Today’s satellite picture provides a great visual when compared to the surface analysis chart. We had a front move through last night and now we have an onshore flow which will continue through Saturday. The next front and low-pressure system are clearly visible and this will arrive Sunday with yet another system arriving with more wind and rain on Monday. It must be February in the Pacific NW.
For boaters, it will mean a mixed batch of conditions for the weekend, and of course, it will depend on where you’re boating so be sure to check conditions and track the barometric pressure.
February 19 500MB 
February 19 Surface Analysis 
February 20 Surface Forecast 
February 21 500 MB 
February 21 Surface Forecast 
February 22 Surface Forecast 
February 23 500 MB 
February 23 Surface Forecast
If you’re racing out of Anacortes and heading to Friday Harbor the onshore flow down the Straits will mean a nice SW breeze of 10-15 knots for most of the day.
For the Jim Depue Race, you’ll have a nice southerly of 8-15 knots until about 1300 to 1500 hrs when the breeze will ease until a stronger(15-20knt) SW fills in the late afternoon. Be prepared for anything.
After midnight Saturday night, a stronger southerly will fill into central Sound, Admiralty Inlet, and the San Juan Islands By mid-day Sunday a strong onshore flow will come down the Straits with the onshore flow coming around the southern side of the Olympics meeting in Admiralty Inlet.
The great news this week is that CYC is going to have a Center Sound Series starting March 6th with the Blakely Rock Race. Now if only the marks will stay anchored.
Bruce has raced and cruised the Pacific Northwest his entire life. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Washington in Biological Oceanography and learned meteorology “to keep from getting kicked around on the race course.” Bruce spent nearly two decades as Associate Publisher for Northwest Yachting Magazine, retiring in mid-2015, and was the chairman of the board of trustees for the Northwest Marine Trade Association in 2014. (photo of Bruce driving Playstation is a bit dated, but cool)