Scandinavian anticyclone - 26 February 2018

We are now end of February, very close to the Stockholm boat show, which indicates the start of the new season for sailing in Sweden. In prevision of this event, we decided to spend our first night of the season on board Belisama for this weekend, having invited friends for the occasion...

This was without consulting the weather forecast for the weekend in Stockholm, and therefore, a bad idea. The Scandinavian anticyclone is getting established over Scandinavia, right above Stockholm, resulting in polar weather for pretty much of the coming week here... 

The evening went pretty cool as we started diesel heater for the first time this winter (clip below), which brought-up the temperature to a good 22°C. Most pleasant evening with Daniel... as we went to bed, killing the furnace, with the two electric heaters on full speed, the temperature dropped in the morning to 9°C in Belisama.

This morning, the perceived temperature was -17°C... Therefore, still a good differential of 26 degrees in Belisama, compared to outside. We went to Ankarhudden, the Southern most point in the Stockholm archipelago. The harbour is a bit frozen, but overall the open sea is fine. 

We then went to the natural reserverat in the area of Ankahudden.

We thought that the sea would be frozen by then, but, as the polar winter weather just started couple of days ago, it did not yet resulted in the sea being frozen. 

Just the coast and the frozen rocks visited by the sea.

Most interesting were the Fata Morgana that we saw over the horizon, but without the proper lens on the camera to document. Therefore, believe us on words, but the funny tip of Öja that you cans on the bad enlargement above is the result of a Fata Morgana, giving the impression of a pointy end of land on the right side of the island. Same for the island on the right of the picture frame giving the impression that it is deposited on the water. All of those impressions are just the result of Fata Morgana, otherwise called mirages, when the visual impression is influenced by the layers of airs of different temperatures and densities.

Most fascinating. When you have seen a Fata Morgana once, you will never miss one again... Interestingly, the last time we witnessed a Fata Morgana, it was indeed in Landsort area where we saw it today.

Great pleasure.