Memorize this:

windfind · Joined: 18 Mar 1997 Posts: 1902

Hi Gang,

Today was a rare set up as wind in the 30 knot range rocked Southern California, Hawaii, the S. F. Bay Area, the Oregon coast and the Gorge.

Memorize the pattern in the image below. It is a meteorologist dream. Notice the huge North Pacific High lording over the pacific from the west coast to Hawaii. This high is a massive dome of clockwise spinning air centered today about a 1000 miles west of the Golden Gate. On the west coast it is creating powerful NW wind. In Hawaii it creates blasting ENE trade winds.

Meanwhile a massive surface low extending from the Columbia River Basin to the desert SW is sucking the NW flow through gaps in the Cascades and the California coast range making those venues rip with westerly wind.

The North Pacific High and the low acting in concert are forming a huge pressure gradient represented by the tight isobars along the west coast and over the Gorge.

Why is this pattern a meteorologist dream. If is so easy to forecast that you can do the forecast in 15 minutes so you actually get to sail or kite.

Mike Godsey
iwindsurf.com/ikitesurf.com

csr7 · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 12:21 am Post subject:

It was 4.7 in Pistol River, Oregon coast.

wmike · Joined: 20 Jan 2001 Posts: 207 Location: Maui

Last 2 days in Kanaha had lots of blowing sand which is usually 4.0 for me at 140#. But Monday I ended up on 3.7 and 64 liters, today 3.7 on 75 liters. Lots of the big guys on 4.2 and smaller boards. Lots of people on 3.7's and 3.3s. Wind swell was as high as the north swell making for some big (mixed up) waves in uppers. Saw a broken mast and a broken boom today and a broken mast yesterday along with a board that got t-boned by a blind down the liner. Good thing the guy slogging out had a helmet on. That was only the uppers damage, bet lowers was more.

Temira · Joined: 15 Jun 1999 Posts: 94 Location: Hood River

Mike,

LOL! Sure made it easy for me too. Yeah, it's going to rip... go to the coast, sail the Gorge... doesn't much matter. Same today... what a beautiful day it's going to be!

Let's keep that NPH all summer. That's what makes for good Gorge winds, not this frontal passage garbage and upper level lows off the coast that we've had the last three seasons. Plus, it sure does make for easier forecasting, and I could use less time in front of a computer and more on the water! =)

Have a good one!

Temira