General Situation:
This Thursday, moderate southwesterly flow in the Channel between an anticyclone at 1016 hPa, centered on Poland and a depression at 971 hPa, centered to the east of Iceland.
Friday, sustained southwesterly flow in the Channel between an anticyclone at 1019 hPa, centered on Belarus and a depression at 985 hPa (former hurricane Ernesto), centered on Scotland.
Saturday, sustained westerly flow in the Channel between an anticyclone at 1027 hPa centered north of the Azores and a depression at 987 hPa centered between Iceland and Scotland.
Weather conditions in Rouen
Thursday August 22
A very beautiful sunny day but the sky is getting cloudy in the late afternoon
Wind: light southwest flow at 15-20 km/h (gusts to 40 km/h)
Temperatures: 11 to 24°C
Risk of precipitation: 0%
Friday August 23
Very cloudy to overcast sky.
Wind: sustained southwest flow at 25-30 km/h (gusts to 50 km/h)
Temperatures: 17 to 24°C
Risk of precipitation: 0%
Weather trend in Le Havre
Saturday August 24
Very cloudy skies with the passage of a very active rain front with sustained rain in the afternoon.
Wind: moderate southwest flow, 15 to 20 km/h (gusts to 40 km/h) in the morning, turning west in the afternoon (25 to 30 km/h and gusts to 50 km/h)
Temperatures: 17 to 19°C
Chance of precipitation: 100%
Weather conditions for departure from Le Havre this Sunday, August 25 at 3 p.m.
After having delivered from Rouen to Le Havre this Friday, August 23, the skippers will set sail from the Bay of Seine this Sunday, August 25 at 3 p.m. The weak conditions, on the edge of the high pressure ridge are confirmed. The reliability is now 75% overall. The exact positioning of the ridge will affect the more or less west or northwest direction of the flow. The vast majority of scenarios are currently counting on 5 to 10 knots of average wind. The start of this first leg of the 2024 edition of the Solitaire will therefore be a gentle tour this Sunday but with enough wind to ensure the start, despite the swelling of the ridge.
Sea conditions this Sunday August 25 and following night
On Sunday evening, the skippers should maintain a light flow of 5-10 knots, with a wind that will gradually take from the left and settle to the west then southwest. They will move slowly in this first part of the race. They will sail the following night under a light southwest flow, along the Normandy coast. The wind should still strengthen slightly, around 10-15 knots. Note that the sea will be calm but the currents will have to be managed with a passage through the Pointe du Hague which will inevitably be a little technical with the passage of the Raz de Barfleur.