Wind conditionsCape Verde lies within the northeast trade wind belt. The belt of high pressure in the Azores forces air to move towards the belt of low pressure air along the equator creating the prevailing north easterly trade wind that blows over Cape Verde consistently from October to June, but strongest from February to June. However, between November and February the NE trade wind near CV can become interrupted by the Harmattan wind from the Sahara giving more E to ENE Force 3-5. With high pressure over about 1030 hPa, the Harmattan can become strong and because this wind blows off the Sahara it is dust-laden and can reduce visibility creating some very overcast and chilly days, although this is rare. The trade wind slackens in the summer.
In general, the wind needs a forecast of 20/22kts for it to properly kick in at that strength. Windguru is generally pretty accurate. Often the wind drops a few knots around 1pm, but increases again later.
SwellThe great thing about CV is that it offers waves and super-flat conditions to suit all levels of sailor, most of the time.
The
Santa Maria bay, where all of the windsurfing centres on Sal can be
found can be described as flat to choppy to big chop depending on the
swell and wind direction. At the eastern end, it can be super flat near
the shoreline in N to NE winds but if there is too much easterly, it
can get pretty choppy right across the whole bay.
West coast
wave spots like Ponta Preta work best with a NW swell but westerly
swell also works. A minimum of 1.5m is needed (1.5/2m at Ponta Preta).
The swell is generated from Atlantic lows and hurricanes that hit
America. Best time of year for this swell is mid-Jan to March.
Swell
on the east coast is, in general, wind generated but wraps to create
some nice waves at Ponta Leme Velho, Salinas and in the bay of Santa
Maria. However any storm driven swell from the south can also produce
some waves.