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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Thunderstorms
 
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FishingMD
06/13/2018 07:57AM
  
Going into wood lake from Friday to Monday and I’m seeing lots of thunderstorms in the forecast. Literally every other day in the forecast is sunny and all four days of my trip are garbage weather. Caveats about unpredictability aside, I’m pretty down about it all. I’m legitimately worried that my outfitter won’t let me enter because of the weather and/or I’ll have to stay off the water much of my trip. What happens if you can’t enter on your permit date due to inclement weather? I’ve been planning this trip for a year or so and can’t really express how much I was looking forward to it.
 
hexnymph
06/13/2018 08:13AM
  
Relax... I've never heard of an outfitter not letting somebody enter. Storms come and go.


Be prepared for it.


Hex
 
johndku
06/13/2018 08:27AM
  
Agreed. Typically the more intense the storm, the shorter the duration. Never seen a day with intense storms all day to the point you can't get on the water.


Wind....that's a different story.
 
TuscaroraBorealis
06/13/2018 08:26AM
  
As a general rule, violent storms don't last all day/night. So you should eventually be able to move on. We had several big storms move through on our trip last June. Beaches, flowers and storms


Use common sense and stay off the water when things get nasty. You may have to scale back your plans somewhat. Just remember Mother Nature is always in charge.
 
nofish
06/13/2018 08:53AM
  
Don't worry about it. You'll get on the water just fine.


The forecast might call for a chance of storms but its highly unlikely you'll have all day wash outs. Odds are that the bulk of each day will be just fine for paddling.


The one thing that will keep you pinned down is a day of really high winds. So far I've only experienced one day which wind kept us pinned down. However, it was a day that all we had planned was a short day trip. Had we really needed to travel I think we would have been able to manage it but hugging protected shorelines most of the way.


Go and have a good trip.
 
cowdoc
06/13/2018 08:30AM
  
Take a weather radio and keep an eye to the sky when on the water. Head for shore or camp sooner than later, those dark clouds sneak up on you quickly.
 
paddy3001
06/13/2018 08:59AM
  
Ditto what others have said. I was bumming before my trip last September because every day called for thunderstorms, including a potentially severe one the Ely Ranger Station warned us about when we picked up our permit. A few storms blew through, but no day was a complete washout, and a few days actually ended up sunny and very pleasant. Looking at extended forecasts outside of a day before or day-of will just give you anxiety.


Bring a good tarp, weather radio, and some books or games to keep you occupied if you're rain-bound. Be thoughtful in your tent placement (watch out for low-lying areas and widow-makers), go in with a good attitude, and you'll be fine.
 
Canoearoo
06/13/2018 11:33AM
  
We entered 2 years ago with severe storms forecasted. The rangers tried to scare my kids good about them (there were a few people killed by falling trees that month). We had our weather radio and tracked it like a hawlk. Most of the storms never came to be. But the kids had 'Tornado safe' areas picked out just in case.
 
tashit
06/13/2018 12:39PM
  
In my opinion it's probably a good thing they are saying storms now because it seems like forecasts always change anyway. It's still a few days away so it will probably be sunny and beautiful...
 
WhiteWolf
06/13/2018 02:16PM
  
Weather forecasting. The only job you can keep when your wrong a lot. HA!!!


All kidding aside- the pattern is one forecasters call the "ring of fire". "A ring of fire weather pattern is forecast for the Central U.S. this late week, resulting in dangerous heat and bouts of thunderstorms that may contain damaging wind gusts, hail, isolated tornadoes and heavy rain. (especially ND tomorrow night)
Though "ring of fire" isn't a formal weather term, it's sometimes used by meteorologists to describe a particular summertime weather pattern that sets up occasionally.
Here's how it works: Sinking air associated with a strong upper-level high-pressure system east of the Rockies leads to very hot temperatures near its core. Forming a ring around the high's clockwise flow ( to the North) are disturbances aloft that tap into moisture, resulting in bouts of storms near its periphery.


Temps near 100F in the C Plains will be the center of this core. The Upper Plains are a prime candidate to receive several rounds of inclement weather. However- I would not even thing about canceling a trip.

 
FishingMD
06/13/2018 02:58PM
  
I wonder how "the ring of fire" will affect our fishing haha
 
nofish
06/13/2018 03:31PM
  
"The Ring of Fire"? Sounds like something a little Preparation H should take care of.
 
WhiteWolf
06/13/2018 03:35PM
  
FishingMD: "I wonder how "the ring of fire" will affect our fishing haha"
In all honesty- if you get out before the pressure really goes up and down ( and maybe even during) you should be okay, if not great. Nature picks up on stuff like this and if your in the right place at the right time (and not with me) you could surprise yourself with excellent fishing. If you don't have a line in the water, you will never know.




 
BuckFlicks
06/13/2018 01:18PM
  
Here are my personal weather guidelines:


Rain: Paddle away.
Wind: Stay off big water if you can, stick close to shore.
Lightning: Get off the water as soon as I can.
Rain + Wind: sounds like a good morning/afternoon/evening to spend relaxing in camp under a tent/tarp.


I can tolerate wind, and I can tolerate rain, but the two together... nope. Unless it's absolutely necessary.


Outfitters have no say whether you enter the wilderness or not. I suppose they could refuse to rent you gear, but I doubt any would do that. USFS is the only entity with that power, and they wouldn't do it either... except have you seen the stories about the San Juan NF in Colorado? They're "closing" it due to the wildfires. That's my other favorite place in the world other than BWCA. Been backpacking in the San Juans several times.
 
Captn Tony
06/16/2018 06:15AM
  
Don't worry unless there is a fire you will get to go.
I have been up there in cold rainy weather, hot humid weather, below zero weather, thunderstorms, windy trips, etc. and every trip was memorable . The worst weather trips are the one we talk about the most.
 
mastertangler
06/16/2018 06:53AM
  
Captn Tony: "Don't worry unless there is a fire you will get to go.
I have been up there in cold rainy weather, hot humid weather, below zero weather, thunderstorms, windy trips, etc. and every trip was memorable . The worst weather trips are the one we talk about the most."


There you go. I like a bit of weather to be honest, keeps things interesting. Some adversity spices the trip up some.
 
Luckee
06/16/2018 07:48PM
  
The harder they come, the quicker they're over. But do take care where you pitch the tent, and maybe dig a drainage ditch around it. After this cloudburst, all the obvious tent spots were puddles:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf9Ce2VZ2yg
 
mirth
06/18/2018 11:37AM
  
Luckee: "But do take care where you pitch the tent, and maybe dig a drainage ditch around it. "


Don't do this, it's not LNT.
 
Moss Tent
06/18/2018 04:49PM
  
WhiteWolf: "Weather forecasting. The only job you can keep when your wrong a lot.”



Wrong. You have described pretty much all public-sector jobs.
 
mirth
06/18/2018 05:21PM
  
Cleaning up after moss tent.


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