Chip,

Paddling during September and October in Puget Sound offers some of the calmest wind conditions and nicest paddling of the year, as long as there is not a significant weather front pushing through. The later you wait, the less frequent those good days occur. You have to do your research though. The San Juans offer some really easy paddling and some that can be truly treacherous. It's very location specific. For example, Rosario Strait has a nasty reputation, but the rips occur only in specific locations and under certain conditions. To cover any significan distance in the San Juans you must know what the currents are going to do along your route and where the rips occur. Also, before I go out I always evaluate the forecast at the link below. I have found it to provide good information that I can trust as much as one can trust any forecast. And yes, mornings are almost alway calmer.

Another thing to consider is wind direction. For most of Puget Sound, building winds out of the SW usually means bad weather is coming. N winds indicate high pressure, low precip and sunshine. Just because it's windy in one spot does not mean it's windy everywhere. If you have your car with you in the San Juans, you have the luxury of driving to the lee side of the island for some protected day paddling. If it's forecast to be windy but the conditions are calm, listen to current wind conditions on one of the weather channels. It can indicate that the wind is not happening or is on its way and not far away.

If you post your paddle destinations, maybe those who have paddled in those places can help more specifically.

Hope this helps,
Ted Henry

: This question probaby belongs on the Techniques Board... The wind kicks-up
: pretty bad in the Puget Sound this time of year; I'm told it's the
: convection resulting from temperature differences between land and water.
: Temps on land can get into the 80s some days. The water temps are cold
: (50deg?) depending on water depth, circulation, etc.

: What does everyone else do, paddle in the eary morning? I'm not out on salt
: water that often. I'm putting together a relatively easy overnighter to
: the San Juan Islands this October. Can I count on a lesser convection
: effect off season or on overcast days or should I just plan to do the bulk
: of the paddling at dawn/dusk?

: Thanks,
: Chip