Figures - I'm off Thursday and Friday and the forecasts are calling for choppy or bumpy/semi bumpi conditions. Why? The swell direction is the same for Thursday, and slightly different for Friday. The wind speed for Thursday is not that much different from today and less then Saturday forecast but does the wind direction have that much effect to make poor or less then desirable conditions? But why? Can someone give me a brief explaination for this please? I can't figure this out. Would be making the drive from Bmore and didn't want to get there to be disappointed or decide not to go and see people out while I sit at home behind my computer, looking at the cams. Trying to learn this and the only thing I have to go by is this site and the cams.. Then it's make the decision and the drive.. and hope for the best. Thanks
And just as I post this.. Thursday CLEANS UP!! OK - this helps with my decision.. But if anyone can explain to my to help me better understand wind direction w/ respect to OCMD conditions I would greatly appreciate it
Why is that? Does your browser or ISP not allow you to go to/search for other sites to find information on forecasting/weather effects on waves?
Winds for Thursday look pretty good. Tides are key with this longer period swell. To answer your question, the winds are the primary factor in determining condition quality of the wave. If the winds are offshore (blowing from the land to the sea), then that creates "clean conditions". If the winds blow from the sea to the land (onshore), then this creates choppy/bumpy/junky/etc. conditions. Of course there is the entire 360 degree spectrum, so the closer to directly offshore the better. And in general, the lighter the wind, the glassier the conditions. A stiff offshore wind, however, can help open up the wave, creating bigger barrels. Hope that helps.
