Cheasapeak info needed

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Cheasapeak info needed

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Cheasapeak info needed

Posted by Ed Ellis on April 16, 2004 at 22:33:00:

I'm planning on sailing Tranquility from Annapolis to Perdido Bay, AL (near Pensacola, FL) via Bahamas & Keys, departing

sometime in the middle of May, arriving early in August. Can someone let me know what the prevailing winds are likely to be

in the Cheasapeak in the middle of May? Thanks, Ed

Follow Ups:

Re: Cheasapeak info needed Chris Randolph 13:22:36 04/19/04 (0)
Re: Cheasapeak info needed Terry Green 06:41:27 04/18/04 (1)
Re: Cheasapeak info needed Dan White 16:36:09 04/18/04 (0)
Re: Chesapeak info needed Dan White (3696) 16:03:50 04/17/04 (0)

Posted by Chris Randolph on April 19, 2004 at 13:22:00:

In Reply to: Cheasapeak info needed posted by Ed Ellis on April 16, 2004 at 22:33:00:

According to the NOAA information from the BWI windrose, the prevailing winds from March-May are West, with WNW and NW being

next most frequent.

I would agree that May is one of the best months to cruise the Chesapeake.

Posted by Terry Green on April 18, 2004 at 06:41:00:

In Reply to: Cheasapeak info needed posted by Ed Ellis on April 16, 2004 at 22:33:00:

We spent 12 years on the Chesapeake, where I taught marine weather. The prevailing winds are Southwesterly. As a cold front

approaches they will increase in speed from that direction and will clock to the Northwest only with frontal passage. Should

the low pressure system pass south of your location the winds will move counterclockwise to the east and then the north. Once

again the prevailing winds are SOUTHWESTRLY.

Terry Green
36040
"Second Wind"

Posted by Dan White on April 18, 2004 at 16:36:00:

In Reply to: Re: Cheasapeak info needed posted by Terry Green on April 18, 2004 at 06:41:00:

Terry's comment is interesting in that it is contrary to my general impression, although I am not an expert on the subject.
On the other hand, this is from the US Navy:
https://www.cnmoc.navy.mil/nmosw/tr8203 ... /sect2.htm

"Prevailing wind direction in the Chesapeake Bay is generally from north to south, but varies greatly from the effects of air

and sea interaction and from the presence of land."

I wonder what causes the difference?

Posted by Dan White (3696) on April 17, 2004 at 16:03:00:

In Reply to: Cheasapeak info needed posted by Ed Ellis on April 16, 2004 at 22:33:00:

The Chesapeake in May is, in a word, fabulous.

Prevailing direction, I would guess, is out of the Northwest, but you could easily get some from just about anywhere. Today

it was Southerly around 10 knots.

If we get a storm it could be a Nor'easter. If that happens, stay in port. They can hang around for 3 days. Feel free to

contact for more info if needed.
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