Volvo Ocean Race

Leg 6, Day 9

Sailing Weather Forecast
Leg 6 Itajaí to Miami

Issued 0300Z 30-APR-2012

Synopsis:

Active doldrums between 40 and 47W with a southern boundary near 01N. A tropical wave is apparent along about 40W with enhanced thunderstorms at both this southern boundary, and the northern boundary near 05N. South of the doldrums, SE/ESE trade winds a moderate to fresh, but have been showing a tendency to ease most recently. North of the doldrums, ENE/NE trades build fresh north of 05N and are expected to enhance from east to west as the tropical wave moves west to the vicinity of 43W by 00Z/01.

With the doldrums between 01N and 04N between 37W and 45W, winds are lighter with a few isolated patches of calm. Winds generally back ESE to ENE from south to north. In the doldrums, scattered to moderate shower coverage is noted. The northern Doldrums boundary is more active with thunderstorms.

Tomorrow, the position of the doldrums is relatively unchanged. There may be a slight southward drift toward 03N of the northern boundary. Trade winds north of the doldrums are expected to accelerate from the ENE in the zone between 40W and 55W, north to 15N. Weather within the trades will be typical, with scattered to broken trade wind cloud cover and scattered showers. Squall activity is expected to be minimal.

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FORECAST ALONG RACE ROUTE

MONDAY (30-APR-2012)

BETWEEN 05S to Equator and 37W/42W
WIND: South of 01S, SE/ESE 20-25, except 15-20 west of 40W. north of 01S, easing with distance north and tending ESE 10-20.
SEA: 1-2m
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms near the Brazil coast. Trade wind showers possible elsewhere.

BETWEEN Equator to 05N and 35W/40W
WIND: Equator to 01N, ESE 10-15, easing. 01N-04N E 5-15, patchy at times. North of 04N, becoming ENE 10-15 increasing to 20-25 near 05N.
SEA: 1-2m, except 2-3m north of 04N.
WEATHER: Frequent showers, especially between 01N and 04N. Squalls likely 03N to 04N Trade wind showers north of 04N.

BETWEEN Equator to 05N and 40W/45W
WIND: ESE 10-15 between the equator and 01N. Between 01N and 04N, backing ESE to ENE 5-10. North of 04N, becoming ENE 15-20.
SEA: 1-2m
WEATHER: Cloudy with showers and squalls possible. Squalls likely 03N to 04n.

BETWEEN 05N/10N and 40W/45W
WIND: ENE/NE 20-25.
SEA: 2-3m
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with scattered trade wind showers.

BETWEEN 05N/10N and 45W/50W
WIND: ENE/NE 20-25.
SEA: 2-3m
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with scattered trade wind showers.

TUESDAY (01-MAY-2012)

BETWEEN 05N/10N and 40W/45W
WIND: ENE 20-25.
SEA: 2-3m
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with scattered trade wind showers.

BETWEEN 05N/10N and 45W/50W
WIND: ENE/NE 20-25, easing to 15-20 west of 48W.
SEA: 2-3m
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with scattered trade wind showers.

BETWEEN 10N/15N and 45W/50W
WIND: South of 13N, ENE 20-25. North of 15N, easing 15-20, gusting 25.
SEA: 2-3m
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with scattered trade wind showers.

BETWEEN 05N/10N and 50W/55W
WIND: E/ENE 20-25, easing to 15-20 west of 47W.
SEA: 2-3m
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with scattered trade wind showers. More active weather is possible close to the coast of French Guiana.

BETWEEN 10N/15N and 50W/55W
WIND: Mainly E 15-20.
SEA: 2-3m
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with scattered trade wind showers.OUTLOOK FOR WEDNESDAY (02-MAY-2012)

OUTLOOK FOR WEDNESDAY (02-MAY-2012)
Moderate E/ENE trade winds hold across the area south of 18N and east of 60W. An accelerating trend may spread from east to west across 50W toward 55W. No significant tropical waves are presently forecast in the trade wind region between 45W and 60W.

Forecast supplied by Sailing Weather Services