Oskar Kihlborg/Volvo Ocean Race
Wednesday 14 January, 2009 03:00 GMT
Little change is expected in the weather this week, with continued overcast and wind speeds generally staying in the low teens. If anything, you can expect a decreasing trend in the wind speeds with some backing expected for the end of the week.
TODAY: There may be some breaks of sun in the morning, but look for mostly overcast conditions through the afternoon. Most of the rain showers will stay to the east, but some evening squalls could develop in the course area. Otherwise, look for the wind speeds to peak before noon with some strong NNE'ly gusts mixing down to the surface. The strongest gusts could reach 20 knots, but the overall winds will stay in the mid teens. Through the afternoon look for a slight backing trend with decreasing wind speeds. The more of a left shift there is, the more the winds will decrease. With little or no left shift, look for the winds to stay in the mid teens all day. Temperatures will stay near 30C.
THURSDAY: Overcast conditions will linger into Thursday, but there is still a limited chance of showers. Look for the morning winds to veer right building out of the N. The winds will build slightly less than Wednesday and by the end of the day look for a backing trend with some clearing. Look for the winds to be NNW to NNE all day and stay between 09 and 14 knots - decreasing as they back left. With lingering overcast, look for a slight cooling trend, with the day time high staying just shy of 30C.
FRIDAY: The backing trend will continue on Friday, with NW'ly to N'ly winds staying around 10 knots all day. The more sun there is, the more the afternoon winds will back and the more of a midday lull there will be. Any afternoon squalls that develop will have a big influence on the winds.
SATURDAY: The winds will stay out of the NW to N all day. Look for the strongest winds in the morning, backing left and decreasing all day. Like Friday, the more sun there is, the more the winds will back to NW'ly through the afternoon. Overall the wind speeds will range from 8 to 14 knots, and the temperatures will be just shy of 30C.
SUNDAY: It is still early to say, but the conditions for the start should not be very different from what you have seen all week. The winds will be in the low teens, likely dropping to a midday lull. There is a limited chance of showers, and the more sun there is that day, the more the winds are likely to back left through the afternoon. As a result, you can expect an offshore flow with large oscillations in the wind direction.