Volvo Ocean Race

Leg 6, Day 11

Sailing Weather Forecast
Leg 6 Itajaí to Miami

Issued 0300Z 02-MAY-2012

Synopsis:

E'ly and ESE'ly flow continues to dominate the forecast area north of 05N and west of 45W at 02/00Z with little change expected over the next 24-hours. Numerous areas of scattered convective activity evolve along the ITCZ from around 02N to around 08N west of 45W, especially over northern South America. Over the next 24-hours, small cells will continue to develop over forecast areas through the Lesser Antilles.

North of the Greater Antilles, ENE'ly flow will continue to build through the forecast period as high pressure strengthens over the northwest Atlantic north of 30N, south and southwest of Bermuda. A ridge will extend west of this high over the Bahamas and Gulf of Mexico. This building high pressure is expected to firm the ENE trade wind flow across the area north of the Caribbean.

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FORECAST ALONG RACE ROUTE

WEDNESDAY (02-MAY-2012)

BETWEEN 03N to 05N and 50W/40W
WIND: ENE 15-20 knots.
SEA: 2-3 m
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with scattered showers likely.

BETWEEN 05N/10N and 55W/45W
WIND: ESE 10-15 knots backing and building to ENE 15-20 knots by mid-period then building to ENE 20-25 knots later.
SEA: 2-3 m
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with scattered showers likely; chance of scattered convection with squalls in the west late.

BETWEEN 10N/15N and 60W/50W
WIND: ENE 20-25 knots veering and easing to ESE 15-20 knots
SEA: 2-3 m
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with scattered showers likely, especially in the west.

BETWEEN 10N/15N and 65W/60W
WIND: ESE 15-20 knots
SEA: 2-3 m
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with scattered showers.

THURSDAY (03-MAY-2012)

BETWEEN 05N/10N and 55W/45W
WIND: ENE/E 20-25 knots.
SEA: 2-3 m
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with scattered showers and chance of convection with squalls in south late.

BETWEEN 10N/15N and 60W/50W
WIND: ESE 15-20 knots easing late to ESE 10-15 knots
SEA: 2-3 m
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with scattered showers likely, especially in the west.

BETWEEN 10N/15N and 65W/60W
WIND: ESE 15-20 knots
SEA: 2-3 m
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with showers likely.

BETWEEN 15N/20N and 65W/60W
WIND: ESE 15-20 knots
SEA: 2-3 m
WEATHER: Mix of clouds and sun with scattered showers near islands.

BETWEEN 15N/20N and 70W/65W
WIND: ENE 15-20 knots backing and easing to E/ESE 10-15 knots.
SEA: 1-2 m
WEATHER: Mix of clouds and sun with increased clouds and chance of showers in northeast and near islands.

OUTLOOK FOR FRIDAY (04-MAY-2012)
SE'ly builds over the Lesser Antilles that will back to more NE'ly north of 20N. A high strengthens north of the Gulf of Mexico and the Bahamas that will bring moderate NE'ly flow over race waters north of the Greater Antilles.

Forecast Supplied by Sailing Weather Services