The elements are the very stuff of boating. Out on the waters, nearshore or offshore, wind, weather and waves combine to test your skill as a boater. Developing a keen weather sense is as crucial to arriving home safely as is the soundness of your craft or the strength of your navigation skills. - Wind, Weather & Waves, Environment Canada
Be prepared for the weather, rain or shine, and dress accordingly. Once you become rain soaked and add some wind, hypothermia becomes a concern. Before sailing, make yourself aware of the expected weather for the time you are planning to be out.
Start by checking the local forecasts, such as on the internet, television and radio, and then check marine forecasts and warnings. VHF marine radios have a dedicated weather channel, indicated by the WX button. Most VHF marine radios transmit a tone warning of a serious weather event. If you are listening on marine VHF channel 16, the Coast Guard will at times issue a warning if there are major weather concerns.
Click here or the sample forecast below to get the current Western Lake Ontario marine weather update
Here are more online resources:
- Billy Bishop - Toronto Island - curent winds
- Official Weather Canada Marine forecast for Western Lake Ontario
- Marine Weather for: Great Lakes - Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, showing weather warnings.
- Windy.com
- Windguru forecasts
- Sailflow
- Windfinder - PCYC
"In the Great Lakes the weather conditions can change so fast. It can change from glass flat to four foot swells in five minutes time." - Wind, Weather & Waves, Environment Canada
Keep your eyes to the sky! Your own observations will help you prepare.
Clouds
For thousands of years, women and men have forecast the weather by watching the sky – noting the types of clouds, where they move, and how they develop. While a forecast should not be based on a single weather element, recognizing the various clouds – understanding what makes them form and grow – will help you to detect impending changes in the weather.
Download the Cloud chart from Environment Canada
Wind, Weather & Waves
If you are interested in the weather phenomena on Ontario lakes, you can view the Environment Canada Marine weather guide for the Great Lakes Region below.
This is a practical guide to marine weather in the Great Lakes. Local conditions present a challenge to boaters and this will make you appreciate the importance of developing a keen weather sense.
Wind, Weather, & Waves - Ontario Regional
"If we thought of the Great Lakes as inland seas, we'd probably treat them with more respect." - Peter Trueman, quoted in Wind, Weather Waves.
