Wind speed Iknotjl 



SUMMER 



direclion 3 4-10 1121 22 33 34-47 48* ^ 



Wind speed Iknoli) FALL 



Wind 

 direction 0-3 4-10 11 21 22 33 34 47 48+ % 



CAIM 5.1 % 



CALM 2 5% 



Wind speed Iknolsl WINTER 



Wind 

 direclion 0-3 4-10 11-21 22 33 34-47 48+ % 



Wind speed Iknolsl SPRING 



Wind 

 direclion 0-3 4.10 11 21 22-33 34-47 48« % 



CALM 2.0% 



CALM 27% 



Figure 2-6. Bivariate frequency distribution of wind speed and wind direction offshore of Sabine Pass by season. 

 Percentages of occurrence are given in the margin. 



inland water levels. The response is strongest over 

 lakes, bays, and surrounding marshes and is weakest 

 in or near the uplands in constricted river basins 

 (Wax 1977). If the same weather pattern continues 

 for an extended period, the response weakens as 

 steady-state conditions are approached (Part 3.3). 



The prominence of north-to-northeast and south- 

 to southeast winds coupled with the lack of westerly 

 components cause unequal erosion along the shore- 

 hncs receiving the impact of wind-driven waves. 

 Generally southern shorelines experience the highest 

 rate of erosion, reflecting the strength of the northerly 

 winds. Northern shorelines experience somewhat less 

 erosion, reflecting the high frequency but low intensity 

 of southerly winds. Eastern and western shorelines 

 experience the least amount of erosion (Adams 

 et al. n.d.). 



The Chenier Plain has a warm, humid climate. 

 The seasonal precipitation based on a 30-year average 

 (fig. 2-7) is fairly unifonn, with the months of 

 October, November, and March being somewhat drier 

 than other months; July typically receives the greatest 

 amount of precipitation. Precipitation, ahuost always 

 in the form of rainfall, supplies water for groundwater 

 recharge, soil moisture recharge, and surface water 

 runoff. Runoff differs considerably from the precipi- 

 tation distribution because of the seasonality of 

 solar radiation and temperature (fig. 2-7). Changes 

 in temperature lag behind changes in solar radiation 

 by approximately one month. 



eoo 



500 

 400 

 300 

 200 

 lOoL 



Soter Radiation 



O N 



Figure 2-7. Seasonal fluctuations in solar radiation, 

 air temperature, precipitation, and rain 

 surplus at Lake Charles, from National 

 Weather Service records. 



18 



I 



