Spring Trades?
Kyle Petroziello, Senior Meteorologist

The “Christmas Trades” are a steady prominent feature of strong E-NE’ly winds during the winter months over much of the Western Atlantic, especially throughout the Caribbean Sea. These peak in strength from December to February each year, thus dubbed the Christmas Trades.

Typically, as we move into March and beyond, we see these beginning to gradually weaken, with opportunity for transits around the region becoming less of a great challenge. However, this year, we’ve seen an anomalous continuation of this strong pattern into Meteorological Spring. What has driven this development?

Mid-March Pattern of MSLP/Winds/Seas via SeaWeather (www.seaweather.net)

The subtropical high over the central Atlantic is at its strongest and S’rn most position during the winter months. This interacts with consistent low pressure found near the Equator and N’rn South America, resulting in tighter pressure gradients between these key features. This produces the strongest of E-NE’ly conditions we find throughout the year in the tropical and subtropical latitudes (notably 30N-10N) over the North Atlantic.

Typical Winter Caribbean Trade Pattern

Alleviation is found from these trades when cold fronts approach from the west and can briefly break down this ridge over the central Atlantic. However, this season, cold front approaches have tended weaker and less regular, allowing the ridge to remain semi-permanent and strong. This has continued these strong trades well throughout March, with greater challenges for passages - especially those moving westward either to the Caribbean or those attempting early season crossings across the Atlantic. WRI will continue to monitor this trend in the weeks ahead, be sure to reach out as we look for better opportunities to make headway throughout the region!

Lightning Detection Warnings - Coming Soon
Jeremy Davis, Director of Operations

Weather Routing is pleased to announce that we will be launching a new product in April - Lightning Detection Warnings. These are alerts that will keep you informed when lightning is likely within the next 30-60 minutes, so that you can be informed of potentially dangerous strikes, anywhere in the world. These alerts will be included when you are onboard receiving services from us, if you already requesting heavy weather alerts. If you are not already receiving heavy weather alerts when using our services and would like to, just let us know. Alerts will also be available to all SeaWeather.net subscribers who opt to receive heavy weather alerts at no extra charge. Alerts will be sent via a notification on our SeaWeather.net app, or via email. We look forward to launching this product as we continue to aim to provide you with the highest level of service from us.

Below - an example of a Lightning Detection Warning notification on the SeaWeather app.