How often and why?

[reginaldon]

How often annd why can we see the wind at low level going in a diametrically opposite direction to the clouds?
This am. the wind at 200' on a promontary is blowing a flag in a ENE direction, whilst the lower clouds, no higher than 1000' are going in a WSW direction.

 

[Richard10002]

Coreolis Effect? Onshore/Offshore Breezes? Headlands, Hills, Valleys etc. diverting the wind locally?

 

[LymingtonPugwash]

Experienced something similar a number of times in the Solent. Been sailing one way down the Solent on a run with spinnaker set and could see another yacht a mile or so away with spinnaker set on a run coming at me in the opposite direction!

Tends to wake you up a bit as you know it could end in tears if you don't keep your wits about you and get the spinnaker down soon!

Different reason to the one for your puzzle.... but have many of you seen that happen? Interesting puzzle but quite a straight forward reason for it......

 

[Twister_Ken]

In the Solent, that's sometimes the effect of a sea breeze coming into both ends of the Solent. Rarely run and run, though most likely port and stbd reaches.