Some Of The Strongest Wind In Years?

[ricki]

TS Noel delivered some very strong sustained winds and substantial gusts yesterday. Some areas had this wind without much in the way of squalls which is an unusual event. It is possible that wind speeds might even go higher today at points but the level of storm activity is predicted to go higher. In parts of the Bahamas it will likely be out of control in squalls at points today.





It looks like the highest winds from this event are predicted to occur over the Bahamas and SE Florida at this time. The following is forecast for Miami and Ft. Lauderdale for today:

NORTHEAST WINDS 25 TO 30 KNOTS WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 KNOTS.
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/

High waves have been moving off mainland areas since yesterday. Waves are forecast to be close to 14 ft. off Miami to just over 16 ft. off Jupiter with slightly smaller surf to the north of that for now.


ttp://magicseaweed.com/

Realtime winds across the State and Grand Bahama: http://www.windonthewater.com/

Some squall activity shows up in the radar:

http://accuweather.com

These small squalls have boosted already strong winds 15 to 20 kts. when they pass over. Not a good prospect when you are already overpowered.

Kiting in these conditions, even with a small enough flat kite (5 to 7 m flat kite?), that might be working properly is still hazardous even for well experienced kiters with high wind time. Remember the very experienced kiter who was likely knocked unconscious and drowned off Seattle in a powerful cold front in very high winds on a 7 m kite. If things go right, with the right preflighted gear that's functioning properly, well enough. Accidentally induce a kiteloop, get rolled in a 12 ft. breaker looping your kite into a tangle, getting sushi rolled in lines and having your kite load up in a massive wave, having your leading edge pressure ease and the kite invert/tangle, figured out another way, carelessly catch a wing tip on the water in a lull followed by a gust hammering that inverts and disables your kite in the surf, etc. etc.. Lots of things can go wrong and the margin for error almost goes to nil.

Guys that have never been out in anything close to this and handled it well shouldn't even think about going out. Fair advice and ignore it at your peril as some are fond of saying.

Anyway, wind should be on through Friday with more realistic winds coming through around then by forecasts. The waves should come down too. We had some beach erosion problems before, after this they may be quite severe in places. Launching or landing at higher tides (wind OR lunar induced) with no beach or downwind buffer in major gusty winds is not a good idea.

Stuff to think about.