This is probably one of the most frequently asked questions in windsurfing. Although the wind may be out of our control, we can at least give you a rough idea of how to predict when it should be here.
TRADE WINDS
The NE trade winds blow throughout the year, although they tend to move up & down the Atlantic. In summer, which is our windy period, the trades can start to blow as early as March and as late as May. Contrary to popular belief the trade winds are not strong winds; only about 3 Bft. on the open sea.
WIND ACCELERATION
However around Fuerteventura we have acceleration zones where the wind is either funnelled between mountains, or islands and where the wind can sometimes increase to as much as 8 - 9 Bft.
The Windsurfing center in Corralejo is lucky enough to be situated in one of these wind acceleration zones. The most commonly used sail being 5.0 - 5.3m2. The trades can blow right the way through to the middle of September when they tend to move further south, hence the reason why the Cape Verdes are best in winter. (Dec/Jan/Feb)
SUMMER
The summer winds are controlled by having High pressure sitting over the Azores (Azores High) and a Low over the Sahara (Sahara Low). The Low is formed by hot air rising and this pulls in the relatively cold air from the High pressure. The High pressure can be very stable and it is not uncommon for it to extend right across the Atlantic from Portugal to Florida.
WINTER
In winter the whole picture changes. We now have small Low pressure systems coming out off the North American High (cold stable air), on to the coast off N. Foundland these come down to about 35°N and travel eastwards accross the Atlantic, all the time getting deeper + stronger. They bring the bad weather to Europe and the British Isles, and it is from these Low pressure systems that we have our waves in the winter. Occasionally one ventures further south than usual and clips the islands, giving us insane windsurfing conditions as well as creating havoc in most of the harbours in the Canaries. The wind tends to be 7- 8 sometimes 9 Bft. and blows from a south - southwest direction. It lasts 2 - 4 days and gives us the chance to windsurf locations which normally only a handfull of time during the winter period.
SIROCCO
One other wind phenomenon which deserves a mention is the Sirocco. This is a hot dry wind straight off the Sahara desert some 65miles away. This is either onshore or cross -onshore from the right. It can be strong or light and normally lasts anything from 2 - 10 days.
As you can see, winter wind is very unpredictable and we only have an avg. of 2 - 3 days/wk of wind. Waves, however, are far more common so if you're coming over to Fuerteventura in winter why not book yourself onto one of our Windsurfing/Surfing multi-adventure holidays. That way you will always be in the water either windsurfing or surfing.
wind Forecast & stats for Corralejo, Fuerteventura
