche: When a high-pressure system dominates the world’s largest regatta

- A stationary high-pressure system over the North Sea and the Baltic Sea is initially bringing heat, sunshine, calm conditions and light swells, which in some cases is testing the patience of sailors.  
- From Friday, according to the DWD, there will be a regionally increasing risk of thunderstorms, some of which may be severe, accompanied by gusts, heavy rain, hail and sudden strong winds such as downbursts.  
- Crews should factor in engine hours and heat precautions, closely monitor weather models and DWD warnings, and opt for shorter legs with a safe harbour.

​Omega pattern: What sailors can expect now in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea

- In the 19th century, Georg von Neumayer studied ocean currents using messages in bottles and used his findings to create a groundbreaking current map.
- His approach continues to have an impact: since 2000, Argo floats have been measuring ocean temperature, salinity and pressure worldwide, supporting climate prediction models.
- Neumayer founded the German Maritime Meteorological Service, shaped its development until 1903, and was a pioneer of polar research; the Neumayer Antarctic Station is named in his honour.

200th birthday: Georg von Neumayer – from a message in a bottle to a research station

- Reefing early, starting the engine, and securing the vessel’s position, the crew and the electronics significantly reduces damage during thunderstorms at sea.  
- Thunderstorms at sea are difficult to predict; frontal thunderstorms bring squalls, heavy rain, sudden changes in wind direction and strong, gusty winds.  
- Effective lightning protection requires continuous earthing of the rig and metal parts, equipotential bonding and protection of electronic equipment against induction damage.

Thunderstorms at sea: How sailors and yachts can protect themselves

- El Niño 2026 has been confirmed; there is a 63% probability that it will become ‘very strong’ by autumn, dampening Atlantic storm activity whilst intensifying typhoon activity.
- In the Atlantic, the expected number of named storms is falling significantly, but insurance requirements for yachts during the hurricane season remain strict.
- Barefoot Route: weaker trade winds and more unsettled weather possible; sailors in the North Sea and Baltic Sea will feel only minor, delayed effects.

Confirmed: El Niño is shifting storm patterns – with consequences for sailors

- Stormy days on Drejø force sailors to stay in harbour for days on end, scuppering plans and leading to enforced idleness on board.  
- As the storm drags on, the mood shifts from calm to frustration, self-doubt and questions about the point and effort involved in the sailing hobby.  
- As soon as the storm abates, everyone sets off again immediately; the storm-induced cabin fever is forgotten after a short time at sea, and sailors seem incorrigible.

Blown in: Bizarre things sailors experience in the harbour when the weather’s rubbish

- Extreme weather off Wellington, with waves of up to 11.4 metres and gusts of 130 km/h, has led to a state of emergency, evacuations and port safety measures.  
- For skippers, wave height, direction, swell and the impact on infrastructure are just as relevant to safety as wind, requiring alternative ports and precautionary measures.  
- El Niño is contributing to more storms in the Pacific; studies report an increase in the intensity and duration of spring and autumn storms, including over the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

When the sea gets rough: 11-metre waves off Wellington

- Historical data from 1940-2024 show: Spring and autumn storms become more frequent, stronger, last longer and cover longer distances.  
- Storm DAVE 2026, with wind speeds of up to 145 km/h and eleven metre-high waves, is an example of new paths extending as far as Scandinavia.  
- Decline in Arctic sea ice changes storm paths; the previous "closed season" for sailors no longer applies, spring voyages become riskier.

Research: Spring storms over the North Atlantic on the rise - study from Gothenburg

- El Niño will dampen hurricane activity in the Atlantic in 2026, while the most active typhoon season in a decade threatens in the Northwest Pacific.  
- Caribbean sailors will benefit statistically from fewer storms, but will still have to observe hurricane belts, safe harbours and strict insurance requirements.  
- Pacific sailors and yachts remain bound to restrictive cyclone zones despite a calm forecast; only minor El Niño effects are expected for the North and Baltic Seas.

El Niño expected: calmer Atlantic, extremely stormy Pacific

- Advection fog occurs when warm, humid air passes over colder water; it can persist for days and often ends with a cold front and wind shift.  
- Radiation fog forms on clear, windless nights over land, flows down to the sea in depressions and dissipates in the morning as it warms up.  
- Frontal fog occurs during warm fronts, when stratus clouds reach the water surface, and disappears shortly after the front passes, provided no advection fog follows.

Safety: Three types of fog - how they appear and disappear again

- Distinguish between fog types: Radiation fog is usually short-lived, advection fog longer; if visibility is <1,000 m, it is better to stay in harbour.
- In the event of sudden poor visibility: reduce speed, set radar reflector, use lights and sound signals, secure and involve the entire crew.
- Use radar, plotter and echo sounder in a targeted manner, avoid large vessels, anchor outside the fairway if necessary and monitor traffic by radar and radio.

Safety: visibility gone! How to keep a clear view even in fog

- High-quality, sometimes high-resolution weather and routing apps with special models for certain areas are essential for safe cruise planning.  
- The 15 apps presented cover a range from free services to complex professional solutions with routing, satellite connection and plotter functions.  
- Price and subscription models vary greatly; users have to choose between one-off purchases, annual subscriptions and regionally limited packages depending on their needs and budget.

Apps for sailing: The best weather apps for the 2026 season

Meteorology for sailing: The most important basics ✅ Wind, clouds & waves: Predicting the weather correctly ➤ Tips! ✅

Meteorology for sailors: successfully recognising sailing weather

player.target-video.com

target-video.com

protegear.io

predictwind.com

vimeo.com

doo.net

team-malizia.geovoile.com

www.ndr.de

YB Tracking mit Google Maps

https://awin.comagno.com

Windfinder Widget

X.com

racemap.com

touren.bike-magazin.de

Spotify

New York Vendée

www.outdooractive.com

www.br.de 

Tickaroo

Google

Instagram

thetransat.geovoile.com 

www.br.de

www.facebook.com

www.youtube.com

player.podigee-cdn.net

trackleaders.com

www.ardmediathek.de

www.tagesschau.de

www.podcaster.de

tracker.theoceanrace.com

kuula.co

arkeaultimchallengebrest.geovoile.com

retouralabase.geovoile.com

minitransat.geovoile.com

transat-jacques-vabre.geovoile.com

theoceanrace.geovoile.com


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Meteorology for sailors: successfully recognising sailing weather

Kieler Woche
When a high-pressure system dominates the world’s largest regatta

Omega pattern
What sailors can expect now in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea

200th birthday
Georg von Neumayer – from a message in a bottle to a research station

Thunderstorms at sea
How sailors and yachts can protect themselves

Confirmed
El Niño is shifting storm patterns – with consequences for sailors

Blown in
Bizarre things sailors experience in the harbour when the weather’s rubbish

When the sea gets rough
11-metre waves off Wellington

Research
Spring storms over the North Atlantic on the rise - study from Gothenburg

El Niño expected
Calmer Atlantic, extremely stormy Pacific

Safety
Three types of fog - how they appear and disappear again

Safety
Visibility gone! How to keep a clear view even in fog

Apps for sailing
The best weather apps for the 2026 season

Meteorology for sailors: successfully recognising sailing weather

Kieler WocheWhen a high-pressure system dominates the world’s largest regatta

​Omega patternWhat sailors can expect now in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea

200th birthdayGeorg von Neumayer – from a message in a bottle to a research station

Thunderstorms at seaHow sailors and yachts can protect themselves

ConfirmedEl Niño is shifting storm patterns – with consequences for sailors

Blown inBizarre things sailors experience in the harbour when the weather’s rubbish

When the sea gets rough11-metre waves off Wellington

ResearchSpring storms over the North Atlantic on the rise - study from Gothenburg

El Niño expectedCalmer Atlantic, extremely stormy Pacific

SafetyThree types of fog - how they appear and disappear again

SafetyVisibility gone! How to keep a clear view even in fog

Apps for sailingThe best weather apps for the 2026 season

Kieler Woche
When a high-pressure system dominates the world’s largest regatta

Omega pattern
What sailors can expect now in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea

200th birthday
Georg von Neumayer – from a message in a bottle to a research station

Thunderstorms at sea
How sailors and yachts can protect themselves

Confirmed
El Niño is shifting storm patterns – with consequences for sailors

Blown in
Bizarre things sailors experience in the harbour when the weather’s rubbish

When the sea gets rough
11-metre waves off Wellington

Research
Spring storms over the North Atlantic on the rise - study from Gothenburg

El Niño expected
Calmer Atlantic, extremely stormy Pacific

Safety
Three types of fog - how they appear and disappear again

Safety
Visibility gone! How to keep a clear view even in fog

Apps for sailing
The best weather apps for the 2026 season