Setllar Monday, 2/23 / Skyport to San Joaquin Valley
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 7:47 amMonday Post Mortem (7:30 PM)
Monday was stellar. Look forward to reading some of the reports. Light wind coupled with plenty of sunshine out front and a strong lapse rate without a capping inversion permitted vertical development. Cloudbase fluxed from the high 3s to the low 5s and eventually moved up and back behind the range at the end of the day.
Matt Henzi flew from the Skyport to the San Joaquin Valley, about 46 1/2 miles. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first HG or PG (Matt was flying an IP6 Paraglider) flight to reach the San Joaquin Valley from the coastal range. I posted some notes about his flight at:
http://paraglide.net/log/amigo/matt_henzi/2015_02-23_skyport_to_san_joaquin_valley.htm
Including Matt's Google Earth [KMZ] 3D Flight Track
Heard Eric on the radio behind Carpinteria and spotted him en route from Divide to White Ledge on his way to Ojai. Eric reported heavy development in Ojai with rain to the north.
There was a huge gaggle at Bates. Not much wind mid-channel, but the strong lift in the mountains drew in a good breeze along the coastal cliffs at an impressive angle, initially from the SE but slowly switching around to the come from the South, then SW, and eventually from the west later in the day. Spotted a hang glider crossing behind Bates headed toward La Conchita with good altitude.
The day dawned clear and cold at altitude but warm down low. A cloud street was forming on the range by 9 am.
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Monday Morning Update (7:30 am)
Wow, what a fabulous looking morning. Sill humid, so coupled with a ballistic lapse rate expect plenty of towering cumulus development, likely overdevelopment in the mountains. Cloudbase is forecasted to be a tad low for getting over Casitas Pass, around 4Kish, but the lift towers so there is potential to go much higher. Expect ice above 6K. Not a much wind. The lower level mass flow is light from the west, but localized thermal draw should be stronger than the base wind. The early thermals will likely have some punch, but as the day ODs the lift should mellow. Expect it to soarable very early, perhaps around 9:30 and surely by 10ish.
I'll be working at my desk, but I have a view of the range and will turn my radio on later this morning.
Tuesday also looks good with a strong lapse rate up to almost 6K, and dryer. Perhaps a touch of thin high clouds but not enough to dampen the heating. Tuesday's flow is light down low, with more of a north component without the mass flow from the west.
Wednesday and Thursday look weaker by still okish.
Might have more weather this coming weekend
Monday was stellar. Look forward to reading some of the reports. Light wind coupled with plenty of sunshine out front and a strong lapse rate without a capping inversion permitted vertical development. Cloudbase fluxed from the high 3s to the low 5s and eventually moved up and back behind the range at the end of the day.
Matt Henzi flew from the Skyport to the San Joaquin Valley, about 46 1/2 miles. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first HG or PG (Matt was flying an IP6 Paraglider) flight to reach the San Joaquin Valley from the coastal range. I posted some notes about his flight at:
http://paraglide.net/log/amigo/matt_henzi/2015_02-23_skyport_to_san_joaquin_valley.htm
Including Matt's Google Earth [KMZ] 3D Flight Track
Heard Eric on the radio behind Carpinteria and spotted him en route from Divide to White Ledge on his way to Ojai. Eric reported heavy development in Ojai with rain to the north.
There was a huge gaggle at Bates. Not much wind mid-channel, but the strong lift in the mountains drew in a good breeze along the coastal cliffs at an impressive angle, initially from the SE but slowly switching around to the come from the South, then SW, and eventually from the west later in the day. Spotted a hang glider crossing behind Bates headed toward La Conchita with good altitude.
The day dawned clear and cold at altitude but warm down low. A cloud street was forming on the range by 9 am.
_______________________________
Monday Morning Update (7:30 am)
Wow, what a fabulous looking morning. Sill humid, so coupled with a ballistic lapse rate expect plenty of towering cumulus development, likely overdevelopment in the mountains. Cloudbase is forecasted to be a tad low for getting over Casitas Pass, around 4Kish, but the lift towers so there is potential to go much higher. Expect ice above 6K. Not a much wind. The lower level mass flow is light from the west, but localized thermal draw should be stronger than the base wind. The early thermals will likely have some punch, but as the day ODs the lift should mellow. Expect it to soarable very early, perhaps around 9:30 and surely by 10ish.
I'll be working at my desk, but I have a view of the range and will turn my radio on later this morning.
Tuesday also looks good with a strong lapse rate up to almost 6K, and dryer. Perhaps a touch of thin high clouds but not enough to dampen the heating. Tuesday's flow is light down low, with more of a north component without the mass flow from the west.
Wednesday and Thursday look weaker by still okish.
Might have more weather this coming weekend
OJ, Jim, Rich, Otis, Dave. Nice to have sun, and greatly consistent solid flow. 
... ERIC, MAGIC MIKE? 
