the dumbest quetion ever but I am going to ask anyways. Does the wind ever blow off shore in CA. I mean I am sure it can at times but is it common? It seems like it would be most common north to south. Is their wave quality less dependent on shore winds than the east coast?
If you have heard of the Santa Ana Winds, this is produced from a pressure gradient that creates a wind moving from the inland mountains towards the coast (an offshore wind).
In general tho, since the storm systems move further to the north, there isn't the regular offshore flow we see on the east coast.
Also, we can make a general statement comparing east versus west coasts on any land mass, that the east coasts will see more offshore winds. This is because weather moves from west to east. So west coasts tend to see more regular onshore flow.
The reason So. Calif is a surfing mecca, is because high pressure tends to sit right over the area. This creates for light winds. So, a typical day is calm to very light winds in the morning with onshore sea breezes developing during the day.
Isnt this only in the northern hemisphere, dont weather patterns reverse in the southern hemisphere?
no, weather always move west to east due to the rotation of the earth. However, in the southern hemisphere, air circulation moves clockwise around a low pressure rather than counter clockwise in the northern hemi. And vice versa for High Pressure.Originally Posted by Zansurf
Thats what it is the rotation of cyclones and anti-cyclones reverse. Word just trying to revisit Geog 106
yes... thats what I stated above. a low pressure is a cyclone, and a high pressure is anti cyclone. The circulation is reversed in the northern/southern hemis.Thats what it is the rotation of cyclones and anti-cyclones reverse. Word just trying to revisit Geog 106
This is starting to get confusingall you have to remember in general terms is the weather and swell move west to east. Unfortunately, we live on the coast that the swell moves away from. Generally speaking that is
Isn't that why when you flush, toilet water spins a different direction in the northern hemisphere than it does in the southern hemisphere?
That really is not a dumb question.
SwellInfo hit it perfect though because it is usually glassy as hell in the AM and then around 10 - 11 it is blown out. From what I noticed though is our blown out is much worse then their mid day blown out conditions.
It feels like the wind just does not blow as hard there then it does here. That is just what I have noticed for the short periods of time I have been out there so I am not saying I am correct. Basically I would rather surf their blown out conditions over ours...
Thanks for all the replies.
Reply With Quote
