Weather Skills For A Successful Race

Recordings: All sessions will be recorded and available to attendees until July 17, 2026.

March 16, 23 & 30, 2026 -- 7:00 to 8:30 pm (Eastern)

Using weather to your advantage is a key element in doing well in a long-distance race such as the Bayview Mack or Chicago Mac. Developing a competitive strategy requires an understanding of basic weather forecasting principles, the ability to interpret surface weather maps, manage thunderstorms, and a working knowledge of modern routing software. 

This three-part webinar series is designed for sailors who are new to long-distance racing or experienced competitors who are interested in refreshing their skills before racing season. 

Topics include: 

• Interpreting surface weather maps  
• Identifying the primary forecasting challenge for a race  

• The basics of weather forecast models

  §The forces governing the wind  

• Forecasting thunderstorms  
• Understanding thunderstorm behavior  
• Using Doppler Weather Radar to monitor thunderstorms  
• Downloading gridded weather data  

• Weather Routing essentials