Read the currents
Six-minute NOAA predictions are interpolated at one-minute intervals. The largest current magnitude among the three stations defines the route value at each minute.
CROSSING FIELDNOTES / 01
Reading
the Narrows.
Current windows for the crossing from
Gig Harbor to Point Defiance.
NOAA predictions, three route stations, one round trip.
Departure and return times, with the method behind them.
THE CURRENT FIELDIllustrative motion · Not live measurements
Gig Harbor entrance Narrows mid-channel Narrows west side
01 / THE FORECAST
A window on the next ten days.
PACIFIC TIME
Each trip fits within a predicted current band at all three route stations. Times include the return, a stop at Point Defiance, and a reserve allowance.
Loading the forecast…
Reading the latest published predictions.
Departure is the model’s fitted start time. The current band is the longer interval that meets the station-current limit. Wind, waves, and traffic are outside this calculation.
02 / THE METHOD
Three stations.
One continuous window.
Tide height and current speed describe different things. This model uses current predictions to find an interval long enough for the full round trip.
Find the interval
All three stations must remain at or below 1.5 knots. The interval must also fit within the model’s daylight bounds. Gaps in the current samples break the interval.
Place the trip
The 82-minute trip is fitted within that interval using the stored slack-current events. Mid-channel slack is the preferred timing reference when available.
THE TIME BUDGET
82 minutes, accounted for.
2.6 nautical miles at 3 knots, plus a stop and reserve.
TransitStopReserve
03 / SOURCE NOTES
A model you can inspect.
PUG1523
Gig Harbor entrance
11 ft depthPUG1524
Narrows, mid-channel
40 ft depthPUG1526
Narrows, west side
42 ft depthWhat the forecast represents
Predicted currents at these station depths serve as route proxies. They are not surface observations or a reconstruction of the current along every part of the crossing.
What sits outside the model
Wind, waves, visibility, vessel traffic, and individual paddling performance. A published window means the configured current, duration, and daylight criteria are met.
Daylight and publication
Night intervals are excluded. The model allows a seasonal twilight extension from May 20 to August 15. This page shows a published forecast; its generation time and coverage appear above.