Rolex Sydney Hobart - Early Thunderstorms but a moderating forecast

by Sail-World.com on 26 Dec 2010 Pre-frontal thunderstorm showers this morning, as activity increases dockside at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, ahead of the 66th annual Sydney to Hobart Race.

The dockside coffee vendors are doing a roaring trade and the big breakfasts are starting to roll out, but the rain has sailors and media alike sheltering under the umbrellas on the CYCA deck.

The 628 nautical mile race is still expected to start in 10-15 knot northerly winds for the first five to six hours, the angle from north west to north east will depend on the amount of heating there is after this morning’s prefrontal rain and possible heavy thunderstorms.

Earlier in the week the forecast was for 30-40 knot winds but the weather models and suggesting moderating conditions. Then southerly winds, will follow for the next 30-36 hours, tonight in the 20-30 knot range, stronger offshore, peaking over north eastern Bass Strait early on Monday afternoon around 30-35 knots with waves and swell of 4-5 metres.

The southerly winds are expected to ease over Monday night, with a transition from south west to west and then building northerly in mid Bass Strait on Tuesday afternoon.