What's happened to the Portuguese trades?

[RJJ]

So I have the first-world problem of being "stuck" in the Rias hoping for those northerlies to blast us down towards Lisbon. There doesn't seem to be any wind to speak of until late next week, and even then it's uncertain.

We don't have a particular rush and of course it's lovely here....but ideally we'd be leaving now-ish. And there's no point in waiting a fortnight for wind, and then ending up with ... The same.

...but is this "normal"? Any explanation? It looks to me as though the Azores High is small and SW compared to "normal" allowing small depressions to hit the Portuguese coast. I know some of you guys have experience here, grateful for thoughts. Thanks.

 

[RobbieW]

...but is this "normal"? Any explanation?

According to wind rose data, no - climate change innit. Also beware fog and swell down that coast, there are only a couple of good all weather harbours in > 3m swell. As a sometime delivery skipper, put the engine on

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Has to be one of the most bizarre summers for Europe as a whole.

Drastically reduced sailing mileage done mostly wearing a winter tog bobble hat.

 

[lustyd]

I’d have thought it’s more likely related to covid related shenanigans like lack of planes and shipping than climate change given how drastically different it seems and how sudden it’s been. Not saying climate change hasn’t changed things but a sudden flip of global weather seems more likely due to short term changes

 

[Graham376]

Not looked at any weather trends but have just spent a month in Lisbon and much windier than normal for time of year, didn't pay any attention to wind direction, we were ashore in concrete jungle. Algarve settled at the moment with variable light winds.

 

[Wansworth]

Further tothe north and inland the wind gets going about four in the afternoon and is quite a strong NE,goes to dead carm overnight.Normally it windier in the northern rias and doesn’t get going till late afternoon

 

[geem]

Just arrived in Cascais direct from Baiona. Spinnaker first day from dawn until dusk. Bit of motoring over night then fog. It cleared as we approached Cascais for a final blast in in 25kts.
Forecast is fog in Cascais until Friday.
My brother has lived here in Cascais for 23 years and he can't remember a more windy summer

 

[Wansworth]

So I have the first-world problem of being "stuck" in the Rias hoping for those northerlies to blast us down towards Lisbon. There doesn't seem to be any wind to speak of until late next week, and even then it's uncertain.

We don't have a particular rush and of course it's lovely here....but ideally we'd be leaving now-ish. And there's no point in waiting a fortnight for wind, and then ending up with ... The same.

...but is this "normal"? Any explanation? It looks to me as though the Azores High is small and SW compared to "normal" allowing small depressions to hit the Portuguese coast. I know some of you guys have experience here, grateful for thoughts. Thanks.

Motor out maybe a sea breeze,forecast is for NE

 

[Tradewinds]

Whenever I asked a local the reply was -

"the weather's not normally like this"

That was back in the '90s when we were on our 'adventure'.

 

[Mistroma]

Perhaps a tow from a passing friendly Orca.

It's been an odd summer in many places, not too surprised about local wind anomalies.

 

[RJJ]

Today...F6 from SSW.

 

[lustyd]

should have gone with the Orcas!