Not to worry folks, we’ll be all right despite the strong winds: only a small warning is in effect!
(This is part of the actual Cayman Islands 5 days weather forecast today. Sigh.)
| Day | High | Low | Winds | Sea State | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 28°C 81°F |
22°C 72°F |
North to northeast 5 to 10 knots. | Smooth to slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. | |
| Sunday | 28°C 81°F |
20°C 68°F |
North to northeast 15 to 20 knots. | Moderate to rough with wave heights of 4 to 6 feet. Small craft should exercise caution over open waters | |
| Monday | 28°C 81°F |
20°C 68°F |
Northeast 20 to 25 knots with higher gust tonight. | Rough with wave heights of 5 to 7 feet. Small warning is in effect. | |
| Tuesday | 28°C 82°F |
22°C 72°F |
Northeast 20 to 25 knots with higher gust. | Rough with wave heights of 5 to 6 feet. Small craft warning is in effect. | |
| Wednesday | 28°C 82°F |
23°C 74°F |
Northeast 15 to 20 knots. | Rough with wave heights of 4 to 6 feet. Small craft should exercise caution over open waters. |
Above was the full forecast. Nothing unusual but complicating diving a bit, likely forcing us to dive the less attractive south side of the island to stay in calmer waters.
I would never dare making fun of them, of course, but we once in a while get funny forecast elements like “chance of rain, especially near showers” or “125 mph” winds. Our forecasters obviously haven’t completely mastered the great art of cutting and pasting…
I once walked into the weather office at the Grand Cayman airport to get a weather report for an IFR flight back to Louisiana. I was unofficially flying right seat with a friend and his family on a Piper Navajo. The flight involved a Cuban airspace crossing that was always interesting and for which a permit had to be obtained in advance through a non-US source, or else.
The weatherman had long dreadlocks and a leather hat and he said with a big smile: “Ya man, sure man, I’ll give you da forecast man!” I half expected to see a little cloud of smoke linger around him…
It’s a different place, down here. Not quite there yet, if you see what I mean.