Sailing Directions Atlantic Ocean: North Atlantic Ocean Pilot

North Atlantic Pilot. Along the Gulf Stream.-Winter and spring storms passing over the Gulf Stream along the E coast of the United States may be modified rapidly enough to create dangerous wind and wave situations. This is particularly true in the North Wall, a narrow band of extreme horizontal water temperature change that marks the N edge of the Gulf Stream. In early winter, cold air outbreaks along this N edge sometimes result in a doubling of the wind speed compared to the wind speeds of surrounding seas. During February and March, the waters N of the Gulf Stream are at their coldest while the Gulf Stream remains relatively warm. Also from the North Wall to 10 to 20 miles into the Gulf Stream, strong NE currents are encountered