The Scilly Isles - Start Point

The Scilly Isles - Start Point

To precisely geolocate this site. Update if necessary.

Localisation

The Scilly Isles - Start Point
LatitudeLongitude
DMS------
DM------
DD------

Characteristics

Coast

Description

The water separating the coast of England from that of France is known in the United Kingdom as the English Channel, and in France as La Manche.

The climate of the English Channel is controlled to a large extent by the series of cyclonic disturbances that usually move toward the E or NE, generally passing N of the British Isles. In such cases, the English Channel is under the influence of a mild and moist SW or WSW jet stream.
At other times, different conditions occur mainly when an anticyclone appears and develops over northern Europe. Winds from E may persist for several days and blow in the channel.
In winter, weather to the E is bitter cold and it is often accompanied by strong winds, but in summer there is usually fine weather. Winds are very variable. The term “predominant wind” is of little significance in this area.
The main features are the westerlies that occur from December to January and from July to August. During both these periods, more than 50 per cent of the winds are from SSW to NNW, often from SW more than NW.
Easterlies are from NE to E and occur most frequently from October to November and from February to June. The frequency is highest in May. Winds from SE are the least frequent.
February and November have the most uniform distribution of winds from all directions.
Winds are characterized as predominantly W over the Scilly Isles, unlike over the English Channel. There is a tendency for wind shifts from W to NW more so than from SW to W in summer, and to a lesser degree in January.
In the approaches to Southampton and the Isle of Wight, winds often blow along The Solent and Spithead. Local variations are usually subordinate to the main stream which may sweep over much of the Isle of Wight. The island has not been observed to provide its own sea breeze.
The main breeze reaches force 3 or 4 on the coast and more over the water, then spreads out over the land. The land breeze blows on clear nights throughout the year and may be more marked in winter than in summer.
At the Bill of Portland, the sea breeze effect results in a strong tendency for winds from N to NE to veer toward E, and those from W to NW to back toward SW between 0700 and 1300. The fluctuation of land and sea breeze at The Bill of Portland is sometimes NE to WSW, the general direction is parallel with the coast. The tendency is very pronounced during the warmer months and it is particularly marked for the N and S directions.
This is a land and sea breeze effect reinforced by the configuration of the river mouth. The effect is substantially repeated in similar topographical situations, in particular at Plymouth.

2012/05/5
Update
Geof
Ebook

Manche - English Channel

  • 240 sites
  • 187 photos
  • publication date: 8 Aug 2024
  • .pdf file size: 240 Mb
Share your comments or photos on "The Scilly Isles - Start Point"

Sites around The Scilly Isles - Start Point

Flying distances - Direct line

Mullion Cove

10nm
The cove is situated on the eastern side of Mount's Bay and on the western coast of the Lizard peninsula. The harbour entrance is open to the south-west but is protected by the natural breakwater of Mullion Island half a mile (0.8 km) offshore. The village of Mullion and ...
8 Oct 15
Atb

Newlyn (Cornwall)

18nm
326°
Newlyn is a popular stopover point for boats en route for the Isles of Scilly or for crossing the English Channel to Brittany. Newlyn harbour is accessible at all states of the tide.
The harbour is contained by a long North Pier with its adjacent fish market and the shorter South ...
1 Feb 12
Atb

Penzance (Cornwall)

18nm
329°
Penzance harbour is a popular Mount's Bay mooring point for visitors' yachts and the berth of the Scillonian ferry which travels between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly.Penzance harbour has a wet dock capable of holding craft drawing ft (4.5m) and a drying harbour. The wet dock gates ...
1 Feb 12
Atb

Falmouth Falmouth Marina

20nm
22°
Falmouth Marina offers berthing for boats up to 20m (2m draft) outside the sill. Inside the sill berthing is available for boats up to 15m (1.5 draft). Annual Berth Holders, monthly visitorsand daily visitors are welcome.Electricity and water is available on the ...
8 Oct 15
dd

Newlyn

18nm
326°
Small port protected by a breakwater.
27 Aug 11

St Mary's (Scilly)

40nm
275°
St Mary's  harbour is privately-owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. The harbour office is located on the Quay and is open from 08.00 - 17.00 daily.Communication with harbour office on VHF Channel 16, working Channel 14. Please contact the Harbour Master for allocation of deep water ...
1 Feb 12
Atb