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Blog: Why so many Bay Area eddies this season.

 
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windfind



Joined: 18 Mar 1997
Posts: 1899

PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 11:27 am    Post subject: Blog: Why so many Bay Area eddies this season. Reply with quote

Hi Gang,

Part one of this blog below is about the smaller eddies mostly in the Bodega to Golden Gate area that have been so common during the 2019 summer season. These smaller eddies often totally or partially die in the afternoon making for extremely difficult forecasts since the southerly eddy wind may die allowing NW wind to curve into Bay.

Part Two of the blog will cover days like tomorrow when huge elongated eddies that endure for day creating non-stop southerly winds.

At this point, if you are a coast or 3rd. Ave. kiter or windsurfer, you are fed up with all this forecast talk about eddies. While if you are Pt. Isabel or Larkspur regular you relish any mention of an eddy.

This blog tries to explain why we are seeing so many eddies now compared to decades past. It also gives you some hints about the future and eddies.

https://blog.weatherflow.com/west-coast-wind-blog-why-so-many-bay-area-eddies-this-season-part-one/

Mike Godsey
iwindsurf.com/ikitesurf.com
Weatheflow.com



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airwave



Joined: 29 Jun 2000
Posts: 386

PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 3:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Most of the time, not all, but most, the eddies are a good indicator of getting wind at Sherman. The Bay area has far more sailors and kiters out at Sherman than down the coast. So, focusing on the eddies creating wind for Sherman would be helpful information. When the forecast is for an eddy and a heatwave the winds are doubtful. But when there is an eddy and a cool down or consistent temps it usually provides useful wind.
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windfind



Joined: 18 Mar 1997
Posts: 1899

PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 4:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Airwave,

You are right about eddies and heatwaves. Unlike classic marine surges that bring a mass of cool air and end a heatwave eddies are too small to impact a marine layer except near the coast. So heat during an eddy can turn off Sherman and sometimes even Pt. Isabel.

The most reliable eddy sites when there is a small eddy in the average location and there is not a heatwave:

(Most reliable)
Pt. Isabel
Treasure Island
San Luis
Sherman Island very early AM and afternoon
Crissy outside if the marine layer is not too deep
Larkspur if the eddy is making SSW winds
Davis Pt. if the eddy is making SSW winds
Alameda
Stick
Coyote if eddy is not too SSW
Berkeley
(Less reliable)

The worst sites are:
Coast
3rd. inside near launch.
Rod & Gun, Bullhead

The most reliable eddy sites when there is a huge elongated eddy (probably like tomorrow) are:

(Most reliable but weaker wind)
Larkspur,
Shimada Park
Pt. Isabel
Davis Pt.
North tower Golden Gate
Treasure Island towards Point Blunt
Sherman Island
(Less reliable but weaker wind)

Since the small eddies wobble around a lot the list above is just a useful generalization. For example, if the eddy moves to the west Larkspur goes to the top of the list. If move closer to the Bay Area then Treasure Island, Berkeley and Coyote move towards the top of the list.

Mike Godsey
iwindsurf.com/ikitesurf.com
Weatheflow.com
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