Knowledge

Meteorology

- For autumn cruises, check and prepare your navigation lights, red light at the chart table, night mode on the displays, as well as the foghorn and radar in good time.  
- Increase safety and protection against the cold: Keep lifejackets, lifelines, torches, insect repellent, warm clothing, a hat and gloves to hand.  
- Adapt your sailing plans to fog and strong winds, remain flexible and make the most of the remaining warm days for anchoring, swimming and bringing the season to a close.

Sailing tips: 10 tips for an autumn sailing trip

- The North Sea and the Baltic Sea are warming in the long term; in 2025, the North Sea reached record levels of 11.6 °C and maximum heat content.
- In 2026, there were 66 days of marine heatwaves off Heligoland; The consequences include altered habitats, shifts in species distribution and oxygen depletion.
- Rising sea levels are increasing the risk of storm surges; climate simulations predict that extreme water levels in the German Bight will occur three to five times more frequently by 2100.

Warm North Sea, rising water levels: BSH reports new record figures

- Summer 2026 on the North Sea and Baltic Sea: alternating spells of heat, calm, strong winds and cold snaps with ground frost, with temperatures at times approaching record levels  
- Recurring heat domes over Western Europe led to extreme conditions: record-breaking heat in Germany, strong north-westerly winds and long periods of calm  
- The North Sea and the Baltic Sea were up to 3–4°C warmer than normal, whilst the summer was more than 2°C above the climate average; according to the text, persistent weather patterns are likely to become more common in future

Sailing summer 2026: This summer was anything but ordinary

- In the summer of 2026, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea were just under one degree above average; off Heligoland, 66 days of marine heatwaves were recorded.  
- Warmer seawater promotes algal blooms, shifts in species composition, oxygen depletion and ‘dead zones’, which are particularly critical in the Baltic Sea.  
- High sea surface temperatures increase evaporation and the potential for heavy rainfall, but do not allow direct conclusions to be drawn about individual storms.

Heatwaves: The North Sea and the Baltic Sea are significantly too warm in summer

- Rain is primarily a matter of comfort; it becomes a serious issue in the event of poor visibility, squalls, thunderstorms or an overwhelmed crew.
- Preparation is key: weather conditions, visibility, sound signals, manoeuvring procedures, dry areas and ventilation must all be clarified before setting sail.
- Simple legs, specific alternative harbours and defined decision points make a trip in the rain safer than a rigid plan with no Plan B.

Sailing in the rain: What skippers should check before setting sail

- 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: A comparison of the best weather apps – features and subscriptions

- Meteotsunamis (‘Rissagas’) caused water level fluctuations of up to 1.44 m on Mallorca and Menorca, leading to flooding and the deployment of the fire service and police.  
- These are caused by atmospheric pressure disturbances which, via Proudman resonance and harbour resonance, significantly amplify long-period water waves, particularly in Ciutadella.  
- For skippers, warnings are crucial: use long, flexible mooring lines, additional lines, good abrasion protection, ensure fenders are properly fitted, and do not leave the boat unattended.

Mini-tsunamis: Why harbours are suddenly flooded

- On 12 August 2026, a partial solar eclipse in Germany, with up to 90 per cent coverage, will coincide with the peak of the Perseids.
- Despite its red colour, the Sun must only be viewed directly through certified ISO 12312-2 solar eclipse glasses; improvised solutions are unsafe.
- The best time to observe the Perseids is after midnight until dawn, when there is no moonlight; weather conditions are expected to be particularly favourable inland and in parts of the Baltic Sea region.

​Solar eclipse and the Perseids in 2026: Stay awake on the night of nights!

- The 2026 Perseid meteor shower will peak on the night of the new moon, 12–13 August; under ideal conditions, up to 100 meteors per hour may be visible.  
- Particularly good viewing opportunities for sailors in dark bays and regions such as Spiekeroog, Pellworm, Westhavelland, Møn/Nyord and Anholt.  
- Explanations of the origin and name of the Perseids, photography tips for cameras and smartphones, and cultural customs relating to making wishes on shooting stars.

Perseids 2026: How sailors can experience the night of shooting stars from their boats

- On 12 August 2026, a rare and significant solar eclipse will take place; it will be total in northern Spain and the Balearic Islands, and partial (up to 90 per cent) in northern Europe.  
- For sailors, an unobstructed view to the west-north-west and keeping a safe distance from coastal hills are crucial; totality will be visible off the coasts of Valencia, Mallorca and Ibiza, amongst other places.  
- It is essential to use ISO-certified eclipse glasses; the DLR is studying the ionosphere; minor GPS disruptions and short-term weather effects are possible, but pose no particular danger.

​​Solar eclipse 2026: Tips for sailors – from Kiel to Ibiza

- Alpine lakes are very popular in hot weather, but can become dangerous within minutes due to rapidly developing thunderstorms and Föhn gales.  
- A two-tier storm warning service using orange lightning symbols (40/min for strong winds, 90/min for storms) warns of dangerous gusts on Lake Constance and the Bavarian lakes.  
- Switzerland and Austria use similar visual warning systems, some with two warning levels and others with just one, depending on the lake or federal state in question.

Extreme weather on the Alpine lakes: Everyone should be aware of these storm warning services

- A 65-year-old woman fell overboard during a storm on Lake Constance and was recovered dead the following day off Langenargen.  
- Around 200 emergency personnel from Germany, Austria and Switzerland searched for the missing woman; the search was suspended in the evening.  
- The Lake Constance warning system, featuring orange storm lights and advice on what to do, is designed to protect people from rapidly approaching thunderstorms and strong winds.

Thunderstorm on Lake Constance: 65-year-old woman falls overboard and dies

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

Meteorology for sailors: successfully recognising sailing weather

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YB Tracking mit Google Maps

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Windfinder Widget

X.com

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Spotify

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Google

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Meteorology for sailors: successfully recognising sailing weather

Sailing tips
10 tips for an autumn sailing trip

Warm North Sea, rising water levels
BSH reports new record figures

Sailing summer 2026
This summer was anything but ordinary

Heatwaves
The North Sea and the Baltic Sea are significantly too warm in summer

Sailing in the rain
What skippers should check before setting sail

Apps
A comparison of the best weather apps – features and subscriptions

Mini-tsunamis
Why harbours are suddenly flooded

Solar eclipse and the Perseids in 2026
Stay awake on the night of nights!

Perseids 2026
How sailors can experience the night of shooting stars from their boats

Solar eclipse 2026
Tips for sailors – from Kiel to Ibiza

Extreme weather on the Alpine lakes
Everyone should be aware of these storm warning services

Thunderstorm on Lake Constance
65-year-old woman falls overboard and dies

Meteorology for sailors: successfully recognising sailing weather

Sailing tips10 tips for an autumn sailing trip

Warm North Sea, rising water levelsBSH reports new record figures

Sailing summer 2026This summer was anything but ordinary

HeatwavesThe North Sea and the Baltic Sea are significantly too warm in summer

Sailing in the rainWhat skippers should check before setting sail

AppsA comparison of the best weather apps – features and subscriptions

Mini-tsunamisWhy harbours are suddenly flooded

​Solar eclipse and the Perseids in 2026Stay awake on the night of nights!

Perseids 2026How sailors can experience the night of shooting stars from their boats

​​Solar eclipse 2026Tips for sailors – from Kiel to Ibiza

Extreme weather on the Alpine lakesEveryone should be aware of these storm warning services

Thunderstorm on Lake Constance65-year-old woman falls overboard and dies

Sailing tips
10 tips for an autumn sailing trip

Warm North Sea, rising water levels
BSH reports new record figures

Sailing summer 2026
This summer was anything but ordinary

Heatwaves
The North Sea and the Baltic Sea are significantly too warm in summer

Sailing in the rain
What skippers should check before setting sail

Apps
A comparison of the best weather apps – features and subscriptions

Mini-tsunamis
Why harbours are suddenly flooded

Solar eclipse and the Perseids in 2026
Stay awake on the night of nights!

Perseids 2026
How sailors can experience the night of shooting stars from their boats

Solar eclipse 2026
Tips for sailors – from Kiel to Ibiza

Extreme weather on the Alpine lakes
Everyone should be aware of these storm warning services

Thunderstorm on Lake Constance
65-year-old woman falls overboard and dies