19th World Paragliding Championships Castelo Weather Forecast 9th Sep

Summary "North Winds at all levels"

Barometer drops in the area and air masses approach from the North expected strong and gusty.

Inversion in 1450, relatively weak, which will later increase to 1700-1900m at 15.00h

Humidity will decrease to all levels, however in the East and the SW it will be higher (40-50%) meaning that we expect more clouds to the east and SW.

Cu clouds will appear to the east and to the SW, but there seems to be a blue hole above Castelo.

Coverage will be around 30% max above the take off and it will increase as we go to the south. 

The horizon will have Cu, but in the middle the clouds will delay to appear.

Cloud base expected at 2200, later 2600.

Temperature contrast will be 14 C, meaning good triggering close to the ground, but with relatively long cycles as energy flow will not be very efficient (150-200 W/m2).

Thermals will be 2,5-3,0m, but close to the ground not expected above 1,5m/s. Actually above 900m thermals will be more organised.

Winds from the North, 12-17 kph to the ground and around 20-25kph higher. Possibly the challenge will be 25-30kph gusts, not knowing about the direction. It is possible that the North wind will be pushed up above the inversion offering a taskable day.

The conditions start after 10.00 with lift up to 1200m and decline after 15.00h with lift above 1800m, better to the south. 

Best conditions between 12.00h and 15.00h

Rain is not expected, and a slow task of 65-70km seems possible. 

Evangelos

More details

Barometer: 1014mb drops by 7mb (ICON)

Temperature range :19-33 C good contrast with low energy flow - long thermal cycles, and weak thermals close to the ground

Dew point: 13 C drops

Low humidity: 20%

High Humidity: 40-50% drops 20%

Cloud base: 2200m-2500m

Cloud tops :+400m 

Cloud types :Cu 

Coverage :30% above take off and more to the east and to the south. Above Castelo area a blue area is expected with Cu in the horizon better to the east and to the south (50% coverage)

Sun energy flow: 150-200 W/m2 (average) slow warming on the ground

Inversions :1400m, lated climbs at 1800m+

Average thermal :2,5-3,0m/s

Thermals/Altitude: 400m/1,5m/s...600m/2,7m/s...1000m/3,5m/s...

Ideal Thermal Zone for XCSpeed : 900-1400m 

Gusts :20-30kph

0m: N 12-17 kph

600m: N 12-19 kph  

1200m: N 20-25 kph

1800m:  NW 20-25 kph above the inversion

2400m:  WNW 20-25 kph

3000m:  WNW 18-20 kph

3600m:  WNW 18-20 kph

Conditions Start to organise: 10.30h thermals up to1200m  

Conditions decline after:  15.00h thermals up to 1800m+

Peak period:  12.30h-15.00h

Peak time:  15.00h

Duration of task: 2,5h 

Calculated XC Speed: 25 kph  

Potential task:   70 km

Convergence lines: N/A  

Rain: 0%