Oskar Kihlborg/Volvo Ocean Race
Wednesday 7 January, 2009 03:00 GMT
A N'ly flow near 10 kts with a slight chance of showers is expected the next several days. A slight area of low pressure may bring heavier downpours, stronger winds, and cooler temperatures on Friday and Saturday.
TODAY: Expect conditions similar to those experienced yesterday. The risk of showers and gusty squalls remains but it is slight. Skies appear partly sunny and hazy this morning before clouds increase for the afternoon hours. Winds start out very light, near 05 kts, from the N but expect shifty conditions in the light air. A steadier N/NNE wind occurs in the afternoon as the breeze fills to about 10 kts. The thermometer should again climb into the lower 30s C.
THURSDAY: Breaks of sunshine occur tomorrow morning but clouds appear more prevalent throughout the day. The chance of rain showers and squalls is slightly higher so there is a greater risk of gusts into the mid teens with large oscillations in wind direction. Otherwise, the wind appears fairly similar to today with a N/NNE'ly flow building to near 10 kts. Temperatures look a touch cooler with a high in the upper 20s C.
FRIDAY: The risk of showers increases on Friday as a slight area of low pressure tracks westward towards Singapore. Heavy downpours and squalls producing gusts into the upper teens are especially a threat for the afternoon and overnight. Skies appear overcast through the day. The wind backs from the N to the NW and speeds increase into the lower teens as the low approaches. Daytime highs continue to cool as the temperature remains in the low to mid 20's.
SATURDAY: The wind freshens on Saturday for the in-port race. Right now, it appears that winds will reach into the mid to upper teens. The strongest winds and gusty conditions occur in the morning when the chance for heavy rain showers is highest. Overcast skies persist but the rain threat lowers later in the day and winds could fall into the lower teens at that time. Wind direction appears NW'ly much of the time with a slight backing possible during the afternoon. Temperatures remain cooler, in the low/mid 20s C.
SUNDAY: Wind speeds remain moderate, in the low to mid teens, as the flow oscillates between the WSW and WNW. The shower and gusty squall threat remains moderate under mostly cloudy skies. Temperatures could begin to warm a little, into the upper 20s C.