Forecast (0 UTC 6 February)
Current Conditions: Satellite shows that winds are currently around 7 knots from the NNE, and maybe a few mid-level clouds. Pressure is holding near 1015 mb. Currents in your current location look to be less than 1 knot.
Short-term Forecast: As you leave the Cape Verde islands behind, trade winds should increase to near 10 knots, and greater the further west you row. Any shadowing of winds from the islands will be gone soon. Skies should be fairly clear for the next 24 hours, so break out that sunscreen if you haven’t already. The current story hasn’t changed (sorry, bad pun): there is an eddy to the west of the Cape Verde Islands — in its core there could be spots of 4 knots going westward, looks like a nice ride to me. Given your projected pace, I would guess that you would start hitting some stronger currents (>1.5 knots) sometime Wednesday afternoon or early evening. I’d project that you’d hit the even stronger currents (2-3+knots) sometime late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning.
Longer-term Forecast: As previously noted by Dixon, the Azores high will remain off the coast of Europe for several days (throughout the entire foreseeable forecast period) and will dictate the large scale pattern. Starting Saturday, a low pressure center will form off the coast of New England and will deepen. The Azores high will also strengthen. Together, this will lead to an increase in winds throughout the Atlantic. From mid-Thursday to mid-Friday, winds should be 10 knots or less in your area, and skies should stay cloud free for a while. Winds may start increasing above 15 knots sometime late Saturday. Waves will likely stay in the 1-1.5m range through Friday. As winds increase on Saturday, waves will also increase up to 2-3m.
Next 12 hours (0000-1200 UTC 6 February)
Winds: 7 knots from NNE
Waves: 1-1.5 m
Currents: 0.5-1 knot from the NE
12-18 hours (1200-1800 UTC 6 February)
Winds: 10-12 knots from NE
Waves: 1-1.5 m
Currents: 1 knot increasing, from the NE
18-24 hours (1800 UTC 6 February – 0000 UTC 7 February)
Winds: 11-15 knots from NE
Waves: 1-1.5 m
Currents: 2-3+ knots, from the E
Forecaster Maroon
One reply on “Here comes the eddy”
First, thanks to all our forecasters. You are doing a great job and I can assure you that not only the crew, but many others are following these postings judiciously. Blue Water! I hope the wind,waves and currents start to work for all on the JRH. From the look of the knees on the homepage (not sure whose – Adam? Jordan? Markus? Patrick?), you sure could use a break from the little league bats. I have a whole school that is following you closely and hanging on each communication posted to the website. Cheers.