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roverhi · 17-08-2009, 19:26

You are probably referring to Tropical Depression Guillermo. There are a bunch of depressions generated in the Gulf of Panama during the summer and fall. The early ones tend to head west towards Hawaii, the later ones more often go north up the Mexico coast though this is not always the case. Just ask the people who were on Kauai when Iwa hit in November of '82. These depressions from Panama march across the Pacific, usually staying below 20 degrees N. Latitude building into hurricane or Tropical storms about 1/2 way to Hawaii then slowly disipipate till they pass south of the Islands as a mild low. This year, the lows seem to be getting closer to the Islands before they dissipate and heading a bit further north. Guillermo is staying much further north at 22 degrees plus currently and predicted to head even further north. Fortunately it's starting to ramp down so won't be a serious storm, if you call 39mph winds not serious, by the time it crosses the typical sailing route early Wednesday.

These storms will make for some unpleasant sailing if anyone is dumb enough to depart as the low is approaching. They would see strong northerly winds which won't won't allow them to sail in the direction they want to go in 10' plus confused seas and heavy rain. Not something that most people would elect to do. All you have to do is wait for the center of the low to pass then boogie north with southerly winds to speed you beyond the influence of the storms. It's the storms in the North Pacific that are typically the real dusters. It's at least a week and usually longer after your departure from Hawaii before you get into the North Pacific weather systems. That's too far away for a forecast to be much good at departure. Fortunately, the N Pacific lows are relatively rare and mild in the summer.

For those heading to Hawaii, you just have to keep your eye on these lows. If one is going to cause problems, just bore holes in the ocean well above 20 degrees north latitude till the storm passes.
Aloha
Peter Ogilvie
Pa'akai O'o, Pearson 35 #108
Too many Landrovers, some even run.

17-08-2009, 19:26	#29
roverhi Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kona, Hawaii Boat: Pearson 35 #108 Posts: 740	You are probably referring to Tropical Depression Guillermo. There are a bunch of depressions generated in the Gulf of Panama during the summer and fall. The early ones tend to head west towards Hawaii, the later ones more often go north up the Mexico coast though this is not always the case. Just ask the people who were on Kauai when Iwa hit in November of '82. These depressions from Panama march across the Pacific, usually staying below 20 degrees N. Latitude building into hurricane or Tropical storms about 1/2 way to Hawaii then slowly disipipate till they pass south of the Islands as a mild low. This year, the lows seem to be getting closer to the Islands before they dissipate and heading a bit further north. Guillermo is staying much further north at 22 degrees plus currently and predicted to head even further north. Fortunately it's starting to ramp down so won't be a serious storm, if you call 39mph winds not serious, by the time it crosses the typical sailing route early Wednesday. These storms will make for some unpleasant sailing if anyone is dumb enough to depart as the low is approaching. They would see strong northerly winds which won't won't allow them to sail in the direction they want to go in 10' plus confused seas and heavy rain. Not something that most people would elect to do. All you have to do is wait for the center of the low to pass then boogie north with southerly winds to speed you beyond the influence of the storms. It's the storms in the North Pacific that are typically the real dusters. It's at least a week and usually longer after your departure from Hawaii before you get into the North Pacific weather systems. That's too far away for a forecast to be much good at departure. Fortunately, the N Pacific lows are relatively rare and mild in the summer. For those heading to Hawaii, you just have to keep your eye on these lows. If one is going to cause problems, just bore holes in the ocean well above 20 degrees north latitude till the storm passes. Aloha Peter Ogilvie Pa'akai O'o, Pearson 35 #108 Too many Landrovers, some even run.