10/03/2021
Great visual of how the wind works in La Ventana. Forecast looks great too. The wind in the spring can be amazing! https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/12250962?source_impression_id=p3_1615387016_Zn455z6OnPioHH9s&guests=1&adults=1
Buenos dias! No satellite-derived wind data were available this morning, but all forecast models show a return of solid north background flow later today. Infrared satellite loops show mostly sunny skies ahead, so look for a good thermal boost as well (see nerd note below). The latest forecast model runs continue to move a strong Pacific high pressure system eastward over the next several days, with a tightening surface pressure gradient and increasing north background flow over BCS. High clouds may thicken tomorrow and dampen the thermal some, but with solid north flow already in place we should see a windy day. Strong north flow will continue on Friday and Saturday, and while some high cloud cover may remain, it should be thin enough at times to allow strong March sun to activate the afternoon thermal. Sunny skies and continued strong north flow on Sunday will likely lead to another windy day. The surface pressure gradient is forecast to weaken substantially on Monday and Tuesday, and while the forecast is a bit uncertain, at this point it looks like enough north background flow will remain to produce a couple more good days.
Today...Mostly sunny. North wind 20-24 mph.
Thursday...Partly sunny. North wind 20-24 mph.
Friday...Mostly sunny. North wind 22-26 mph.
Saturday...Mostly sunny. North wind 24-28 mph.
Sunday...Sunny. North wind 24-28 mph.
Monday...Sunny. North wind 18-22 mph.
Tuesday...Mostly sunny. North wind 16-18 mph.
Nerd Note: While I was hiking in the incredible Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve last week, I had a clear view of the entire Baja California Sur peninsula from Todos Santos, to La Paz, to Cerralvo Island. From that vantage point, it was very clear to me how the amazing La Ventana wind machine works. Here is a google earth image showing some of the key elements that come together to produce our thermals. The area around Los Planes heats up rapidly by midday, and since warm air is lighter than cold air, it rises. This creates a partial vacuum, and since the area around Los Planes is ringed by mountains on most sides, air rushes in from the north and is funneled between Cerralvo Island and El Sargento. If there is a sufficient background north flow above the surface, the thermal effect is added to it, making magic.
