Summer generally brings us a weather pattern the local Old Salts call a Sou'wester. A semi permanent high pressure area forms off the coast. It is known as the Bermuda high. The nearly continuous clockwise flow hits the Carolinas as a sustained SW wind at 15-20 knots. Since our coast runs west to east at Morehead, it makes the southerly run to the wrecks difficult.
This year it started early and seems to be stronger than normal. When we are able to make it offshore, we generally have great visibility because the wind blows in the warm, clean water from the gulfstream. But often we cannot even get out of the inlet, especially when the SW waves are fighting against a strong falling tide, almost making the waves stand up in one spot. The Old Salts call these "Standing Men". Luckily this pattern usually breaks around the first week of August.
When we do get out the diving is generally excellent. The trick is to plan to dive multiple days, because unfortunately the odds are you will spend as many days ashore as offshore. It is part of what makes NC diving so challenging and rewarding.
This year it started early and seems to be stronger than normal. When we are able to make it offshore, we generally have great visibility because the wind blows in the warm, clean water from the gulfstream. But often we cannot even get out of the inlet, especially when the SW waves are fighting against a strong falling tide, almost making the waves stand up in one spot. The Old Salts call these "Standing Men". Luckily this pattern usually breaks around the first week of August.
When we do get out the diving is generally excellent. The trick is to plan to dive multiple days, because unfortunately the odds are you will spend as many days ashore as offshore. It is part of what makes NC diving so challenging and rewarding.
