DetNOODSaiflow
Sailflow has installed 2 new weather stations on Lake St. Clair and these are made complementary to racers at www.sailflow.com/detroit.Summertime winds on the Great Lakes are often dominated by light localized lake breezes but occasionally we can see weak frontal systems breaking through the southern ridge to give some varying weather and stronger winds.Looking at last year’s wind graphs for the races we see that indeed it was one of these fronts that managed to stall to the east and give a primarily ENE flow. On the first day the front was weakening and with high pressure moving onto the region the flow had a hard time taking shape. The result was weak and somewhat shifty winds as localized breezes tried to take hold. Note that inshore near the sensor (Grosse Point) we had subtle veers to the East and ESE as the NE gradient winds let off while offshore the NE flow simply faded. On day 2 we saw some energy build into the eastern frontal boundary and this brought in unstable air and moisture resulting in thunderstorms. The stronger energy created a bit more of a push of NE flow but the late afternoon storms offered a challenge to racers with gusty and strong bursts of outflow as seen on both the offshore Buoy and the inshore sensor. What is in store for the races this year? The last 2 weeks have seen a similar pattern to last year’s meandering and stalled frontal boundary. Extended models highlight another front that may line up over the race course and bring on an easterly flavor and possibly some convective storms. Real-time data and short-range forecasts are paramount to keep the edge on the competition. Sailflow is your source for real-time information from exclusive coastal sensors and proprietary model forecasts. This information is complimentary now and through the racing period at http://www.sailflow.com/detroit. Sailing Weather Services is an excellent source for local and offshore racing forecasts. In cooperation with North Sails, Sailing Weather Service is offering free precision race forecasts for this event. Sign up at http://na.northsails.com/ew/ew_main.taf
