Forecast (0000 UTC 5 February)
Current Conditions: Pressure has held steady around 1015mb and clouds associated with a mid-level low are clearing out. Winds are out of the NE and back up to 15kts after dropping down to about 7kts when the boat was shadowed by one of the islands of Cape Verde. Temperatures on the boat have been cooler than usual, which may be due to some mid-level clouds.
Short-term Forecast: Temperatures will be slightly warmer and clouds will completely clear if they haven’t already as a mid-level low dies out. Winds will decrease drastically as the boat moves to the southwest side of the western-most island of Cape Verde. This island will shadow the boat from the northeasterly winds. Currents and winds will remain weak over the 24 hours.
Longer-term Forecast: The Azores high will hold firmly in place off the coast of the Iberian Peninsula and maintain its strength for the next several days. Cloud-free skies can be expected to continue as the mid-level low dies out. Winds will pick back up to 12-15kts out of the ENE as the boat clears the western-most island of Cape Verde. Waves may increase up to 1.5-2m past 24 hours. Stronger currents in a few days are of particular interest. Between 60-72 hours, the boat will likely encounter strong currents out of the ENE, increasing up to 2.5kts over that time. Higher current speeds are possible beyond that time frame.
Next 12 hours (0000-1200 UTC 5 February)
Winds: 12-15kts out of the ENE, decreasing sharply to 5-8kts, becoming NE
Waves: 1-1.5m out of the N
Currents: 0-0.5kts
12-18 hours (1200-1800 UTC 5 February)
Winds: 3-6kts out of the NE
Waves: 1-1.5m out of the N
Currents: 0-0.5kts
18-24 hours (1800 UTC 5 February – 0000 UTC 6 February)
Winds: 3-6kts out of the NE, becoming NNE
Waves: 1-1.5m out of the N
Currents: 0-0.5kts
Forecaster Dixon