¡Buenos dias! A midnight pass by the Oceansat 3 satellite measured NW winds at 10 knots over the southern Sea of Cortez, and all of the most recent numerical model forecasts show ample north flow continuing today. Infrared satellite loops early this morning confirmed model predicitions of clearing skies over our region, and although we will likely see increasing high clouds again by late afternoon, we should see enough sun to trigger our local thermal and bring us a windy afternoon. Low pressure in the middle and upper levels of the atmosphere far to our west will begin a slow move eastward on Wednesday, and circulation around this system will bring significant cloud cover into BCS. Models forecasts also show the surface pressure gradient becoming very weak, so a down day is likely tomorrow. As the low to our west draws closer on Thursday, models are in fairly good agreement that we will see rain overspreading the southern Baja Peninsula, with another light wind day expected. Surface high pressure is then forecast to begin building into the interior west of the U.S. on Friday, with the surface pressure gradient tightening a bit over BCS and background north flow increasing. Although it does look like we will have ample north background flow on Friday, lingering moisture in the low levels of the atmosphere will likely lead to significant cloud cover and even some showers, so we may have to wait one more day before our local thermal is back. As cloud cover thins and surface high pressure builds into the southwestern U.S. on Saturday, it looks like our local wind machine will finally return. Long-range model forecasts are in excellent agreement that the high to our north will remain locked in place and bring us solid north flow through the weekend and likely well into next week, and with abundant sunshine expected, we will likely see a stretch of classic La Ventana days.
(Tides)- Today…Mostly sunny, then increasing high clouds late. North wind 16-18 mph.
- Wednesday…Mostly cloudy with a few sprinkles possible. Northeast wind 8-10 mph.
- Thursday…Cloudy with rain likely. North wind 8-10 mph.
- Friday…Mostly cloudy with showers likely. North wind 12-14 mph.
- Saturday…Mostly sunny. North wind 18-22 mph.
- Sunday…Sunny. North wind 18-22 mph.
- Monday…Sunny. North wind 16-20 mph.