19th World Paragliding Championships Castelo Weather Forecast 5th Sep

Summary

The barometer drops 3mb to the east and 2mb to the west of the take off area, meaning a drop to air density, thinner atmosphere and weaker inversion.

Humidity close to the ground is dropping by 10% and at higher atmosphere is dropping from 90 to 50%. This will make thermals a little stronger than yesterday by 0,5m/s.

Temperature range from 19 to 33 C, creating good contrast and enough thermal triggering close to the ground. This means that thermals may be more organised close to the ground comparing to the previous day and have shorter cycles.

Cu clouds are expected to the east but also to the NorthWest of Castelo, with more of them to the east and with a higher cloud base reaching 2500m at 14.30h, and a coverage from 30% to the take off at 15.00h and 60% more to the east. Castelo valley will be blue, but to the NW thinner and lower clouds are expected comparing to the east.

The day will start working at 11.00h with lift up to 1700m, later will improve up to 15.30h up to 2200-2300m. Afterwards the conditions will drop and gusty winds are expected low in the valleys after 17.30h.

A calculated 25kph average XC speed is expected and a potential 3h task gives an opportunity for a 70km+ competition task.

Convergence area is expected to the east from Castelinho to Princesa.

More details

Barometer: 1017mb

Temperature range :19-33C 

Dewpoint: 8,5 C

Low humidity: 20% dropping by 10%

High Humidity: 50% dropping from 90% comparing to the previous day

Cloud base: at 2500m to the east at 14.30h

Cloud tops :+100m from Cloud base

Cloud types :Cu

Coverage :from 30% to 60%, more to the east

Sun energy flow: increases comparing to yesterday (200-250 W/m2)

Inversions :2100m at 14.30h

Average thermal :at 2,2m/s

Thermals/Altitude: 500m/+2,7m/s, 1000m/+3,6m/s, 1500m/+4m/s, 2000m/+3m/s

Ideal Thermal Zone for Speed :800m-2000m

Gusts :20kph at 17.00 30+ at 18.30h, maybe earlier

0m: NNW 12kph

600m: NNW 13 kph

1200m: NNW16 kph

1800m: NNW 16kph

2400m: E<10kph Above the 2100m inversion

3000m: SE<10kph

3600m: SE<10kph

Conditions organise: 11.00h up to 1700m lift

Conditions decline after: 15.30h (peak at 2300m to the east)

Peak period: 13.00-15.30h

Peak time: 15.00h

Duration of task: 3h

Calculated XC Speed: 24kph

Potential task: 70km +

Convergence lines: east from Castelinho to Princesa 

Rain: N/A