Sail-World.com : Weather - Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week
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Weather - Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week |
Thursday 21st August - 2008 Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week. Weather forecast brought to you by North Sails Australia.
Nil Warnings current.
Synoptic Discussion:
Good trade wind flow again yesterday. Lighter wind today in comparison, tending ENE during the afternoon.
A 1030hPa high currently centred over the Tasman Sea is moving slowly east. It extends a weakening ridge over Qld. A vigorous cold front is expected to move over southern tropical waters overnight Friday, as a new large high moves into the Bight and will extend a firm ridge across Queensland over the weekend.
Observations:
At 0600hr surface winds over the Airlie Beach area were out of the SW averaging around 5-7 kn (land breeze) and the temperature was around 13deg. At Hamilton Island the wind was S’ly at 12kn gusting 15kn, (temp 18C, pressure 1022hPa) indicative of the synoptic flow mixed with land breeze component.
Forecast Winds for middle of Pioneer Bay (Read Discussion below)
1000:MD150 DR(180-120) MS08 SR04-15kn could be light and variable?
1200:MD130 DR(160-110) MS12 SR08-17kn could be light and variable?
1400:MD120 DR(150-090) MS12 SR08-17kn
1600:MD110 DR(120-070) MS13 SR08-17kn
1800:MD130 DR(160-100) MS12 SR07-16kn
Note 1: First column is mean wind direction in deg Mag (MD). It is the 10min average (mean) value at a height of 10m above the water leading up to the hour quoted. The second cloumn is the directional range (DR) of the wind direction in deg Mag. This takes into account the natural oscillation of the wind and is a function of the atmospheric stability, etc. The third column is the mean speed (MS) in knots (kn) and is the average 10min value leading up to the hour quoted at a height of 10m above the water. The last column is the wind speed range (SR) in knots and is the lowest wind speed to highest wind speed in the 10min leading up to forecast hour.
Discussion
The wind today is expected to be lighter than the last few days as the ridge of high pressure starts to weaken. As such, the sea breeze influence should have a bearing on the surface during the afternoon. There is a good chance however, that the ridge stays tighter than forecast? This would see the SE’ly hang in (150-120deg) at 12-16kn (average speed).
Wind lighter in lee of any landmass and briefly stronger due to convergence around some headlands.
Natural oscillations today (in settled wind) around 20 to 30 deg away from effects of topography, tending around 30 to 50 deg closer to the effects of any land mass. Showers can produce short period gusty and erratic winds (temporary shifts up to 90deg).
Wind in Whitsunday & Molle Channels should be 2-3 stronger than forecast above and about 10-20deg more right?
Weather
Chance of a shower or two, chiefly this afternoon (see Discussion above). Take plenty of sunscreen and warm clothes.
Maximum land temperature at Airlie Beach: 22-23 degrees. Sea Temperature: about 21 degrees.
Wind Waves: 0.4 to 1.2metres Less in lee of land, more when wind wave opposes tidal current. (Wave heights quoted are Significant wave heights).
Current: Big flood and a moderate ebb today. Be very careful particularly in the Channels.
Remember: Tide floods to the south and ebbs to the north in the Whitsundays.
Tide: Low of 0.68m at 0708hr, High of 2.78m at 1344hr and low of 1.10m at 1921hr.
Outlook
Friday: Variable winds at first tending E/NE at 5/12 knots (ave) during afternoon.
Saturday: SW/SE winds 18/24 knots (ave).
Sunday: SE winds 18/24 knots (ave).
by Kenn Batt
9:29 PM Wed 20 Aug 2008 GMT
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