General Info Weather Logistics Accommodations
Weather
2023 LBRW Sunday, June 25 Weather Forecast
Sunday, June 25, 2023 Forecast valid: 0800HRS PDT
Saturday’s conditions will look similar to today’s but with a bit more low clouds that should mostly clear out by the blue flag. Yesterday’s conditions in the east harbor looked vastly different from winds at pier J and in San Pedro Bay where surface observations show winds in the 15-23 knots range between 3:45 and 5:30PM while the east harbor had more in the range of 8-14 knots.
I should have mentioned in yesterday’s briefing that while Long Beach has a reputation of just banging the right corner, when a velocity decrease phase kicks in it is often the left that pays and then back to the right as the pressure builds back in. This is especially true from Seal Beach and up to the Downtown Marina area. Hopefully today’s winds are more consistent.
Synopsis: An upper level low over the west coast will maintain cool temperatures and onshore flow today. Winds in the outer waters were strong enough last night to spin up a weak eddy and usher in low clouds and some fog overnight. With an early start today, the high resolution models are calling for 5-7 knots at the start. The winds don’t really pick up until after 3PM today with 14-17 knots being the peak and likely less than that prior to 3PM. Have fun, stay aboard, and enjoy another beautiful day on the water with your friends.
Winds: 6-14 G 15-16 knots
Direction: SW
Skies: Partly Cloudy
Seas: West Swell 3ft @6 seconds
Weather thanks to Ullman Sails/WxRouting
Mark Michaelsen
Mark@WxRouting.com
Voice-Text: +1 (562) 301-8334
2023 LBRW Saturday, June 24 Weather Forecast
2023 LBRW Friday, June 23 Weather Forecast
2023 LBRW Weekend Weather Forecast
Wind Speed and Direction
Sailing conditions offshore at Long Beach have a number of influences. The two major influences are the thermal sea breeze and the Catalina eddy. The thermal sea breezes are southwesterly with speeds of 10 to 16 knots in the afternoons, less in the morning. The Catalina eddy gives several days with southeasterly to south winds with speeds in the 6 to 12 knot range. This is most frequent in the spring months. Frontal systems can also occur occasionally, causing medium to strong northwesterly winds. Occasionally hot desert Santa Ana winds, or thunderstorms occur which cause unusual wind speeds and directions.
June provides some of the best, most consistent sailing conditions in Long Beach with the thermal sea breeze dominating the weather patterns at this time of year.
A daily weather briefing will be provided for all competitors. In addition the following links provide useful information to plan your on the water strategy.
Weather Links
- Sailflow Wind Forecast
- Windfinder Forecast
- LA / Long Beach NOAA’s current Meteorological Data
- SCCOOS Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing Systems
- Weather.com forecast for Long Beach providing speed and direction.
- Southern California Color Radar Map.
- NOAA’s Coastal Forecast updated daily.
Water Temperature
The California Current, a southerly ocean current provides the major influence on water temperature in Southern California. This cool ocean current should keep the water temperature in the range of 66°F to 70°F during Long Beach Race Week.
Air Temperature
The temperature during Long Beach Race Week should be between 75°F and 85°F.
Tides
Long Beach has a small tidal range, around 5-7ft. Click on the following link to view the NOAA Tides and Currents predictions for Long Beach Terminal Island during Long Beach Race Week.