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Tools of the Trade
Wed May 28, 2003
Listen in RealAudio 
Hi, I'm Bryan Yeaton for The Weather Notebook. In the Atlantic Ocean, regular winds blowing
near or within the tropics that continue in the same direction are called the trade winds.
These winds aid sailors in both commerce and navigation. Jessica Lockhart brings us
more.
In the Northeast, cold winter weather slowly gives way to warmer temperatures, and the change
in seasons brings with it a lot of wind. But, not so in other parts of the world. The
subtropical British Virgin Islands experience year round warmth and consistent winds. The
steady winds make the Caribbean an ideal place to sail anytime of the year. One such island
called Virgin Gorda, welcomed a Norwegian sailor with 30 years experience into their
port.
DK: My name is Don Kidja Stanabee we arrived 20 minutes ago being carried
with the trade winds, perfect conditions from the Canary Islands from east
to west and there were stable trade winds all the way.
The trade winds are primarily lower level winds, and are characterized by
their great consistency in direction and speed. They blow about 11 to 13
miles per hour throughout the year. Named the trade winds because in
shipping days they helped propel trading vessels safely across the ocean.
But, in areas outside of the trade winds, sailors can't count on such calm
conditions especially this time of year.
DK: You can't talk to any sailor who hasn't had horrendous stories about
winds, the worst things about winds when they start to increase and you
haven't got a weather forecast is to find out when does it stop, when does
it stop getting worse.
Oh, to be down in the warm Caribbean now. There is not much sailing in the
springtime throughout much of the Northern United States as winds are
blustery, gusty and cold.
Thanks to correspondent, Jessica Lockhart, now back home in frozen Maine. Our program is
supported by Subaru and the National Science Foundation.
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