Olympic Games 1996
IYRU Olympic Update
THE CONDITIONS:
UNPREDICTABLE WINDS & WEATHER
Weather is the prime condition for racing sailors, and SavannahÕs weather patterns are anything but predictable. The oceanÕs floor along the Savannah coast is characterised by shallow shoals and banks out to about six to 13km/3 to 7mi offshore. Ocean depths increase gradually due to the gentle relief of the continental shelf, and may be only 1.5m/50ft deep at a distance of 11 to 16km/7 to 10mi offshore.
The typical weather pattern for the Savannah area during the months of July and August is generally considered gentle, interrupted by occasional thunderstorms. The pattern results in warm temperatures and partly cloudy skies through the summer.
The winds on a typical day in Savannah begin as a light breeze from the west to the Northwest at about 5 knots. The winds diminish in the late mornings and by midday, the sea breeze circulation begins to kick in as the land temperature warms up quicker than the ocean temperature. When the sea breeze does rise, the winds backs the morning breezes from the Southwest around to the south and Southeast in the afternoon. The Southeast direction of the sea breeze is due to the orientation of the coast.
Wind speed during the afternoon sea breeze average between seven and 12 knots.
Specialised weather support will be provided to the Olympic yachting events by the National Weather Service, which will staff and equip two weather stations, one in Atlanta and one in Savannah. The stations will include computer workstations linked to the NWS and the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games through the National Meteorological Centre will run high-resolution atmospheric and oceanic models. Doppler weather radar in Charleston, South Carolina and in Jacksonville, Florida will monitor the atmosphere over Savannah and the offshore yachting courses.
A set of National Data Buoy Centre buoys will also observe and record the marine wind, wave and current conditions near the race site; National Weather Radio will provide updated weather information 24-hours-a-day over the Savannah and offshore areas via VHF radio.
IYRU Olympic Update
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