Coastally Trapped Wind Reversals along the United States West Coast during the Warm Season. Part I: Climatology and Temporal Evolution

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Abstract
The northerly winds that predominate along the U.S. west coast during April–September are interrupted periodically by abrupt reversals to southerly flow. The climatology and composite temporal evolution of these reversals from Point Conception to the Canadian border are documented using hourly data from moored coastal buoys and Coastal-Marine Automated Network stations for the period 1981–91. The reversals are divided into two categories: coastally trapped reversals, in which the southerly flow is highly ageostrophic and restricted to the coastal zone, and synoptic reversals, which are associated with landfalling troughs or fronts. Coastally trapped events occur on average about 1.5 times per month along the central and northern California coast, about twice a month near the California–Oregon border, and about once a month near the Oregon–Washington border. The ratio of coastally trapped reversals to synoptic reversals is higher during July–September and lower during April–June, particularly in t... Abstract The northerly winds that predominate along the U.S. west coast during April–September are interrupted periodically by abrupt reversals to southerly flow. The climatology and composite temporal evolution of these reversals from Point Conception to the Canadian border are documented using hourly data from moored coastal buoys and Coastal-Marine Automated Network stations for the period 1981–91. The reversals are divided into two categories: coastally trapped reversals, in which the southerly flow is highly ageostrophic and restricted to the coastal zone, and synoptic reversals, which are associated with landfalling troughs or fronts. Coastally trapped events occur on average about 1.5 times per month along the central and northern California coast, about twice a month near the California–Oregon border, and about once a month near the Oregon–Washington border. The ratio of coastally trapped reversals to synoptic reversals is higher during July–September and lower during April–June, particularly in t...

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