Sheltered for nowOn Saturday we paddled under the hills and cliffs between Portugal Cove and Bauline to avoid a fresh breeze blowing from the right. As we approached Ore Head we lost the protection of the land and faced a 15 knot wind into Bauline. We thought the wind had changed from that forecasted.
Hard to believe winds The winds for the day were forecast to be from the east (red arrows) at 20 knots.
As we approached Ore Head shown on the map we were face into 15 knot winds gusting to 20 (green arrow).
The book "Where the wind blows" indicates that the wind can change direction at the edge of a landmass, creating a cornering effect. The effect is caused by friction of the land on the wind. Windy conditions off a prominent headland are a common example and it does warn of cornering winds at Cape St. Francis.
I accept that there may be some change of direction but we experienced a change in direction of 90 degrees. The seems a little extreme to me and therefore, confounding.
When we stopped at Bauline for lunch a fisherman told us he had been to Pouch Cove on the east side of the peninsula and the wind was blowing easterly as forecast. We looked out through the harbour and the waves were breaking caused by a northerly wind. all I could do was shake my head. I find it confounding but one of those things that I now just accept, something like gospel.
Interesting, never heard of that before. Looks like a nice area to be paddling in, by the way. (With less wind, maybe...)
ReplyDeleteThe weather here certainly has its surprises doesn't it? Angie always gives me a look when I tell her we'll paddle in a certain area because it will be sheltered from the winds, and all of a sudden its blowing in our faces, similar to what you describe above.
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