Nortes

[cpichette]

I'm leaving for a long diving weekend in Coz tonight and looking at the weather forecast. It shows rain and winds of 12-18 mph over the weekend. I was just wondering if that correlates to a norte and port closure? I'm sure the answer is that it depends on a lot of things. I'm just looking for a generalization about what I should expect. I'd rather be happily surprised if I get to dive when I don't expect to than be disappointed if I expect to. Maybe I'll get to go to the east side again...

 

[NullNullSem]

I will be leaving this Sunday (can I get a YAY!!!! ). You made me look at the weather. Sunday calls for winds at 16mph, and sunny. The 16 seems just a LITTLE higher than 'usual' for the rest of the days in the ten day forecast, nearly all of which are "partly cloudy" and "sunny", typical seems to be 12 or 13 mph. So... I think we're good

 

[lionfish-eater]

Go to windguru.com you will find detailed speed and direction info

 

[dflaher]

Go to windguru.com you will find detailed speed and direction info

Thanks for the site, lionfish-eater. Anyone know what combination of speed and direction would constitute a norte, and drive port closure?

 

[Christi]

There is ALWAYS wind whether light or strong. The direction is a major player - the winds are predominantly from the east sometimes very weak and sometimes strong - but we don't get port closures from the east winds.

A norte means that the winds are coming from the north (logically) - if winds are coming from the west, NW, or N - then we have a norte that may close the port. NE winds have to be VERY strong to close the port

Unfortunately, the forecast for this weekend is not looking good for you my friend! Winds picking up from the NW tomorrow afternoon through the weekend! You may be ok for Sunday, but Saturday is looking bad! This is from buoyweather.com - very good track record of accuracy!

 

[cpichette]

Christi;

Thanks. That was very helpful. I get the part about wind direction. Is there a wind speed that tends to indicate there may be a problem?

Craig

 

[Prop Joe]

I'm leaving for a long diving weekend in Coz tonight and looking at the weather forecast. It shows rain and winds of 12-18 mph over the weekend. I was just wondering if that correlates to a norte and port closure? I'm sure the answer is that it depends on a lot of things. I'm just looking for a generalization about what I should expect. I'd rather be happily surprised if I get to dive when I don't expect to than be disappointed if I expect to. Maybe I'll get to go to the east side again...

You've been to the East Side, right? There is only one operation (Aldora) that can safely take you to the East side if the port is closed. Go there with Aldora , or the cenotes on the mainland. Those are your diving options, if they close the port from a Norte. The other non-diving option is take a siesta and wait it out. Call the Aldora shop and tell them your wishes. I hope they are not too booked to honor your wishes.
I wish you calm winds and unlimited vis.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

We are pre positioning Aldora V on the other side for the expected norte. Joining our beach based boats that should give us capacity for 20 divers per trip.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[divingpyrate]

How late in the season do these norte's occur

 

[Christi]

We are usually safe by mid to late March - but it's the weather - you never really know When winter is over in the states it's over here too