Downwinder today
 

Gabe and I were able to pull off a nice little downwinder today at IRB to Redington. Nothing special but was just nice to get out and cruise. We are hoping that is the last light wind downwinder of the summer. Getting pretty sick of big kites at this point. We were both on 17 Conta and 17 Waroo respectively.
It was anywhere from 12-15mph from 4-6pm.

Any thoughts on the active forecast this week? What has been the pattern with SE winds? Do they tend to have a little more punch throughout the day? I know the NE winds tend to suck during the day, but how about SE winds. Looks like the end of the week might be kinda nice. We'll see. I seem to remember last season SE winds working well around the Honeymoon area, but I am not sure.

i hear ya bro.
a strong cold front iz just what the doc ordered.
the lightwind downwinders are cool in their own way too, helps to clear the mind.
pretty sure the south's r stronger round lunchtime.
l8r

SE's often amp right at 1 pm and stay strong until about 5. I think the heat helps it ramp somehow.
I look for a strong band of storms to our North on days that SE winds are predicted. If the bands are there when I wake up, I get pretty amped, 'cuz we are nearly always good to go (only skunked one day last year of about 15 of these), usually with some pretty strong stuff, like 15 to 25.
Also, I have noticed if it is good, it will feel like dry heat in town (hair dryer effect). So, if you are in town and feel like the Wind Gods are blow drying you hair at lunch break... well, don't go back to work (lmao).
Not very scientific, just observations.

i just watch the flight path of the birds for my clues.

Funny you say that Bayflite.

This is what the birdwatching report from Florida Birds for yesterday said at: http://www.lists.ufl.edu/archives/floridabirds-l.html

Birds flying south across the gulf wait for a strong blow before they go. This is close to the peak of songbird migration. This is probably more than anyone ever wanted to know, but here it is for last night.
Skemp



"Florida is under some HEAVY migration tonight. The best conditions are over
the southeastern US, down to north Florida, over to the panhandle, and the
gulf. BUT - heavy migration continues down through the state as well. Birds
are launching into the Gulf from the panhandle right now...pretty cool.
Birds along the west and east coasts seem to be following the coasts,
although easterly winds will favor the west coast and inland sites along the
east coast by morning.

I'll post the radar to http://badbirdz2.wordpress.com in the AM, but in the
meantime, you should probably plan to go birding tomorrow (I mean
seriously...it's Sunday...what else were you planning to do???)

Good Birding

David
"
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__________________________________________________ __
David A. La Puma
Ph.D. Candidate
Dept. of Ecology, Evolution, & Natural Resources
Plant Physiology Building
1 College Farm Road
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1582

No doubt about weather change thru sighting bird patterns. Had some Humming Birds show up @ the Casa in St. Pete yesterday definately on their way south. I'm thinking Cuba or Jamaica. Two weeks from now early cool front. Buy you a beer for free if not....except the 5 liter Heiny Keg...Jordain