Weather Archive for Sunday, 3/19/03

Saturday's stronger high pressure relaxed from strong toward typical on Sunday.  The Owens Valley winds backed off and pilots were able launch from Gunter and go both directions.  Max altitudes in the week lift were about 9K.  Dean may have taken the day with an 18 mile flight.

There seemed to be a better lapse rate down lower all weekend.  Perhaps the compression under high pressure resulted in hotter conditions at the lower altitudes.  Didn't seem to have the Santa Anna outflow drain off the desert, but the mid level flow was from the SE.

Ojai heated up despite significant high clouds.  Took awhile to turn on.  Only minimal thermal activity at noon, but by 1 pm it was going off.  SE early on with some convergence over at Nordhoff.  The west tried to push in, and you could get to 8K at Chiefs in the peak of the day.  Mostly a lot of south, but increasing component from the east toward The Bluffs.  Later in the day, the west relaxed and the SE pushed through with tailwind across the pass toward SB.

Thermals in Ojai sharp edged early on, but mellowed later in the day.  Not much onshore flow with almost no wind in Summerland late in the afternoon. (Saturday's onshore flow was more robust)

Gunter Pilots:

Brendan Pegg / tandem with Silvia ~ 12 miles north

Ron Meyer /  ~ 12 mile to White Mountain Ranch / max alt ~ 8,500'
flew 28 miles 3 weeks ago on same range

Dean Stratton / ~ 18 miles north to water ski park / max alt ~ 10,800' near launch

Darren Stanley / Chalfant ~ 6 to 7 miles

Eric Reed / Benton