WINDS AND CURRENT PATTERNS IN FALSE BAY

Abstract

Wind records from six reporting stations in the vicinity of False Bay have been analysed, and the mean directional frequency and velocity combined to give relative ‘wind run’ for each station and season are shown in the form of wind roses. Methods of current measurements are briefly discussed, and the ‘dye-bomb’ technique using aircraft chosen to obtain a nearly synoptic pattern over a wide area. The results of thirteen such operations at eleven selected stations have indicated that four main patterns have evolved, the predominant type being a clockwise rotation. Fifteen further operations close to the west, north and north-east shores were later carried out and the results are shown in current roses for each station for winter and summer conditions.