Ahoy!
Once again mild Santa Ana winds brought warm air temperatures to Newport Harbor this week, and instead of rain like last weekend, we will have cooler air temperatures as the winds shift to an onshore breeze. The daytime air temperatures will be in the high 60s to the low 70s along the coast, and nighttime temperatures in the upper 50s, which is similar to last weekend.
The morning fog and low clouds have returned along the coast, but the clouds should start to disappear in the afternoons to let in the sunshine. Sailors can expect the prevailing winds to reach 10 knots in the afternoon after variable mornings. The Pacific swells will be up a little from mid- week, to a maximum of 5 feet from the west in the mid-San Pedro Channel and along the coast.
Inside the harbor, beware that there will be a 5-foot-plus tidal change on Saturday and Sunday. Both days going from a high tide to noontime low tide, so expect a strong outbound current in the mornings.
As always, with an eye to the north, boaters off Point Conception notice the swells decreasing this week from over 17 feet to approximately 10 feet, with winds gusting over 20 knots on Saturday and gusting over 25 knots on Sunday, so small-craft advisories will go down Friday and back up Saturday. Boaters traveling around Point Conception will face a shutdown of northbound traffic and maybe a window of opportunity for southbound traffic to sneak around the point.
Remember to always check the sea and weather conditions before you leave the dock, and show your guests where the lifejackets and safety equipment are stowed aboard your boat.
Safe Voyages,
Mike Whitehead, Capt.
