STORM IN THE GULF OF THE FARALLONES: A SAILING DISASTER (10-11 APRIL 1982)

This paper investigates the development of the 10-11 April 1982 storm and its effect on sailing craft in the Gulf of the Farallones, the ocean approach to San Francisco. The storm was one of the area's most severe April storms known to date. New April wind speed records were set at San Fran-cisco Airport on 10 April. The storm caused one of the worst small craft sailing disasters ever to occur in the area. This was in part due to over 100 small craft involved in a race to the Southeast Farallon Island. Six lives and seven sailing vessels were lost. Seventeen people and seven sailing vessels were rescued, mostly by the U.S. Coast Guard. The storm's severe impact was due to the suddenness and severity of its onset, the exceptional impact of wind, weather, waves and current in combination and the storm's duration. Its effect would have been more devastating had it not been for the rescue effort, the National Weather Service warnings that went out on the VHF marine radio channel and numerous cases of outstanding personal survival efforts. SUlface and upper air synoptic patterns are discussed. Hourly profiles of wave, wind, and rain data are given. The problems in forecasting the storm are described and the usefulness of enhanced infrared satellite imagery in analyz-ing and forecasting the storm is emphasized. Comments relative to the forecasting of serious weather events and a summary of the incidents involving the loss and rescue of people and vessels are presented. 1