Seasonal· Northern Sea of Cortez· Mexico

Winter Northers (Northern Gulf)

28° 0.0′ N · 112° 0.0′ W · approximate

From late fall into spring, northers funnel down the length of the Gulf for days at a time — 25-30+ knots and steep, short seas — and dictate every anchorage choice.

Practical

Coordinate is the Gulf of California reference point (Wikipedia). Best norther shelter in this subregion: Santispac, Punta Chivato (under the old hotel), Punta Púlpito NW corner, San Francisquito NW corner or inner cove, Puerto Don Juan, Algodones/La Posada in San Carlos. Reported events: three days of 30+ kn northerlies at Punta Púlpito (Nov 2024); five days of strong wind at Punta Chivato (Jan 2024); northerlies persisting into mid-June (2011). Plan the Santa Rosalía–San Carlos crossing and midriff passages for the lulls between fronts.

Best for

Picking anchorages and crossing windows in winter

Season

Roughly Nov–Apr

Nearby