Several decades ago it was impossible to forecast when a counter-clockwise eddy would spin up and change the Bay Area summer coast winds from the prevailing mild NW winds to mild SW winds. For wind sports enthusiast the direction of the coast winds determine which launch sites are windy and where the strongest winds will…
Have you noticed the amazing sunrises and sunsets recently in the Bay Area? These 2 photos by Linh at Crissy on July 24 are spellbinding. In the first, the winds have faded, the wings, kites, and sails are being packed away, and wispy marine layer clouds are tiptoeing through the Golden Gate. But just an…
Sun, Jul 21 2024 Forecast looks on track with only the timing of eddies arrival in question. The same pattern continues with solid NW winds from the North Pacific High and strong WNW winds over the Peninsula at ≈ 1000 feet aloft (975 MB). The pressure gradients is split between Sacramento and Stockton but only…
As I write at 10:45 AM on July 12, a tiny eddy is dying between the Golden Gate and Stinson Beach. This satellite animation shows the current winds as the eddy dies. This afternoon, with the eddy gone, mild NW winds reach into the Bay. With a max pressure gradient towards Sacramento, we should see…
The greater San Francisco Bay Area usually has very different wind patterns than the Central California coast and Southern California Coast. But, on Saturday, July 13, a huge eddy impacts the entire region. Sat, Jul 13 2024, Bay Area extended forecast. Note: DAWN PATROL: Very early AM strong winds develop Larkspur/Clark’s Brickyards to Benicia to Benicia…
Forecast Jargon Decoder: Wednesday, July 3, 2024 BELOW the heat bubble created by a historic lingering heat wave, a tiny eddy off San Francisco sends a narrow finger of up and down upper-teens to low 20’s wind from mid Golden Gate to Brooks Island & Larkspur and maybe 3rd. Ave. Channel. Meanwhile, Arroyo, Pismo and…
Forecast Jargon Decoder: June 30, 2024 It’s a fun day to arrive at Ocean Beach near dawn and watch the SSW eddy winds blow apart as big NW white caps reach the sand by 1 p.m. Ohh! Be sure to bring your kite! Expect upper-teens to mid 20’s winds on the ENTIRE coast, Crissy beach,…
Forecast Jargon Decoder: June 29, 2024 Unsettled upper-teens to low 20’s winds focus in the mid Golden Gate to Pt. Isabel ton near Pt. Isabel to mid San Pablo Bay. Meanwhile, upper-teens winds are unsteady in the 3rd. Ave. Channel and especially near the launch sites late. This pattern develops as: 1. The North Pacific…
Forecast Jargon Decoder: June 20,2024, do you enjoy these Decoders? Tricky day for launch site winds. Strongest winds mid Golden Gate to Brooks Island to near Shimada Park + 3rd. Ave. Channel & Waddell. Napa Complex day with a combo of strong WSW/SSW wind north of the Bay Bridge and WNW vs WSW wind on…