Back before I had VHF wheather or not reports we all watched the gulls for input.

 

In warm waters, when you're swimming or snorkeling look at the conch. When they're burying themselves it's going to get nasty.

 

when they sit on the grass is a biiig storm...

 

The seagulls gather in fields because as the barometer drops it is harder for them to fly. If it's a grassy field there's always a chance that the rain brings up the earthworms. Yum.

 

Good tip. Thanks. I'll have to keep my eyes open, see if it holds true.

 

I just watch the stinkpotters. If they sit aboard, tied to the dock, its going to be cloudy or windy. If they go home, its going to rain.

 

But if I am 3 miles offshore how am I going to see the seagulls?

 

Usually you won't see seagulls 3 miles offshore, so you'll need better gale prediction techniques out there.

HOWEVER, if you DO see a bunch of seagulls trying to land on your boat 3 miles offshore, it likely means that there was a huge earthquake and your former cruising grounds have sunk into the sea. So, what it really means is that you're now 30 miles offshore.



MedSailor

 

I've noticed the gulls sitting in the fields but never put it together with the weather - thanks!

 

i w as taught this by an old salt... who learned it from an old salt... is lore.. cool stuff, lore..aint taught anymore, tho...

 

i w as taught this by an old salt... who learned it from an old salt... is lore.. cool stuff, lore..aint taught anymore, tho...

Ain't that the truth. I wonder if there is an old salty lore app?

MedSailor

 

 

I would imagine in the past sailors were very attuned to sights, smells and wave patterns that would give them clues. That would include animals.

It makes you wonder how much was accurate and how much was "old sailors tales"...

 

I would imagine in the past sailors were very attuned to sights, smells and wave patterns that would give them clues. That would include animals.

It makes you wonder how much was accurate and how much was "old sailors tales"...

At sea I get a feeling, but its probably the unconscious acvumulation of facts: waves change height and direction, breeze less consistent or less lulls, or more gusts, increasing high cloud, etc

A lot of the old sailor tales and rhymes were indeed correct! But only for the places they were made up! Red sky at night: yes in the UK means weather system has passed, but on the east coast of the USA could mean system coming.

 

motissier was very big on wave patterns, and sea life, especially birds...

he also had the famous dolphin pointing him away from the rocks scenario...

a lot of stuff can be learned...but lost these days...

thanks for the tip

 

If you wake up in the early morning and there is dew on the grass or your boat; then it will be a good day.

The grass is dry before a storm.

 

I've been trying to take note of the omens, but I think it's going to require more research:

Omen Potential | Sailing Fortuitous

 

I knew there was a nautical saying regarding this:

Seagull, seagull, sit on the sand,
It's a sign of rain when you are at hand

In general, birds roost more during a period of low pressure. Before a hurricane, flocks of birds will be seen roosting. Take off may be harder when the pressure is low or the air is thinner because the natural updrafts are lessened.

 

old sailor lore was very good way to keep from dying at ea. it worked. some things, such as red sky were specific, i noticed to temperate zones, from which many came and sailed.
here in tropics, red sky just means a beautiful sunrise
before furycames is not red sky but gorgeous sunrises and sunsets then cloudy days for 4 days with rain and wind.
before furycames in long island, n y, we did have red sky. very memorable ones.
sailing hudson river red sky meant no sailing today, as the old salt who taught us would not sail on a red sky day. he was always correct.
was also an apple farmer.
knew his weather cold, and was still alive after years of rtw tallships and steam ship work.
there are other signs at sea to follow with impending changes...we learn them as we go. and if we are smart we remember them.
old salt lore will save your life at sea, if not make your day improved if followed.

 

Here is a better photo of the granular ant hill surrounding the entrance that you see before a big rain.

The website this photo came from purports to have all kinds of weather forecasting lore. I don't have experience with most of them myself, but I have heard of some of them.

Learn the tricks and impress your friends with your saltiness! Arrrrr!
Weather forecasting without technology-- with lots of annoying adds and pop-ups

MedSailor

 

Red sky in the morning ,sailor take warning;; Red sky at night , sailor take warning.

 

My wife's....... red wine at night, sailor's delight.