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OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: A detailed appreciation of weather patterns helps outdoor folk when they check what lies ahead
I’ve been fascinated by weather all my life, and with ever-better forecasts coming from vast computer models my understanding has grown.
I don’t really know how outdoor people manage if all they look at is the TV forecast or a smiling sun on their smartphone. Summaries often hide vital detail, the real skill lies in interpreting the various forecasts and predictions and making your own.
So, for instance, on a day when you might have expected, from the dire warnings, to be forced indoors behind the shutters by storm Eunice, we enjoyed a lovely day of clear sunshine on the Fife coastal path from Anstruther to Crail.
When you actually looked at the detailed charts and forecasts it was clear that the main storm was well to the south and that the Fife coast would be sheltered from wintry squalls by the mountains to the west. The wind would be quite cold, and up to force six, but by first taking a bus from Crail to Anstruther it would be behind us all the way.
And so it proved, the East Neuk towns basked in low February sun, only a few local walkers were out and it was even warm enough in the sun for a picnic in a sheltered spot. Nevertheless, we were well equipped as even I can get it wrong and there was always a slight chance of an unexpected minor trough giving an hour or two of driving sleet.
The sunlit harbours were quiet, all the boats tied up, a dream picture for a better photographer than I. The sea was white crested and unfriendly, but the shore of boulders and driftwood logs as enticing as ever.
The Isle of May, just a couple of miles offshore, beckoned – I resolved to kayak across in better conditions!
It is, of course, vital to have a good appreciation of weather when you take to the water. Various forecasts of wind and sea conditions are available but a good look at the pressure charts is important to get some idea of the bigger picture.
A front coming through could give a short spell of strong gusty winds which the general forecasts ignore. An offshore wind is likely to be stronger than predicted, especially in the afternoon or early morning. There could well be local funnelling effects around islands such as in the Kyle of Tongue giving gusts too strong to paddle against.
I’ve been surprised many times and, well, there’s nothing better than the old scout motto ‘Be prepared’!
Last spring I was paddling clockwise round Dunnet Head from Dwarwick to Brough, the wind was forecast to get up a bit in the afternoon but no more than force three in the morning. So I set off early, the sun so dazzling and hot that I kept in the shade close to the cliffs.
Although a little choppier towards the headland, I reached the lighthouse with little effort, the hardest bit was past and all that remained was an easy two miles to Brough with the breeze behind me. Then I noticed, ahead, gusts of wind hitting the sea and picking up clouds of spray. That’s getting up to force eight!
The wind hit, straight in my face. I still don’t know where it came from, maybe a local effect caused by morning cold air running off the mainland and gathering speed over the headland.
All I could do was hold position in the strongest gusts and paddle as hard as I could to make very slow progress when it relented a little. I didn’t wish to turn back as I would risk being blown right out into the firth.
That two miles took about two hours, I was very glad of some emergency rations stuffed in my buoyancy aid. Any worse and I’d have had to land on the boulders, abandon the boat and make a slow way along the shore to where I could get up the cliffs.
Even lochs are often too windy, but a canny winter trip on Loch Watten looked possible a few days ago. The wind could be up to force five but was swinging round and a lull was likely. I was dressed well for cold water, with shoes and spare clothes in the boat in case of a forced landing on a far shore and a long walk back.
But my forecast was right and it was a very peaceful paddle, the wind only picking up later to push me back across the loch, round the little crannog island and back to the car.
A good understanding of weather is invaluable for outdoor people!
