SUNDOG
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SANTA ANA WINDS
These winds also happen in Baja Norte where I live. Some of you probably know all about them. I didn't but always wondered, so did a little research.
This is what I came up with. Hope some of you find it interesting.
http://www.bajasundog.com/donhumphrey/santaanawinds.html
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Barry A.
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SUNDOG------thanks for posting that-----interesting stuff.
As a climatology student in college, I agree with all of it with the possible exception of the claim that the SoCal climate is "Mediterrainean"
(sp???) -------since less that 10 inches of rain per year is common in SoCal, that qualifies it as a "desert". So the truth is that SoCal climate is
somewhat unique, and is a "desert with a winter rainy season", or something like that. Only the Chambers of Commerce refer to it as the somewhat
exotic "mediteranian" (never could spell that word).
Barry
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BajaWarrior
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We're coastal San Diego and not far from you SUNDOG. How far inland are you in Baja Norte to experiance the high winds?
We didn't get any wind at all but never do (on the coast).
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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k-rico
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In Tijuana they're called Santanas, as in Carlos. Strong steady dry winds with gusts generally from the northeast. Happens every year about this time.
They dry out the chapparal/forest and then it catches fire. 10% humidity is not unusual. They're supposed to be whipping up tonight and blowing for a
couple of days. If they do there will be fires. Weak Santanas provide great weather, warm, dry, and extraordinary clear air.
[Edited on 10-13-2008 by k-rico]
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marv sherrill
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Mediterranean climate is really defined as a desert climate moderated by a body of water - hence southern Europe and northern Africa - Usually around
30 degrees north and south latitude, where rainfall is normally 10-14 inches ( So Cal). As one goes inland, the climate quickly fades to desert
conditions, and receives less than 10 inches per year, assuming mountains are not present..
I hope everyone is not totally confused now....
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tjBill
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Interesting, growing up in Orange County I thought Santa Ana winds only occurred near Santa Ana. I was surprised to discover they occur in Northern
Baja too.
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toneart
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They are not part of the Santa Ana winds up here in Northern California, but it has been very windy here for four days. Cold too! Severe fire danger.
One has just broken out in the Fairfield area.
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Barry A.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by marv sherrill
Mediterranean climate is really defined as a desert climate moderated by a body of water - hence southern Europe and northern Africa - Usually around
30 degrees north and south latitude, where rainfall is normally 10-14 inches ( So Cal). As one goes inland, the climate quickly fades to desert
conditions, and receives less than 10 inches per year, assuming mountains are not present..
I hope everyone is not totally confused now.... |
Marv------It is my understanding that historically very few places in the SoCal coastal region reach, or exceed, 10 inches of rain per year (which is
classified as "desert"). But I went to school a very long time ago and the definitions may have changed over time (???).
It is academic, anyway, and I probably should not have brought it up.
I love "santa ana winds", and always have, being a humidity hater, and a lover of hot. 
Barry
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Mexitron
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Barry--I think marv's definition is climatologically correct--you could say in some instances that SoCal is a desert but the average of 10 inches of
precip is only true in the far south...LA is 12-15 inches a year, Santa Barbara a little more. Its the ocean's influence that makes the difference
though--moderating the seasons and giving it the technically correct term of Mediterranean. Now, when you are down by Guerrero Negro, where the
rainfall is around 3"/year but its still next to the ocean its debatable as to whether "Mediterranean" still applies...
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David K
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If you visit Greece and southern Italy, and you are from Southern California Coastal region, one thing stands out... the plants are the same! The area
makes you think you are in the hills of San Diego County. Wild mustard and artichoke grows as weeds on our hills and theirs...
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Barry A.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
If you visit Greece and southern Italy, and you are from Southern California Coastal region, one thing stands out... the plants are the same! The area
makes you think you are in the hills of San Diego County. Wild mustard and artichoke grows as weeds on our hills and theirs...
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David------so why don't the Greeks and Italians call their climate zone "Coastal SoCal"?
Mexitron-------thank you for setting me straight. I remember way back when in college (early 60's) that we always argued about it----sounds like they
have finally nailed it down.
Barry
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SUNDOG
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How far inland
Baja Warrior asked how far inland I am. I am just a few miles inland and about 50 miles south os the border.
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bacquito
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Thanks, interesting. The winds in Ensenada yesterday were from the west and therefore not Santa Ana. Also. it was windy and cool!
bacquito
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BajaBruno
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I drove north from La Paz last November during the big SoCal burn and I first hit the winds just south of Conception Bay. North of Mulege they were
roaring from the east so hard that the semi's were parked. I stopped for the night at Baja Cactus and had the same wind the next day all the way to
the border. Sand drifts on the highway and the right side windows of the Jeep were badly pitted. Quite an experience, as I had no idea the winds
would dig that far south.
Christopher Bruno, Elk Grove, CA.
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BajaWarrior
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBruno
I drove north from La Paz last November during the big SoCal burn and I first hit the winds just south of Conception Bay. North of Mulege they were
roaring from the east so hard that the semi's were parked. I stopped for the night at Baja Cactus and had the same wind the next day all the way to
the border. Sand drifts on the highway and the right side windows of the Jeep were badly pitted. Quite an experience, as I had no idea the winds
would dig that far south. |
That stretch of Hwy. 1 is very close to the Pacific Ocean. Usually the offshore winds don't reach the coast, at least not in great strength.
I live in Mission Bay San Diego and there has been hardly any wind in fact what wind we have is coming from the south west, but only a few miles
inland, Kearny Mesa lets say, it is a stiff breeze coming right out of the east.
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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