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Sailing Conditions in Malletts Bay. Back to Sailing Conditions Many folks are wondering what the weather is going to be like in Vermont in September. Depending on the weather systems, we could see air temperatures from anywhere between 40 and 75 degrees. Most likely though, the air temperature will be a comfortable 60-65 degrees. The water temperature on Lake Champlain in September will be about 65 degrees. There are two sailing areas in Malletts Bay. The primary sailing area is the "Outer Bay". The secondary racing area is the "Inner Bay". The Outer Bay is a nearly circular bay 4 1/2 miles wide, that is almost completely separated from Lake Champlain by an auto causeway to the north, and a railroad fill to the west. With an average water depth of 70 feet, this configuration provides an excellent body of water for racing with "wind appropriate" wave heights and minimal powerboat traffic. The Inner Bay is also a circular bay, but is only a little over 1.3 miles across. There is a large peninsula "Coates Island" that extends into the bay and can effect the wind on that part of the bay. The "Inner Bay" course area will feature very flat water, and shifty sailing conditions The wind speed for September on Lake Champlain averages about 8 knots. Winds generally blow from the south-southwest 32% of the time. The next most frequent wind direction is North-Northwest at 26% of the time. Northerly winds are a distant third, with Easterly winds almost never occurring. Historically we see winds greater than Beaufort Force 4 (11-15 knots) about 28% of the time in September. As usual anything can happen when you host a regatta. We have sailed two straight days in an easterly wind. In the Outer Bay, the "typical" day will have us sailing in a southerly 10 to 20 knot breeze. Expect the breeze to build during the day and die back down late in the day. The breeze will be fairly steady with small 5-15 degree shifts, but be prepared for the occasional larger, more permanent shift. In the Inner Bay, the southerly will be very puffy and shifty, but the sailing will be fun and fair. You'll need to pay close attention to the shifts. Shifty, puffy Northwest winds accompany cold fronts which typically last for three days. Day one will be strong winds most of the day, but getting lighter late in the day. Day two will start out moderately, but will be very light by mid afternoon, and there will be no sailing or possibly a light afternoon southerly wind on day three. West winds are usually very unstable and occur very infrequently, but when they do anything can happen. Hopefully, we will not see winds out of the east. There is no thermal or sea breeze, and the sailing conditions will be dependant upon the local weather systems. Overall you should expect a variety of conditions for the regatta |
