Weather News

Fair weather ahead for Watson

Jessica Watson was welcomed back to Australia waters by some fairly atrocious weather, but sunny skies are on the horizon.

A deep low, a relic left behind by a cold insurrection of polar air was the culprit. The intense, but compact system, driven by cold air in the upper atmosphere, delivered some heavy seas and storm force winds. The winds, gusting past 50 knots, were responsible for tearing Ella's (Jessica's boat) mainsail.

The low also has been delivering widespread electrical storms, some of which have been severe. Notwithstanding the threat of a mast strike, the storms brought highly unpredictable wind changes and potentially destructive gusts.

The good news is that the low is heading east and weakening, conditions for both Jessica and Ella will improve rapidly.

A high pressure ridge will move in behind and form a belt across the Great Australian Bight next week. This will bring sunny skies and calmer winds. On the downside the lighter winds, could at times hinder Jessica's progress as they move into an easterly direction.

She will be exposed to Southern Ocean swells as several fronts slide past during the week, nothing that she hasn't already coped with though.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2010

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