Utah Windriders Association

So whats the word on Rush when its south?? I have heard mix messages from, go get it to be afraid.

What the deal I'm looking at Pennys and it a solid 20+ should I go get it or stay Home???

Thanks.

Hi Bordy,

If the prevailing wind is South, and forecast at less than 20 MPH,
(like 10-15) Rush usually has PM winds that are punctuated by long lulls.

I believe this is caused by a pressure fight between the prevailing
(global) pressure, and the localized (thermal induced) pressure.
As you drive out you'll often notice the wind is North right up to
about Tooele, and then switches abruptly South.

If the
forecast is for prevailing winds over 20 MPH, it will usually steady up
considerably (and be very strong). Notice under
these conditions that there is no PM North thermal at the SW end of
the GSL, in fact it's usually a strong South wind when it punches through the North thermal. Best bet for a South is to be there preceeding
a dry front by about 5 hours. Of course the really good wind
is North after the front for about 12 hours, or until it gets dark.

Thunderheads and downdraft winds can pop up, and make for dangerously
gusty conditions out there, but that's more rare in the Spring. Keep your
eyes on the South end of the lake and if it goes suddenly dark, you've
got about 3 minutes to get to safety.

If the prevailing winds stay South for 2 days in a row the second day
always seems a little better.

My .02

Oh, and in the immortal words of Gunnars, "If you don't go you
won't ride"

bordy wrote:So whats the word on Rush when its south?? I have heard mix messages from, go get it to be afraid.

What the deal I'm looking at Pennys and it a solid 20+ should I go get it or stay Home???

Thanks.

Craig-
That was an awesome weather tutorial. I've always wondered why it blows north to Tooele and south at Rush. Thank you. Maybe you can, from time to time, give us tutorials on our local sailing weather patterns? Thanks

Billy,

A couple more comments for you concerning a south at Rush.

1. Some of the best south wind during the summer months is in the AM. The wind will blow from the SE and can be as steady as a north. It becomes more gusty during the afternoon.

2. During the hot summer months you have to watch out for microbursts. You can usually see them coming, tell-tale signs are dust devils to the south and a cloud of dust approaching. You want to drop your kite if you see one coming and hunker down. The only kiting fatality that has occurred in Utah was due to our friend Mitch getting caught in a microburst. Mitch loved nuking winds and I saw him ride through a couple microbursts, but the one that got him was amazingly strong.

3. The south winds at Rush can be incredibly strong. There have been a few days where the wind has been too powerful to kite, but they are rare and are usually accompanied by high wind warnings for I-80 between Tooele and Wendover.

I think it is a good precaution to wear a helmet and impact vest on strong south days. Take care in launching and landing your kite as well. We get too complacent because we kite so many days in light, steady north winds.

Thanks for the Beta! We had a great day out yesterday and i spent every couple of minutes looking over my shoulder for Darkness and dust devils. I'm on my way back out right now!!

Craig thanks for the info very helpful!!!

Kenny sure missed you out there last night I was forced to follow Jason south to the green lagoon and that end is so buttery and pretty!!

Rush is Cush thats for sure.

Spencer took the time to recap the day we lost Mitch. I always felt I would release gear in a pinch, now I will not hesatate to release my gear!!!