Mojave Forecast?

[Jason Klein]

Can anyone provide some input on what to look for for a favorable Mojave wind forcast? Or, for anyone experienced at it, what does it look like to you for Thanksgiving weekend? With no snow in sight, I'm thinking about heading down there for the weekend.

[Craig Goudie]

Hi Jason,

What to look for; Strong high pressure over Utah and or Santa Anna winds (strong off shore in Southern California), make
for good North wind at the South end of the lake (Cabin Site Cove). You can also get a good North push right after a
cold front goes through just like here. If you want South winds at 6 Mile (Searchlight), you should look for
a strong cold front approaching from the West, and/or low pressure in Las Vegas.

Forecasting for Thanksgiving this early out probably won't be too accurate, but historically there are about
4 days during the Thanksgiving week that are rideable. I can't speak to Kite sizes from direct experience,
but usually one of those days is 4.5 sails or 7-9M Kites, one is 5.5 or 9-11 M Kites, and 2 are 7.5 or 12-16M Kites.

I'm still planning to post a Turkey Week Forecast for Mohave, but probably not until this Saturday.

-Craig

[salvador]

hey jason. the wind dance works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tjacques]

only if you drink mas tequilla!!! if there is a chance for wind there my sorry water winnie but will heading south!!!!

[Josh Shirley]

Jason:

I have tried adding good forecasts links into the weather page regarding Mojave. The last link "iwindsurf" is somewhat decent. The service includes four and sometimes five computer model forecasts. On top of the forecast you will see tabs "wfs" "wrams" "gfs" etc. click on each of these to get the different model. The "wfs" weather forecast service is the one I typically stick to.

But in general look for Santa Ana conditions: high pressure developing over the great basin region, and low humidity in La la land. Low temps over the great basin with the high presure causes the air to sink. I believe this is called katabatic wind. As it sinks it heats up and moves faster. The escape for the wind is through southern california. Mojave sits at 620 feet above sea level so the winds can really build as they drop into the river basin.

I like to wait for these conditions before I go down. During the fall these conditions seem to happen a lot.

Also last years Thanksgiving week cabin site cove had four days of 25-30 mph north wind.

[Mike Egan]

You need a front, then hope for a high to build. If the high does not build you will get 2 to 3 days on the front. If the high builds in after the front it can be windy for a week. If you go with no front and just a high over utah & neveda good luck, that is risky. Looks like there maybe a front middle of next week that will break through this high.

[salvador]

a go in south mexico

[tjacques]

looking better for sat- sunday. talked to a local kite friend down there he said it has been okay. gonna look hard at craigs forecast but might have to get some chilli mojave desert winds.
http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/laughlin_lake_mohave
snow? when it is here!!!