What do the colors on the Windy.com Widget mean?

The Windy app uses a color scale to indicate wind strength:

• Light blue: 0-5 knots (very light winds)

• Blue: 5-10 knots (light winds)

• Green: 10-20 knots (moderate winds)

• Yellow: 20-30 knots (strong winds)

• Orange: 30-40 knots (very strong winds)

• Red/Purple/Pink: 40+ knots (extremely strong winds)

Blue and Green = Great conditions.
Yellow and Orange = Average Conditions.
Red/Purple/Pink = Extreme conditions.

Will we cross the Drake if it’s unsafe?

A ship will never cross the Drake Passage if it's deemed unsafe. The safety of the passengers and crew is the top priority. The experienced captain and crew are trained to recognize and respect the unpredictable weather patterns of the Drake Passage. If the conditions are deemed unsafe, the ship will not attempt to cross. Instead, it will wait at the mouth of the Beagle Channel until the weather systems pass, ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey for all on board. While this may interfere with your total time spent in Antarctica, the safety of everyone on board is the utmost concern, and it will never be compromised. This is an EXTREMELY unlikely occurrence and does not happen very often.

What is the best month to cross the Drake Passage?

During the summer months in Antarctica, from November to March, the Drake Passage remains unpredictable, with no month being significantly better than others for crossing. Anyone who tells you one month is better than the other is lying to you.

How long does it take to cross the Drake Passage?

All modern-day expedition vessels will take one and a half, to two days to cross the Drake Passage; depending on the vessel’s speed, and weather conditions. The newer ships can usually make the crossing in a day and a half, while the older, slower vessels typically need the full two days.

How big are the waves in the Drake Passage?

During the “Drake Lake”, waves will average between zero to eight feet (0m-2.5m), while average conditions are normally eight to 12 feet (2.5m-4m). Extreme Drake crossing can see swells as large are 15-20feet (5m+).