MÉTÉO CONSULT weather bulletin for Tuesday, April 22

General situation

This Tuesday, the Azores High at 1028 hPa extends along a ridge south of the Bay of Biscay, passing through Galicia in Spain, with light wind conditions. A weak to moderate southwesterly wind pattern is observed along the northern edge of the ridge.

Wednesday, moderate and slightly disturbed westerly flow over the southern Bay of Biscay. A 1027 hPa high pressure system is centered midway between the Azores and Portugal, with a ridge of high pressure toward La Coruña, and a moderate northerly flow south of the ridge along the Portuguese coast.

Thursday, a strong north-northeast regime along the edge of the Azores high, from the coast of Portugal towards Madeira and the Canaries.

Weather conditions at sea for the Transat Paprec

As expected, the 19 mixed duo crews saw the wind significantly weaken during the night from Monday to Tuesday under the effect of a ridge of high pressure installed between Galicia and the southern Bay of Biscay. A weather situation that put the sailors' nerves to the test with this wind, which was too light and irregular in direction. Ahead of a vast low pressure system over the open Atlantic, the wind was taking a southwesterly direction at daybreak, requiring tacks and sail adjustments, as the wind was in line with the direct route to the Canaries.

Tuesday, April 22 :

On Tuesday morning, the southwest wind will gradually become a little more consistent, reaching 6 to 8 knots, on the northwest edge of the ridge of high pressure that will be installed over Galicia. With this southwest wind direction, they will sail close-hauled with a southerly heading to aim for a passage between the DST Finisterre and Galicia. Note that the sailors who will be the furthest out to the west will have a little more wind than the others, but they will have a little further to go, so the game will not necessarily be worth the candle... In the afternoon, the wind will strengthen to reach 10-12 knots, turning west-southwest. With this wind that will be abetting (wind direction that deviates from the axis of the boat), the sailors will be able to pick up speed and get closer to the Spanish coast with a passage between the DST and Galicia which should be the option chosen by most sailors, to seek the downwind south of Cape Finisterre. It is on the evening of this Tuesday that the first skippers should pass the latitude of Cape Finisterre, under a west-northwest wind of around 10 knots. During the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, the wind will turn northwest and the sailors will be able to begin a long downwind route along the Iberian coast.

Wednesday, April 23

The wind will shift to the north and strengthen in the morning, reaching 15 knots in average wind speeds. With the wind coming from behind the boat, the sailors will have to gybe to maintain a good angle to the wind and optimize their speed. The gaps could widen between the first sailors to round Cape Finisterre and reach downwind speed and their pursuers. In the afternoon, the north wind will continue to strengthen, reaching 20 knots. The sea will be rough, but with waves coming from behind the boats, this will not hinder their progress. It's a real speed race that will begin within the fleet. They will have to fine-tune their trajectory and choose the best time to gybe to avoid losing ground to their rivals.

Thursday, April 24

The Portuguese trade winds will remain brisk, with the wind shifting slightly to the right to a north-northeast veer. With this wind close to the great circle (the shortest route to La Palma in the Canaries), sailors will continue to gybe along their route. There will be no options to play with this fairly steady north-northeast wind of 17 to 20 knots, on the eastern edge of the Azores High. With an average speed expected to be around 12 knots, the first sailors are expected at the latitude of Cape St. Vincent, south of Portugal, this Thursday at the end of the day.

Friday, April 25

During this Friday, the sailors are expected to sail on starboard tack toward Madeira in a still brisk north-northeast wind, close to 20 knots. As they approach Madeira, they will have to make one or two gybes to avoid straying too far from the direct route leading to La Palma. The first skippers are expected in the middle of the night from Friday to Saturday at the latitude of Madeira.

Full bulletin here: https://marine.meteoconsult.fr/