Dmitry Shteyn — When the Front Hits: Squall Safety on Wisconsin Inland Lakes

The Rapid Shift of Inland Weather

If you have spent any time racing on Lake Mendota, Pewaukee, or Winnebago, you know that the weather can turn from a pleasant afternoon reach to a survival situation in a matter of minutes. Unlike the big water of Lake Michigan, where you can often see a storm cell building on the horizon for an hour, inland lakes are often surrounded by bluffs and tree lines that hide approaching cold fronts until they are right on top of you.

As a sailing educator here in Wisconsin, I always tell my students: the time to prepare for a blow is when you first notice the temperature drop or the sky turning that bruised shades of purple and green, not when the first 40-knot gust hits your rig.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

A cold front moving across the Midwest acts like a snowplow, pushing warm, moist air upward and creating a line of thunderstorms or squalls. On an inland lake, your first indicator is often the "outflow"—a sudden, cool breeze that blows in a different direction than the prevailing wind.

In one race I remember on Lake Beulah, we were bobbing in a 5-knot southerly. Suddenly, the air temp dropped ten degrees and a dark line appeared on the northern shore. That was our signal. Within five minutes, we went from ghosting along to being flattened by a 30-knot gust.

Look for these indicators:

• A sudden drop in temperature.
• A dark, low-hanging "shelf cloud" moving toward you.
• A sudden calm (the "lull before the storm") followed by a radical shift in wind direction.
• Increasing static on your VHF radio.

Immediate Actions for the Crew

When you realize a squall is imminent, your priority shifts from winning the race to vessel safety. Under the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), Rule 1.1 states that a boat or competitor shall give all possible help to any person or vessel in danger. This applies to your own crew first.

1. Douse the Spinnaker Immediately: If you have a kite up, get it down now. Don't wait for the next mark. A spinnaker in 30 knots of wind on a narrow inland lake is a recipe for a catastrophic broach or a broken mast.
2. Shorten Sail: If you are on a keelboat, consider a reef. If you are in a dinghy like a 420 or a Scow, prepare to let the sheets run completely free.
3. Clear the Decks: Ensure all lines are clear of tangles so they can run through blocks without jamming. Check that everyone has their life jacket securely fastened.
4. Head for Shelter: On inland lakes, "shelter" might mean the leeward side of a high bluff or simply getting the boat pointed into the wind with the engine on (if equipped) to maintain steerage.

Dealing with Lightning

Lightning is the most terrifying aspect of Wisconsin summer storms. Carbon fiber masts are excellent conductors, and you are the tallest object on the water. If lightning is visible and close (less than 30 seconds between flash and bang), the race committee should have already abandoned the race. If they haven't, you have the right under Rule 4 to decide whether or not to continue.

In a lightning situation, keep the crew low in the cockpit and away from the mast, shrouds, and stays. Avoid touching two metal objects at once. If you are in a small dinghy and the situation is life-threatening, staying low and heading for the nearest shore—even if it's not your home club—is the only logical move.

A Real-World Lesson from Lake Winnebago

Lake Winnebago is notorious for its shallow depth, which causes waves to build into steep, nasty "square" chops very quickly. During a mid-summer regatta, a cold front hit the fleet while we were on the far side of the lake.

One boat tried to "ride it out" with full sail to get back to the harbor quickly. They ended up turtled, with their mast stuck in the mud, requiring a massive salvage operation. The boats that dropped their mainsails and motored or jib-reached back safely proved that ego has no place in a squall. We always say: you can't win a race if you've lost your rig.

The Aftermath and Rule 37

If the Race Committee displays Flag V (Victor), you are required to monitor the safety channel (usually VHF 16 or a designated club channel) for instructions. Per World Sailing Rule 37, all boats must follow the instructions given by the race committee regarding safety.

Once the front passes, the wind usually stays high and shifts significantly. Don't be in a rush to put all the laundry back up. Ensure the crew is warm—hypothermia can happen even in July if you get soaked and the wind stays at 25 knots. Take care of each other, stay observant, and remember that the lake will still be there tomorrow.