Gust

A gust is a sudden, short-lived increase in wind speed above the surrounding average felt by a vessel. At sea it may last only seconds or a few minutes, often arriving with small shifts in direction and stronger pressure on sails, rig, superstructure and exposed deck gear.

Gusts matter because they can overpower sail trim, increase heel and weather helm, or make docking and close-quarters manoeuvring less predictable. When planning a passage, compare expected gusts with average Wind Speed and consider how they may steepen Sea State or change the loads on each Sail. Reefing early, securing loose gear and allowing extra sea room are prudent responses.

PredictWind displays gust forecasts alongside mean wind so crews can identify squalls, frontal passages and local acceleration zones before departure. High-resolution Gust Maps in the Forecast App and web forecasts, plus GRIB downloads in the Offshore App, help offshore cruisers and skippers choose safer timing, routing and sail configurations.