WIND BEFORE RAIN: NAUTICAL SAYING

WIND BEFORE RAIN

Readers will probably be familiar with the well used nautical saying, “Wind before rain, let your topsail fill again. Rain before wind, sheets and topsails mind,”

But what does it actually mean?

Simply put – if there is a squall on the way and the wind picks up before it starts to rain then the squall will be short and not too severe.

But if the rain comes first it means that the precipitation is being cast out of the storm more violently and it’s likely you’re in for a bit of a rough ride. If that’s the case the sails need shortening.