This map shows the  synoptic situation of tomorrow 8 June: a strong high pressure cell with the center in Central Greenland. This is a favourable situation for Alberto, Juan and Mikel because they will get a South Easterly wind that will allow them to make good progress!! Click on the map to see the full display.

Kite Greenland 2011 -Alberto Inurrategi- 07 June-day 27

General Situation
Favourable influence of high pressure becomes predominant: good conditions prevail for today and the next few days.

Day 1 - 07June
start position: 74/-47.2
Wind: 150-170/3-5ms, after 15/18utc becoming 150-170/4-7ms.
Weather: sunny spells with still quite a lot high clouds but in general good conditions.
Temperatures min:-12C max:-6C

Day 2 - 08June
Estimated start position: 74.8/-48
Wind: 150-170/6-8ms, after 12/15utc becoming 160-180/5-8ms.
Weather:sunny spells with patchy high clouds.
Temperatures min: -14C max: -8C

Day 3 -09June
Estimated start position: 75.8/-50.5
Wind:  150-170/5-7ms gradually becoming 120-140/7-9ms
Weather: sunny and clear-in general good conditions
Temperatures min: -12C max:-6C

Alberto, Juan and Mikel, three very experienced Bask mountaineers, are doing their first big kite trip. They cross the Greenlandic ice cap from Narsaq to Qaanaaq, on the western side of Greenland. Their present position is 65.65/-46.35

Kite Greenland 2011 -Weather Forecast -Alberto Inurrategi- 25 May-day 15
Most likely today and tomorrow will be too windy to travel, details see below.
The wind is likely to ease tomorrow after 15utc. but still a lot of cloud remain. So if visibility allows you could do dome travel late tomorrow.
I had contact with ronnie. He said it does not matter really at wat elevation you  travel but he agreed that a bit lower you would have more chance to catch the better katabatic winds. Anyway i would advice to travel between 47 and 47.5 west.

 
Day 1 - 25May
start position: 65.65/-46.35
Wind: 140-160/6-8ms gusts up to 12ms,after 15utc becoming 190-210/4-6ms
Weather: sunny spells with scattered to broken cloudiness.
Temperatures min:-20C max:-12C

Day 2 - 26May
Estimated start position: 64.2/-47.5
Wind: 130-150/10-12ms, after 15/18utc becoming 120-140/13-15ms gusts up to 18-20ms!!!
Weather: very cloudy to overcast with after 12/15utc periods of snow, later blowing snow-poor conditions: visibility surface contrast,etc…
Temperatures min: -15C max: -10C

Day 3 -27May
Estimated start position: 64.8/-48
Wind:  140-160/10-12ms after 12/15utc becoming 240-260/5-7ms, further decreasing
Weather:very cloudy to overcast with still snow and blowing snow,grdually improving as wind decreases.
Temperatures min: -10C max: -6C

This is a satellite image from the polar orbiting satellite Noaa-19. It is a Channel 3 image which means its wavelenght is in between the Infrared channel (thermal) and the visibile channel. It combines the two channels in a way that open water or water containing cloud appear darker. Very cold surface and cloud (ice cloud) do appear bright. On the ice cap near Disko Bay, where Heidi and Robert are, the ice cap looks a bit darker which probably points to the presence of fog or low clouds. Click on the image to see the full display. (c) sat shot from Canadian Met Office.

Wind and Ice-From Ilullisat to Qaanaaq - Forecast
winds are average values
Date: 19 April 2011
 
Day 1: 19 April From 70.5/-48.25 To 70.8/-48
Wind: 120-140/8-12kt, after 12utc becoming weak/calm
Weather: low stuff: fog/clouds possibly a few weak sunny spells, clearing after 21/24utc.
Temps: becoming extremely cold next night!!! day: -28/-32C nxt night possibly down to -45C!!!
Advice: early start will give a few hours of kiteable weather.

Day 2: 20 April From 70.8/-48 To 71.1/-48
Wind: at 9utc: 070-090/8-12kt, after 15utc becoming weak to calm. After 21utc picking up to 12-18kt after 00utc.
Weather: sunny, extremely cold morning
Temps: night:-45C/day: -30C
Advice: from kite perspective an early start would be adviceable but consider the low temperatures to stay in sleeping bag.

Day 3: 21 From 71.1/-48 To 72.2/48
Wind: 100-120/14-18kt, no significant change
Weather: sunny and clear
Temps: night:-40C day:-30C
Advice: wind wise: kiting!!! but be careful with low temperatures.

Day 4: 22 April From 72.2/48 To 72.8/48
Wind: 100-120/13-18kt after 15utc becoming weak to calm
Weather: sunny with high clouds, thickening
Temps: night: -40C/-30C
Advice: an early start but again low temperatures to consider. After 15/18utc becoming weak to calm.

Today’s Infrared image of Greenland: shows well the clear conditions of the West coast of Greenland. Also the sea ice on the Baffin sea is quite impressive. Click on the image to see the full size. (c) Canadian Met Office.

Wind and Ice-From Ilullisat to Qaanaaq - Forecast
Date: 18 April 2011
 
Day 1: 18 April From 70.00/-48.65 To 70.5/-48.2
Wind: 130-150/10-15kt, no significant change
Weather: sunny with high clouds.
Temps: Night:-30/-32C day: -24/-26C
Advice: cover as much distance as possible today-make it an as long as possible day (because nxt days don’t look good)

Day 2: 19 April From 70.5/-48.2 To 70.7/-48
Wind: 130-150/5-10kt, becoming weak to calm after 15/18utc
Weather: sunny spells, high, thickening cloud.
Temps: night:-28C/day: -24C
Advice: after 15/18utc wind drops away:if possible start as early as possible.

Day 3: 20 From 70.7/-48 To nil
Wind: weak/calm from variable directions
Weather: thick high clouds, tempo overcast.
Temps: night:-40C day:-30C
Advice: rest day?!

Day 4: 21 April From 70.7/-48 To …
Wind: 110-130/8-12kt after 18utc becoming 110-130/12-16kt
Weather: rather thik cloud cover with weak sunny spells.
Temps: night: -40C/-30C
Advice: kiteable the whole day-better towards the end of the day.