Using ASCAT Wind and Other Data in Marine Forecasting

4.0 Forecast Future Conditions at a Projected Point » 4.11 Identify Wind Speed and Direction

The Polarstern is projected to be at lat/lon 52.2°S and 13.4°E at 06 UTC on 24 November. Looking at its position (the yellow star) in relation to the position of the cold front, identify the expected wind speed and direction at that point, then answer the questions below.

GFS 10m wind overlaid on MSLP valid for 24 Nov 2013 at 6 UTC with cold front drawn and ship's position drawn for an exercise

Question

The expected wind direction is , and the expected wind speed is .

We would expect a northwesterly wind ahead of the cold front. The GFS wind and surface pressure fields show this to be the case, and predict a wind speed of about 30kt.