Great Lakes Wind Forecasting

Great Lakes Wind Forecasting

No aspect of weather is more important to sailors than the wind. It dictates when it is safe to leave port and whether your journey will be fast or comfortable. On the race course, properly predicting the wind separates the winners from the losers.

This 4-hour clinic is designed for sailors of all experience levels and interests. Accurately forecasting the wind promotes safer, more enjoyable outings and improves performance on the race course. Whether you are a day sailor, cruiser, beer-can racer, or serious long-distance competitor, the skills learned during this 4-hour clinic will enhance your understanding of the wind and improve your sailing experience.

What you can expect to learn at the clinic:

  • Why the wind behaves the way it does.
  • The impact of high, low pressure, and frontal boundaries on the wind.
  • How to translate the confusing symbols and meteorological shorthand on weather forecast graphics.
  • The basics of lake breezes, land breezes, thunderstorms, clouds and other dynamics that produce localized and short-term changes in the wind.
  • Basics of weather forecasting models.
  • An introduction to a wide variety of wind forecasting resources.

The clinic combines traditional classroom instruction, case studies and several hands-on forecasting exercises to create an engaging learning experience.

Comments From Previous Seminars

  • I thought the Great Lakes Wind Forecasting was a great in-depth look at weather and forecasting, some of it was review, but so much of the program gave me a greater understanding of the elements of a forecast that I'm looking at. It was great!
  • I have attended many workshops and I can say yours ranks at the top. The material covered and your way of presenting it made for a great day.
  • What a great seminar on weather and wind forecasting at the BCYC. Mark did such a good job helping me plan our day on the water. If you are new to sailing/boating or an old salt this will benefit your sailing experience. I'll certainly be at the next seminar! Thanks.

About The Presenter

Mark Thornton has been boating on the Great Lakes for more than 30 years. Mark recently transitioned from sailing and now owns Osprey, a Mainship 34 Pilot. He is a 2006 graduate of the Penn State University Certificate of Achievement in Weather Forecasting, a two-year program that develops skills in general, tropical, and severe weather forecasting.

He is the president of LakeErieWX LLC, a company dedicated to providing marine weather education and forecasting resources for recreational boaters (www.lakeeriewx.com). Mark publishes a marine weather blog and teaches basic forecasting seminars to recreational boaters during the off-season. He has served as the Race Meteorologist for the Bayview Race to Mackinac since 2014. Mark is employed as a Teaching Assistant in the Certificate of Achievement in Weather Forecasting Program at Penn State University.

Click here to read about my marine weather forecasting seminars, webinars and presentations. Click here for the current schedule of educational programs.

Interested in reading and learning more about marine weather? A few times each year, I publish an article on an interesting marine weather event. Click here to subscribe to my 'no spam' email distribution list.

Email: Mark@LakeErieWX.com
Phone: 440.250.9179




Weather Skills for a Successful Race
February 18, 25, & March 4, 2025
Click here for details.

Great Lakes Marine Weather Essentials
February 20 & 27 and March 6 & 13, 2025
Click here for details.

Understanding & Avoiding Great Lakes Thunderstorms
March 18 & 25, 2025
Click here for details.

Marine Weather Forecasting
Cruisers University - Annapolis Boat Shows
October 2025
Click here for details.

Click here for the complete seminar schedule.

Seminar Reviews
"You have a passion for meteorology that is contagious and a gift for communicating a complex subject.".

Click here for more testimonials.