Sunday, 12/26

[sd]

Sunday Morning Perception, 8 am
The forecast along with the morning observations and indicators appear problematic, but not ready to write the day off yet. We do have post frontal conditions, but there is still a band of high clouds heading our way from the Pacific, and a lot of lingering moisture. The south wind died down at the Peak and through the Channel overnight, but then built back from the north. With high clouds blocking some of the limited sun on a short day, not sure we will get enough of a thermal block to push the north wind up above the ridge, and without a strong thermal draw, the direction at Bates may be too cross. I'll give it another look later this morning, hoping Bates might pull in.
Monday is forecast to be dryer, with slightly stronger winds, but if we don't have the high clouds, it may block better.

[andy dainsberg]

if bates isnt cooperating, we could find postfrontal happiness at the Avenue with a WNW in the low teens predicted for ventura in the afternoon.

[sd]

The Avenue seems like it may be a good call this afternoon. As of this 10:30, we don't have enough heating to draw in the ocean air for Bates. It is blocking some in the mountains, but perhaps not enough with the high clouds.

We have gotten high at the Avenue, but beware that you can get into a situation requiring you to go OTB with Post Frontal flow from the NW. As an HG site, we often got to 4 or 5K in glassy smooth wave, but HGs have more speed range than a PG.

[andy dainsberg]

stayed pretty calm at the ave today~. ive never been blown otb there before (prob 30some flights) but have not launched quite a few times as the hawks tucked and the NW built to shred levels (usually catching an awesome sunset as a consolation prize). all i wanted for xmas was better conditions this winter~ c'mon earth!

[Randall]

Drove up to Skyport this a.m. at around 11 to show Joy and the twins the sights and see if anyone was around. The road up was marred with occasional rock slides but was passable. No one at launch and the north was pushing through, but the views were as spectacular as ever.

[sd]

Sam and I went south for our Sunday morning bowling. I was tempted to bring the bag, but opted to keep our load light. It was waffling light out of the east all the way down the coast. No sign of NW on the deck. The ocean was glassy. Did see nice cloud development in the Topa Mountains around 1-2 PM, with cloudbase around 5500, and also some CUs over Casitas Pass. It seemed to switch out of the west in Ventura later in the day, but never blew more than a few MPH. It was mostly glassy on the ocean during our ride back to Carpinteria around mid afternoon. La Cumbre Peak was OTB all day, but the Montecito Station indicates that it was likely launchable down lower with light flow from the SE. A lot of high clouds, thick at times, but it may have been soarable from the mid altitude launches.

Randall, who are Joy and the Twins?

[Randall]

Tom, the twins are Reeve and Sierra, born Oct. 10. Joy is their Mom -- and I am their Dad! This was their first trip out of Santa Monica. They enjoyed their drive up into the mountains; slept the whole way.