What in the world is Año Nuevo clearing?

by Mike Godsey, mike@iwindsurf.com

Those of you who make the drive to Waddell and points south are well acquainted with Año Nuevo clearing and the racing of your heart as you finally round a fog shrouded curve and see impossibly blue skies near Año Nuevo. But for Bay sailors the frequent comment about Año Nuevo clearing in the forecast may seem cryptic. So I made this animation so you can see what it looks like. The reason Año Nuevo clearing is so important to Santa Cruz area winds is complex and one day I will  do a blog on super critical flow and  the magic Waddell’s complex wind machine.

And even if you do not ply the coast waters early Año Nuevo clearing is a good sign for Crissy, Coyote & 3rd. since it typically is a harbinger of clearing at those sites.