Gulf with North Winds

[twobitdad]

I am moving a boat from Glaveston to Matagorda on the 3,4,5th of Jan...like in a few days.
The weather is not ideal but does not look that bad for those days, with the excpetion of the North and NorthEast winds.
Anyone have any experience with North winds in the Gulf this time of year?

Thanks,

 

[WayneH]

The north winds will make your trip a pleasure a few days after the front comes through. Not right at first, though, as the standard wave pattern from the south hits the new wave pattern from the north winds.

It looks like you're going to have a great time according to WindAlert (Freeport). 2 foot set on Thursday and Friday and a 1 foot set on Saturday.

Tomorrow morning it's going to be UGLY. 4 foot waves from the SSE with S winds 18 (G35).

 

[richk]

a model

I am moving a boat from Glaveston to Matagorda on the 3,4,5th of Jan...like in a few days.
The weather is not ideal but does not look that bad for those days, with the excpetion of the North and NorthEast winds.
Anyone have any experience with North winds in the Gulf this time of year?

Thanks,

Keep an eye on the models. One place to look is the GFS model with an initial time of 18 UTC. A view of the surface and upper air pressure fields can be found at http://mag.ncep.noaa.gov/Imageanis.php . Pay attention to the sold black lines...they depict surface pressure...keep in mind that the wind kinda flows clockwise around high pressure in the northern hemisphere and the spacing of the lines indicates wind speed (tighter packing -> higher speed.)
Rich

 

[onecoolair]

Warning !!!! I must say it again beware of the Matagorda triangle!!
Do you have offshore survival suites with gps locators for each persons ?? The water is very cold this time of year. Ooops.. Forgot gps may not work in the triangle.
Call the coast guard station in port o Conner and file a float plan .... If you still insist.

 

[twobitdad]

Thanks for the info, all good stuff.
Just me on this run so I am good for the triangle...tides and currents look good for those days, that is one of the reasons for picking those dates.

 

[RTB]

Can you wait until saturday morning to leave, at daybreak? Do not be fooled by the wind and wave forecasts. 1.5 meter waves? I'd bet you be seeing some 6 footers at times. For us at least, the wind and waves are ALWAYS higher than forecast. Saturday looks excellent, so why beat up yourself and the boat? Singlehanded? I hope you have some offshore experience. Just my 2 cents.

http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/galveston_pleasure_pier

Ralph
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/brogdon/

 

[twobitdad]

Looking to leave at first light Friday morning from Seabrook. Winds should be slowing a bit but noonish. If too rough in gulf, take ICW. Overnight in Freeport area. Then last leg Saturday to past the rigs during the daylight.
Incoming tide is late afternoon so Matagorda Entrance should be fairly calm.
I have a chartplotter and Radar.

 

[RTB]

It's still a bit too far out to trust the forecasts. Wait until later in the week to make your decision. It might just work out for you. Just be safe.

All the best,
Ralph

 

[RTB]

I am moving a boat from Glaveston to Matagorda on the 3,4,5th of Jan...like in a few days.
The weather is not ideal but does not look that bad for those days, with the excpetion of the North and NorthEast winds.
Anyone have any experience with North winds in the Gulf this time of year?

Thanks,

So, did the move take place?

 

[twobitdad]

Thansk for asking....It did not happen due to many thigns but, the plans are to move it this coming weekend.
Weather is far better and I have at least 2 crew members, maybe a third.
Light to moderate NNE winds, 1-2 foot seas from the SE.
Cool but sunny.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Be happy you weren't out there THIS weekend!!! Was gusting well over thirty out of the north, most of last night and today.

 

[AnchorDragger]

... For us at least, the wind and waves are ALWAYS higher than forecast...

Have you considered that you may be over-estimating wave height since people often do ? Here's a chance to recalibrate your eyeball.

 

[RTB]

The mean wave height H is approximately equal to 2/3rds (0.64 or 64%) the value of Hs and H1/10 is
approximately equal to 1.27 times (127%) the value of Hs. In addition, the height of the highest 1% of waves
(H1/100) is approximately equal to 1.67 times (167%) Hs and a theoretical maximum wave height (Hmax) are​

approximately equal to [FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic][FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic]two times Hs[/FONT][/FONT].

More here-http://www.mxak.org/weather/pdfs/waves.pdf

 

[RTB]

Thansk for asking....It did not happen due to many thigns but, the plans are to move it this coming weekend.
Weather is far better and I have at least 2 crew members, maybe a third.
Light to moderate NNE winds, 1-2 foot seas from the SE.
Cool but sunny.

Thanks for the update. You guys be safe, and best wishes from another Texan, here in Carrabelle, Fl. We're still fighting with the Gulf to get south! It can be a B**CH...

Ralph