All About Strong Wind Warnings for Boaters in Canada
No matter your boating experience, dealing with strong winds is a challenge. It can be especially dangerous on the water when strong winds start up suddenly. To stay safe, marine safety organizations are ready to provide wind and weather information before and during your ventures out to sea.
In this article, we explain the types of strong winds and what you can do to guarantee your own safety and that of passengers aboard your vessel.
Types of strong winds
There are different types and classes of high winds. They are labeled and categorized according to their level of intensity and depending on how they can affect safe navigation.
Strong winds
A wind is considered “strong” when it reaches a speed of 20 to 33 knots, or about 37 to 61 km/h. This can be an issue in coastal areas.
Warnings for this type of wind are recurrent and are mainly issued during the boating season.
Strong wind advisories are not issued on the open sea because they are a common occurrence..
Gale-force winds
A gale is a wind between 34 and 47 knots, or 62 to 87 km/h. Unlike strong winds, gale warnings can be issued at sea but only if there is a marine forecast for that particular area. In general, these warnings are generated only for coastal areas.
Storm winds
Less common, but just as intense, “storm” winds are between 48 and 63 knots, about 88 to 117 km/h. Like “gale” warnings, storm wind warnings are issued for coastal areas and areas of the sea that receive marine forecasting.
They can be associated with various weather systems, including tropical cyclones and thunderstorms, but they are not the same thing as a storm warning.
Hurricane winds
This is the most dangerous category of winds. Hurricane wind speeds can reach 64 knots or more, or about 118 km/h at a minimum. Note that a hurricane wind warning does not necessarily indicate that a hurricane is forming. It only indicates that the wind forces will be equivalent to the wind speed experienced during a hurricane.
High wind warnings for boaters
Alerts are the primary way boaters receive warnings about strong winds, both while docked and at sea. Understanding how to access and monitor these alerts is key for safe boating.
Track weather alerts
One common method is to check the local weather information forecast. This can be done by listening to your local marine radio station or via a marine weather receiver inside your control cabin.
The information transmitted by radios and meteorologists will give you an idea of the type and intensity of the winds forecast. This helps boat operators to decide whether or not to go out to sea.
If you are already at sea, you can always follow the Canadian Coast Guard frequencies and act accordingly.
Follow a high wind warning program
Institutions like Transport Canada recommend following Canadian marine wind warning programs like Environment Canada.
These programs provide information on the season, dates and location of potentially high winds across Canada. This information is not provided on a daily basis, but it is very useful when planning a trip. These programs use actual weather data to predict potential advisories that are called “deferred warnings”.
Use the Beaufort scale
The Beaufort scale is mostly found near lifeguard stations or harbors. It is an informative chart that includes:
- Wind strength
- Wind speed
- Wind classification
- Visible effects on the sea
- Visible effects on the land.
The Beaufort scale categorizes wind based on the intensity levels indicated by the weather tracking tool. The higher the rank on the Beaufort scale, the more intense the warning. It is strongly advised to take note of this information before any marine activity, to avoid capsizing and other types of boating accidents.
What boaters should do when there is a high wind warning
There are two situations where you may become aware there is a wind warning:
- You are still at the dock.
- You are out on the water.
If you are still docked or about to depart, it is best to delay or even cancel your trip. Even if the sky is clear, it is strongly advised to stay on land to avoid being caught in strong winds.
If you receive a strong wind warning while out on the water, keep an eye out for any changes. Tune in to radio and broadcast channels like the Canadian Coast Guard for real-time information.
Watch and monitor the waves and their heights. The waves are clear indicators of wind changes while on the water.
Watch for bad weather. Look at the sky and monitor the clouds while looking for a safe place to harbour. If the sky darkens quickly, head back or go to the nearest coast as soon as possible.
If you are caught in a high wind alert, protect yourself by contacting the Canadian Coast Guard. Give them all the information they need to locate you and stay in contact with them until they arrive.
Boat safely with the National Boating Safety School
Being aware of strong wind warnings and knowing how to respond appropriately is necessary for safe boating. Whether you’re out on the water or deciding whether to venture from the dock, every boater has a responsibility to act wisely in the event of a strong wind warning.
Always carry the appropriate boating safety equipment on board, including correctly sized life jackets and an appropriate emergency rescue beacon, and stay aware of the local weather forecast.
The National Boating Safety School can help you learn more about marine warnings and how to respond to them. Take our online boater safety course so you can go boating with confidence!