Have you ever cancelled a trip due to rain forecasts for the duration of your trip? I checked the extended weather and they're basically calling for thunderstorms 4 of the first 5 days I'm supposed to be there. I have no expectation of zero rain at all, but just wondered if any experienced paddlers have every looked at a forecast and decided it wasn't worth it going in. I've fished in 40 degree sideways rain in Canada, but I had the option of going back to a cabin with a fireplace. I have no issue paddling in rain, but thunderstorms are another story altogether, so I just wondered what others have done if faced with a bad forecast for their entire trip.

I too obssess over the weather reports. But, in numerous trips and despite poor predictions, it rarely rains all day. It has happened to me, but only a couple of times. In the end, weather is part of the experience.

We had forecasts of storms and rain for Saturday and Sunday of this past weekend but really didn't have any real rain except for overnight Saturday. So I am glad we didn't cancel due to the forecast.

I'm expecting some rain, but I could just imagine if a major front was coming through with pretty fierce ran that would expect you to be grounded for several days for extended periods that may alter your plans.

Three years ago, I was supposed to take my wife for our 15th anniversary to Cancun. Checked the weather forecast for several days prior to the trip and they had some sort of strange thing going on where they had experienced a lot of rain and were expected to have prolonged rain showers for all for foreseeable days of our trip due to some weather system that came in. I changed our plans less than 24 hours prior to departure and went to Jamaica instead. It may not have been torrential rain all day long there, but it sounded like it rained for several hours every day. Wouldn't want to be how I spent my vacation.

We've had some pretty poor forecasts leading up to a y trip or two. Never had to cancel just pack another change of clothes, more booze. I'm more concerned with some of the recent summers storms that seem to cone out of nowhere.

quote RainGearRight: " We've had some pretty poor forecasts leading up to a y trip or two. Never had to cancel just pack another change of clothes, more booze. I'm more concerned with some of the recent summers storms that seem to cone out of nowhere. "

Two thumbs up on "more booze"!

We're heading out on Sunday, pretty happy to see this so far. Hope your trip's weather turns out good! I try to find the good in whatever i get, never cancelled a trip. Sun is nice, but rain keeps the bugs away, glassy water is beautiful but a nice chop makes the fishing better, quiet nights listening to the whiporwhils cant be beat, but neither can telling the story of outlasting a nightmarish middle of the night storm either. It's an adventure baby :)

When is your trip and how far out are you looking at forecasts? I take any forecast with a grain of salt until the day before we enter. I also pay closest attention to the NOAA severe weather reports. Wunderground has the option of using personal weather stations which is super handy given the two major cities the BWCA is sandwiched between are Ely and Grand Marais.

I have not cancelled a trip due to inclement weather in the forecast. Above all, go with your gut. If it feels off, don't go or go, and rent a cabin if you can.

Our group comes all the way from Arkansas so it doesn't matter what the forecast says. We come prepared for anything and no matter what happens we always have an incredible trip.

Terry

Heck no we would never cancel!

Some of my most fond memories are in the pouring rain. A few years ago we drove up from the Twin Cities in monsoon like rain that kept up and followed us all day and into the night. We loaded and unloaded the cars in horizontal rain. It was raining so hard we couldn't help but laugh and enjoy it. We paddled so hard and fast we kept warm.

That said, even when it does rain, it is RARELY all day. Weather seems to move fast up there, and one minute it can be dumping and trying to lift your tent, and 5 minutes later the storm is gone and its blue skies and birds chirping.

Don't worry about it, just enjoy it and like others have said, bring extra whiskey
and a deck of cards :)

Never-- just prepare and deal with it. Worst cases (forecasted) never seem to come to being. Best cases seem to always have inclement weather. Enjoy the weather--- it's the only weather you got..

The only time I would even bother to look at a forecast would be early May or October. Or maybe the remnants of a tropical depression might get my attention.

Having said that make certain you are well outfitted. A quality tarp, lines and knowledge to use it effectively is the difference maker.

Of course good rain gear (including gloves and proper rain hat) and watertight tent is also not optional.

Last but certainly not least make sure your TP is well protected via a zip lock bag ;-)

Even though it sucks to spend 5 or 6 days in the rain and cold, it makes for the best war stories for years to come. Very few sunny 72 degree days make for long term campfire war stories. As others have said, take the forecasts with a huge grain of salt. If it rains for 75% of the days on your trip you won't have quite as much fun but the bonding is awesome and the weather gets worse every time the group gets back together to reminisce.

A good tent and a very good tarp....simple meals using a stove. If I am warm and full in a dry sleeping bag ...then I can deal with the day...the crabby whiny people ?? ... those are much harder to deal with..

my expression.... "Are we having fun yet?"
:-)
dr bob

We'll go in. If it's raining, we'll try to wait it out a bit, but eventually we have to do it. We have a permit for that day and entry, so what else to do? If thunder and lightning is forecast for all day (which usually isn't the case), I guess we'd think about going in the next day....drive back to town and look for permit options.

We took out one day early a couple of years ago due to the epic rain in the Arrowhead. That was the year Duluth flooded and Highway 61 had to be closed. The rain was so heavy that End-of-the-Road radio was actually broadcasting flood messages to paddlers inside the BWCA. We took out early because we saw no end in sight. Did the best we could.

Also took out one day early during a realllllly hot spell. Not sure if records were broken, but it was May and it was HOT!!! Did the trip, were looking for a campsite for the last night near the Baker Lake entry point, and found only the one on Peterson Lake that was low, hot, and had no air movement. Instead, we got the last room at the Lutsen Lodge.

I pay attention to the weather via my shortwave radio, though that's just commercial weather forecasts. I find them broad and lacking specificity.... but those forecasts, combined with paying attention to the sky, has done OK with me. I'm very attuned to thunderstorms.

Bring a nice tarp. Angle the tarp so you're sheltered from the prevailing wind. Lower the tarps profile (lower to the ground) if the wind is really strong or swirling.

Mike

quote DrBobDg: "A good tent and a very good tarp....simple meals using a stove. If I am warm and full in a dry sleeping bag ...then I can deal with the day...the crabby whiny people ?? ... those are much harder to deal with..


my expression.... "Are we having fun yet?"
:-)
dr bob"!$/i