Prevailing winds

[SouthernExposure]

Gerbils,

What compass direction do the playa winds generally blow?

Thinks.

SE

[Irreverent Moniker]

I believe SW but I could be wrong

[Asherbeez]

I believe SW but I could be wrong

I second that belief and will add that they are perfectly capable flipping and coming from the NE

[HandJamMasterC]

Yes, in the last 3 years I've gone, the strongest winds and prevailing winds are from the SW, but they can switch and come from the NE as mentioned.

[ygmir]

perhaps........but, don't bet on any wind direction, in a dust storm.
They are very changeable, especially when kicking up.

[motskyroonmatick]

The airport runway on the map is aligned to the prevailing wind direction but the wind does and will come at you from all angles.

[Trishntek]

I still contend the wind sucks mostly toward the NNE with the occasional major vacuum directly vertical.

[Mr. Flintstone]

I have a tent that goes up in the back of my ford ranger. In 2010 I made a 12 x 30 monkey hut with the openings facing NNE & SSW then drove my truck it through facing SSW and laced the end around the cab. I also had the passenger side door rigged open to allow access to the cab and push the sides out while keeping the SSW end closed. I was completely dust free even in the biggest storms. Well until the wind did a 180 and turned my monkey hut in to a giant dust funnel that ended in the cab of my truck.

[some seeing eye]

Prevailing wind does come from the SW. The runway is somewhat perpendicular to that, but is oriented to the trash fence.

[Bob]

BRC Airport website: http://www.portofentry.org/
Click on "Airport Charts 2010" for a link to a PDF showing the city layout and runway alignment. The centerline of BRC is aligned SW-NE by tradition, and to fit the available space in that section of the playa. Note that one side of the pentagon (ie the trash fence boundary) is aligned approximately ENE, parallel with the existing road along the east side of the playa, as is the airport runway.

For all practical purposes, figure the stronger, more dusty prevailing afternoon winds come from the SW, lighter and colder early morning winds come from the NE, and storm winds may vary wildly.

[portaplaya]

This image displays the two Burning Man locations. We do not yet know is BM 2011 is at same place as 2006-2008 or same as 2009-2010. Orientations are slightly different (North on 2006 is 4:00/10:00 road; North on 2010 is 4:30 road).

Main prevailing wind and the occasional crosswinds (some evenings and typically weak). Very strong storms generally follow prevailing wind, but on rare occasion come from the crosswind direction.

[intothefourth]

how well does a car (e.g. an Impala) block said prevailing winds for a small tent?

[Bob]

how well does a car (e.g. an Impala) block said prevailing winds for a small tent?

What year Impala?

Also helps to set guylines from all the provided mid-height tie points on the tent. If none, improvise some with spring clamps (eg 1" Jorgensen clamps). I've also run ropes from the rack on my car over the top of a couple of tents pitched downwind to help secure them.

[Ugly Dougly]

What year Impala?

*Spews coffee thru nose.*

Ok, the mess is cleaned up. Yes, it's good practice to park your vehicles upwind. Can't hurt. In this case, the less aerodynamic teh better.

[Bob]

If it's been chopped & lowered, hope it has hydraulics in working order.

[Bob]

Here you go, homie: