What actually happened? How well did the forecast verify? Over the 24-hour period beginning at 06 UTC 23 November, the Polarstern experienced northerly to northwesterly winds, with increasing intensity. The highest wind speeds reported from the vessel were 33kt at 15 UTC on 23 November, which decreased to 27kt at 21 UTC on 23 November before increasing again into the near gale force range. The reported wind direction is consistent with what would be expected ahead of a cold front system.
By 06 UTC on 24 November, the Polarstern was reporting a 35 to 36kt northwesterly wind, a wind wave of 4 m, and a 3 m swell wave.