Météo Consult Weather Bulletin for Friday, April 18

General situation

This Friday, disturbed and fairly strong southerly flow, under the influence of a depression centered at 996 hPa south of Ireland.

Saturday, weak southerly wind conditions prevailed on the edge of a large low pressure system centered at 996 hPa over the southern Bay of Biscay.

Sunday, moderate north-northwesterly flow behind a low pressure system centered at 1001 hPa over the Pays de la Loire.

Weather conditions in Concarneau :

Friday, April 18 :

Unsettled weather with overcast skies accompanied by occasional heavy rain. Rain will become lighter and intermittent between late afternoon and evening.

South wind 30-35 km/h in the morning with gusts to 55 km/h, turning southeast 35-40 km/h in the afternoon with gusts to 60 km/h.

Temperatures from 12 to 13°C.

Chance of precipitation: 100%

Saturday, April 19 :

Very cloudy skies with only brief clearings. The risk of rain or showers is decreasing.

Prevailing south wind 15-20 km/h in the morning, weakening to light variable 5-15 km/h in the afternoon.

Temperatures from 10 to 14°C.

Chance of precipitation: 40%

Sunday, April 20 :

Mostly cloudy to overcast skies with intermittent light rain in the early morning. The weather will become dry again from late morning, and the clouds will allow for some clearings in the afternoon.

North-northwest wind 20-25 km/h, gusts 40-45 km/h

Temperatures from 10 to 14°C

Chance of precipitation: 70% in the morning, 20% in the afternoon

Weather conditions for the start of the Transat Paprec at 1:02 p.m. in Concarneau Bay :

Confirmation of good weather conditions for the start of the race with a north-northwest wind of 12 to 15 knots. These medium wind conditions will provide a beautiful spectacle in Concarneau Bay for the coastal course. The sea will be calm but a little choppy with waves. A southwest swell of around 60 cm will meet with waves of 40 cm formed by the north wind blowing over the water. As for the sky, the numerous clouds should allow for some clearings and the risk of showers will be low.

Weather conditions at sea for the start of the Transat Paprec

Sunday, April 20 :

It's a great start to the race that's shaping up with a brisk northwest wind of 15 to 20 knots that will allow the skippers to sail across at an average speed of 12 knots. Maximum gusts could reach 25 to 28 knots. A brisk and almost optimal start to the game with a speed race from the first miles to be covered on the Bay of Biscay. The only downside is a sea that will quickly become rough to strong with waves of 2m to 2.50m that will come from the starboard side, making navigation uncomfortable. In the evening and early night from Sunday to Monday, the wind will turn from the left and return to the west, blowing at a speed close to 20 knots. In the middle of the night, they will encounter a first disturbed front with a west-southwest wind of 15 to 18 knots ahead of the front, veering northwest behind the disturbance. This front will not be very active with moderate rain as it passes and gusts of around 25 knots. They will have to tack ahead of the front with the wind turning south-west, coming from the front of the boat. They will be able to resume a direct route to La Coruña after the front passes with the wind direction to the north-west.

Monday, April 21 :

In the morning, the sailors will be in the heart of the Bay of Biscay and will sail with a 15-knot northwest wind, allowing them to make a direct cross-country route towards the coast of Galicia, Spain. By midday Monday, they will see the wind ease to 6-8 knots as they turn slightly to the left to veer west-northwest. They will slow down significantly, making only 5-6 knots of speed. Wind conditions will remain light into Monday afternoon due to a ridge of high pressure between the Azores and the Iberian Peninsula. Their progress towards La Coruña will therefore be slow, before the wind picks up a little more force during the night from Monday to Tuesday.

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