Antigua Inbound Day 12

Hi everyone,
At noon today we are at 16 24N 060 14W sailing at 5 knots on a broad reach under double-reefed main and single-furled yankee.  The wind is ENE 11G16.  The seas are 1m with a 2m NE swell. The air temperature is 25C, water 27C and above is low and mid-level cumulus/stratus.  Our noon to noon daily run was 100nm.  We have 210nm to go - 115nm closer to Antigua today.  Only a Fremantle-Geraldton away!

Yesterday afternoon's GFS CAPE GRIB from PredictWind

Yesterday afternoon we found ourselves on the NW boundary of an area of elevated CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy).  Higher CAPE means the air wants to rise, generating cloud, squalls and rain.  We could clearly see heavy rain clouds behind us but only one got close enough to rain on us.

As we moved away from the elevated CAPE area the skies cleared and the sun came out.  By evening the skies were almost completely clear.  Immediately after sunset we could see a tiny sliver of the very new moon.  We had a very nice sail overnight under clear stary skies.

This morning started sunny but a large expanse of cloud to our N gradually moved overhead.  It is the slightly elevated CAPE area on the top-right of the GRIB image.  It had been moving SW and gradually disappating according to the GRIB data.  What we're experiencing 'under it' is stratus cloud with a little more wind but no rain so far.  We've paid attention to CAPE information for some years now.  It is very useful in indicating thunderstorm potential.  Winds generated by squalls and thunderstorms aren't shown in Wind GRIBs, so CAPE GRIBs help identfy where they may occur.

With about 200nm to run its fun being able to zoom out only a little on our chartplotter and see the Caribbean islands.  We're hoping the current cloudy weather will be our last of the trip.

Trust all's well where you are.