Seeking Tradewind route Statistical Data

[JunkRat]

Does anyone know of a source, either satellite & buoys or logs from cruisers, of average wind speeds during the typical circumnavigation using the typical trade wind east-to-west route?


I'd love a histogram of wind speed showing percentage of time in various speed ranges.

This is mostly an intellectual exercise and I understand that wind varies, but I'm curious how many days are becalmed, under 5 knots, 5-10knots, etc. But any breakdown will help.

Thanks!

 

[Ad Hoc]

If you want to see real-time data, you can find it HERE, in this excellent site:

 

[gonzo]

Yes, they are called "pilot charts".
Maritime Safety Information https://msi.nga.mil/Publications/SDEnroute

 

[JunkRat]

Those are way too detailed and way too much data. I am looking for averages across a circumnavigation route, not something that would require me to spin up a map reduce cluster, after writing 20,000 lines of code to clean up the data to calculate a histogram. I'm looking for, say, 10 numbers, total.

Eg:
0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20-25, 25-30, 30-40, 40+
%23, %34, %20, %10, %4, %2, %1,%0.5

 

[bajansailor]

If you want to see real-time data, you can find it HERE, in this excellent site:

Thanks for this link Ad Hoc - I had not come across Wind Finder before. Looks excellent!

Tnx also to @gonzo for the excellent link to the Pilot Charts.

Edit - just saw Junk Rat's reply.

Are you familiar with Jimmy Cornell's book World Cruising Routes?
https://www.amazon.com/World-Cruising-Routes-Sailing-Oceans/dp/1999722949/ref=sr_1_1?

This might have the info you require?

And I also see here a mention of Cornell's Ocean Atlas - I had not come across this before.
https://www.amazon.com/Cornells-Ocean-Atlas-Jimmy-Cornell/dp/1999722906/ref=sr_1_1

 

[gonzo]

Those are way too detailed and way too much data. I am looking for averages across a circumnavigation route, not something that would require me to spin up a map reduce cluster, after writing 20,000 lines of code to clean up the data to calculate a histogram. I'm looking for, say, 10 numbers, total.

Eg:
0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20-25, 25-30, 30-40, 40+
%23, %34, %20, %10, %4, %2, %1,%0.5

The averages vary with location and the route you take. That is what the charts, which have been used for centuries, give the information about. You decide what the best route for you is, depending on the stops you may want to make and the sailing characteristics of your vessel.

 

[Mr Efficiency]

Naturally prevailing winds vary according to time of year, you could likely obtain maps issued by meteorological agencies that show typical wind strength and direction by month of the year. I am pretty sure the Australian Bureau of Meteorology has such resources.

 

[CocoonCruisers]

Thanks for this link Ad Hoc - I had not come across Wind Finder before. Looks excellent!

In that vein there is also earth.nullschool.net where you can overlay waves and currents, or look at the upper layers of the atmosphere. And it's even more beautiful. (The developer is on facebook: earth.nullschool.net https://www.facebook.com/EarthWindMap . It might be worth asking for a route statistics function).