tc evan

[steve shearer]

Ballina AWS is very often wrong despite it being less than a mile from the Point as the crow flies.

[Roy_Stewart]

14 second period swell from TC Evan on Saturday the 22nd, bay of Plenty NZ, probably the best day for the swell and wind on our North East coast, and one of the only spots sheltered from the SE wind. 38 plus surfers out, only one who came out stoked.

http://youtu.be/4F6ZilMmzNg

[steve shearer]

38 surfers???????

I thought Enzed was uncrowded.

[Roy_Stewart]

Hi Steve Mount Maunganui can get busy at this time of year, 80 out isn't unusual at the Main Beach if the blowhole is working over the hols.

Mostly flotsam though due to equipment and other issues.

[alakaboo]

Don, you get very different wind readings due to the large open space and lots of concrete.
They heat up faster than the surrounding land.
Used to windsurf near the Sydney airport, winds there were up to 10 knots higher in summer than a couple of suburbs away..

[Donweather]

Cheers Boo, but that theory would actually mean it would be more difficult for the land breezes to kick in around airports and yet Coolly is one of the first locations on the coast usually to swing offshore after dark.

And Steve, when you say Ballina AWS is wrong, I think you just mean its different to the point. I can't imagine an airport having wrong wind speed and direction. It would just be different to the point given its not located on the coast. Coolly is very often like this partic when the seabreeze arrives. Airport still says good/light winds but Dbah/Snapper are already onshore.

[steve shearer]

yep, thats what i mean

[alakaboo]

Cools down faster too, don.
Coolangatta is normally a degree or 2 cooler than the seaway overnight.
Also have a funneling effect from local elevation ans lack of obstacles.

Sound convincing yet? I'm winging it.

[Trev]

I read something a couple of years ago where the writer was suggesting that the clearing of the natural bush along the Gold Coast and replacement with buildings and other infrastructure was changing the micro climate of the area.
They were quoting observations that showed the morning offshores were much more prevalent up to the early 70's (I think). Then as development accelerated, the land didn't change temperature as much overnight and the morning offshores were happening much less frequently.
I have no idea how right they were but the argument made sense as I read it.

[alakaboo]

Makes sense to me, Trev.
Every major population centre has an urban heat island (UHI) effect, and you'd have to think those skyscrapers get in the way of strong offshores on the northern end.

[Beanpole]

Used to see it in Newcastle regularly when BHP used to be going flat out. A storm front would pass and then swing around and come back from the North.