Wind

[Black_Fly]

Is it me, or is wind a bigger factor for canoeing over the last few years? I think I missed the best opportunity this week, and it’s still over 10 mph, headed back to the high teens and 20s. I’ve been watching the weather in parts of MN and Ontario too, and it just seems the fronts tend to be stronger and stick around longer than before. Weeks of solid wind have been common this spring here. Those idyllic mornings of water like glass seem to have gone out of fashion.

 

[dutchlennart]

Maybe we got them now over here. When i was younger it was much more windy. Especially in spring . Wind seems to be gone. Whe i was yonger i was paddling lots in the surfzone at the seashore. Now those waves are hard to find.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

It does seem like this spring has been more windy than usual. I think it's because I sold the sailboat.

 

[Benson Gray]

Some of us like windy days.

Benson

 

[snapper]

For what it's worth, it seems to me that the wind has increased over the past few years. I don't know if it has anything to do with other climate related issues or not. Whatever the reason, we used to have few days with winds in the mid-teens or higher. Now they seem to be more the norm than anything else.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

 

[Alan Gage]

Ever since I was a kid the wind has been my nemesis for pretty much anything I enjoyed doing, especially in the spring. It doesn't seem any better or worse than it was then.

Alan

 

[mwaalen]

In MN the spring sustained winds & all season microbursts seem to be increasing. You don't need to travel far to come across a shorline or trail completely tangled with a mess of downfall. I don't recall this a decade or two ago.

 

[Alan Gage]

I asked ChatGPT if there was enough data available in Iowa to tell one way or another. This is the gist of what I got in return:

There actually is decent long-term wind data for Iowa (mostly from airport stations aggregated by the Iowa Environmental Mesonet), and the picture is surprisingly consistent:

1) Long-term trend (last ~40–70 years)​

The best statewide analyses show a gradual decline in average wind speeds:

• A study using multiple Iowa stations (Des Moines, Sioux City, etc.) over ~70 years found:
  • Overall decrease of ~1 m/s (~2.2 mph) in average wind speed.
• The decline appears broad and consistent across locations in the state.

That’s a pretty meaningful drop—on the order of ~15–20% depending on the baseline.

 

[lowangle al]

Maybe it depends where you live. In both Ak and Pa it seems to have increased. In Anchorage we used to get 100mph winds a couple times a year, now they are much more frequent, stronger and last longer. In Pa, where I hadn't spent much time for 30 years I hear other people mention that the wind has gotten worse over the years.

 

[gumpus]

It's been a windy Spring in SW MI with too many paddling opportunities missed due to wind following too many days missed due to winter plus some days missed due to flooding. Typically I take note when gusts are predicted to hit 40-50 mph; this year we've had days with gusts to 60 and 70 mph (!) and a nearby 130 mph tornado that killed 4 people. Lots of "possible tornado" warnings including today.

But I think the snow has stopped so that's helpful.

 

[scoutergriz]

The spring in southern Ontario has been crazy compared to the past- former 10 year storms seem to be happening almost weekly now, and we seem to get a 100 year storm annually at least- wind and rain have been insane with April alone beating the annual average for the entire year, with the GTA getting 112mm (4.5") already in April compared to the normal average of 55.4 (2.2") and the month's not over yet with another rainstorm and high winds forecast for tomorrow- these storms regularly have 30+mph (20mph) winds gusting to 80kph (50mph) or higher in them.

 

[mwaalen]

The spring in southern Ontario has been crazy compared to the past- former 10 year storms seem to be happening almost weekly now, and we seem to get a 100 year storm annually at least

Being close-ish proximity, I think MN is seeing the same thing as southern Ontario with the wind, but we could sure use some of that rain if you can spare.

For what it's worth the Google answered me the following...

The 10-year trend for high wind events in MN shows a significant increase in frequency, specifically peaking in the early 2020s. While the mid-2010s saw relatively moderate activity, the state experienced a sharp rise in high-intensity wind occurrences between 2021 and 2025.

 

[recped]

You can attribute some of these variations in the previous "normal" to Climate Change. Where I am in Southern Ontario we have been warned that in the next year or two we should expect more hurricanes (something that has been very rare in this area). While this is happening there are no doubt other areas that had regular hurricanes / tornadoes are now having fewer.

We just need to learn how to deal with these variations and it's only going to get worse in the coming years.

As far as more wind affecting paddling, I haven't personally experienced much change. I always assume that on a lengthy trip I'll be windbound at least once a week. That has been the case for pretty much every trip I've done in the past 40 years.

 

[M Clemens]

I don't know, can't say for sure. I do relish mornings like this one today though, on Canadice Lake. No wind, no waves, no worries.........

 

[Black_Fly]

It does seem like this spring has been more windy than usual. I think it's because I sold the sailboat.

My son sold his a couple years ago. I miss it more than him, but I didn’t pay for the slip, dry dock, electronics replacements, etc. Canoes are a cheaper addiction.

 

[Black_Fly]

 

[ppine]

I have sailed a lot and canoed a lot but never sailed a canoe.
Maybe the most precarious method of moving over water ever devised by man.

 

[Benson Gray]

Maybe the most precarious method of moving over water ever devised by man.

To be truly precarious you need to add more people and a hiking board. It is said that the key to successful small boat sailing is movable ballast, that is you. It was very popular years ago.

Benson

 

[Steve in Idaho]

My son sold his a couple years ago. I miss it more than him, but I didn’t pay for the slip, dry dock, electronics replacements, etc. Canoes are a cheaper addiction.

And for us inlanders, much more practical.

 

[Mason]

I have sailed a lot and canoed a lot but never sailed a canoe.
Maybe the most precarious method of moving over water ever devised by man.

The old man way: