North East West passage: Forecast 25 Aug - day 43
Posted in North Passage 2010 | By Marc |
This is the expected synoptic situation for tonight 00utc. This is a quite remarkable situation as it shows the quite sudden wind shift on the passage of the frontal system. At that moment the Northern passage (red dot) is still ahead of the switch, but a few hours later the wind will have turned to the Westerly corner. Click on the image to see the full display.
Weather Forecast North East West passage -25 Aug- day 43
General situation
Finally the center of the Laptev depression is moving Eastwards and will enter and cross the East Siberian Sea along the 79-80°Lat. In a first stage (today), the wind blows strongly from the S to SE’ly sector, close to ‘near gale’ force (8). As the front comes across (tonight sometimes between 01-04utc) the wind will pretty quickly veer to the NW’ly sector.
Because of the center of the depression, the wind over the Southern parts of the East Siberian sea remains blowing favourably from the WSW to WNW’ly sector. Interesting to note is that close to the Russian coast the wind becomes very weak. So if you want to take advantge of the moderate SW to W’ly wind it is best to sail East (towards the Medvetz Islands) between 71.5 and 72°N.
(All forecasted winds are average values).
Day 1: 25 Aug
Expected track: from 72.6/148.5 to 71.8/154
Weather: becoming very cloudy to overcast, followed by periods of sleet or snow..
Wind: 150-170°20-25kt temporarily increasing to 23-28kt, after 21utc becoming 170-190°18-22kt, after 24/02utc veering to 300-320°.
Day 2: 26 Aug
Expected track: 71.8/154 to 71.5/162
Weather: very cloudy to overcast with snow or sleet, after 15utc sunny spells develop.
Wind: 310-330°14-20kt after 12utc becoming 280-300°8-13kt average. After 21/24utc becoming 240-260°10-15kt
Day 3: 27 Aug
Expected track: 71.5/162 to 71.5/170
Weather: sunny spells-scattered clouds, mainly dry.
Wind: 230-250°12-18kt, after 12/15utc becoming 270-290°8-13kt. After 21utc 250-270°8-13kt