biscay winds

[deep denial]

I am interested in crossing biscay probabaly in a couple of years time in conjunctino with a french canals trip, and need to plan whether to go north-south, or south-north. Are the prevailing winds SW in Biscay, or is there more north in them - naturally I would rather not have to beat all the way

 

[Capn Pugwash]

Biscay Winds

In my experience, crossing N-S the winds have been NE, NW or somewhere in between. Mind you, that is Jun-Sep period. Crossed Biscay en route Gib last month and it was NW all the way (F3 - F7). Most trips S-N it has been an uncomfortable beat all the way!!

 

[bilbobaggins]

Should you find your way to a copy of the Admiralty Publication NP 22 'Bay of Biscay', you'll find depicted in there a series of 'wind roses' - Mean Monthly Wind Distribution figures - that indicate, for each season, the distribution of winds in the area of interest, to facilitate passage planning.

That's exactly what you seek, and that's why they're in there.

The current version is priced at £50.10, I see. One practical way to save on beer tokens is to acquire an outdated version, for the Climate info doesn't change from year to year ( don't tell Webbie! ). Arguably the best place to acquire an old copy is to ask in 'ere, in the Sales and Wants section - or at the Beaulieu Boat Jumble.

Enjoi!

 

[deep denial]

thanks - I'm off to the sales and wants section!

 

[ksutton]

If you go to http://www.windfinder.com/windreports/windkarte_europe.htm

Click on French map then either Brittany buoy or Gascogne buoy you will get wind history throughout year by using the "wind statistic" tab.
The same history is available for the north Spanish coast, in fact everywhere.

But then we have all come across sods law.

 

[multihullsailor6]

If you go to http://www.windfinder.com/windreports/windkarte_europe.htm

Click on French map then either Brittany buoy or Gascogne buoy you will get wind history throughout year by using the "wind statistic" tab.
QUOTE]

Thanks for that info, ksutton! I've been using windfinder a lot over the last years for short-term forecasts, never saw the statistics, great for planning purposes.

 

[wotayottie]

There are Admiralty charts wich show the prevailing winds in Biscay by percentages for each month of the year. Go to your local chart agent of to a library like the CA.

 

[deep denial]

windfinder

What a brilliant site that windfinder is!
It shows as expected the dominant average wind from the SW. But I wonder if that conceals a more subtle truth? Perhaps the SW winds are more likely to be very strong winds, the sort you might wait in port to avoid. Perhaps if you wait for a weather window it is less likely to come from the SW??

 

[ksutton]

Most people who voyage from either Brittany, or the UK west country to NW Spain will watch a depression travel in a NE direction across western Biscay. As the low continues NE (producing south westerly winds at first), wait for the westerly and north westerly's to set in before leaving.
A few days before leaving use and study http://www.passageweather.com/ seven day predictions and attempt to pick a slot. Most bad gales originate off the eastern coast of USA, (ruminants of hurricanes). Unfortunately on many occasions after the SW's have gone through it can mean a settled period follows with little wind. I have talked to more people who have motored most of the way across Biscay than have had to sail it in heavy weather.