Weather Basics and Applications for Boaters Webinar On August 27th
Alex Avalos, Operations Manager

On Wednesday evening, August 27th at 06:30pm EDT, Operations Manager and Senior Meteorologist Alex Avalos will be presenting a webinar for Sailing and Boating, LLC, which will be hosted by Deb and Hugh Marlor. The first part of the discussion will entail a discussion on weather basics for boaters, including, but not limited to the drivers of weather, and the tools you can use to create a self weather briefing. The second part of the discussion will entail how you can use these tools to recognize changing weather patterns through cloud behavior, the steps you can use to prepare yourself for offshore passages and the tools available to you for monitoring the weather. This webinar is open to the public.

You can sign up for the Weather Basics webinar here:

You can sign up for the Applications for Boaters webinar here:

We look forward to seeing you there!

Join Weather Routing at the Newport International Boat Show
Jared Young, Senior Meteorologist

Do you plan on attending the 2025 Newport International Boat Show in Rhode Island from September 11th-14th? Be sure to stop by as we will again be located at Corner Booth #41, Tent A!

Senior Meteorologists Kyle Petroziello and myself will be staffing the booth this year. We will be detailing our customized forecasting services offered, as well as the ample features available through our supplemental weather website and app, SeaWeather. Our booth will present branded giveaway items as well. If you plan on attending the show, please email us at wri@wriwx.com as we are happy to provide guest tickets for those interested, though these will be in limited supply. We look forward to meeting with all current and future clients!

2024 Newport International Boat Show - Picture courtesy of Newport International Boat Show

Saint Vincent SWIM Across the Sound Recap
Max Gallo, Meteorologist

The preparation and forecasting for the SWIM begins sooner than one may think, with a first forecast sent 10 days ahead of the event's start to initially gauge the expected weather pattern in the longer range. Then, once 5 days away from the SWIM, forecasts were sent daily to keep up with the latest changes in the weather pattern. Daily forecasting is vital in many instances like this in order to be better prepared in the event of any sudden changes to expected conditions. This forecasting was all culminated in Zoom discussion with the event's committe the day prior to the SWIM, led by WRI Yacht Operations Manager and Senior Meteorologist Alex Avalos. This Zoom was a great oppurtunity to discuss the expected conditions in real-time with the event's organizers, affording them the ability to ask any questions they may have had on the spot.

On the 01st of August, the day prior to the SWIM, enhanced N-NE'ly winds plagued the Long Island Sound as a developing low tracked offshore to the south. Forecast confidence in these stronger winds grew as the week progressed, as did our confidence that a weakening high pressure ridge would follow in its wake for the beginning of the event on the 02nd. There were reports of initial 3-4ft seas experienced by participants as they exited Port Jefferson Harbor and moved through the inlet, which likely owed to residual moderate breezes in the region leftover from the departing low. However as participants exited the inlet and moved into the Sound, concerns waned as winds eased and any threat of an isolated squall was eliminated all together.

Understanding the specific timing and strength of shorter-term conditions is crucial in event planning, and this year's SWIM was no exception. Providing consistent and accurate forecasting gave the committee a timeline of when they could expect improving conditions, as well as the confidence that the event could safely run. In past years, the biggest and most concerning threat for the SWIM has often been thunderstorms due to their potential to produce lightning over the water, which poses a significant safety risk to all participants. While there was no shortage of this threat the day prior to the event this year, confidence continued to grow through the week that cleared skies would prevail throughout the SWIM. With clear skies and improving conditions, this year's SWIM marathon was another great success!

2025 Saint Vincent's SWIM Across the Sound - Picture courtesy of Hartford Healthcare