National Weather Service - Olympic Marine Weather Support Office

1996 Olympic Yachting Venue - Savannah, Georgia

9am Weather Briefing
Friday, July 19, 1996

Synopsis: A high pressure ridge across Florida will result in a moderate W/SW gradient flow across the venue today. The sea breeze will initially develop across the offshore fields of play during the early afternoon, then reach Wassaw Sound by mid afternoon. Warm temperatures aloft and a decrease of the depth of moisture will preclude convective development. Heat Index values will reach dangerous levels of 105 F (40.5 C) or greater during the afternoon at the Olympic and Day Marinas.

HEAT INDEX WARNING 1300-1800 hrs

Forecast for Wassaw Sound/Day Marina/Offshore fields of play: Sunny skies will prevail. Maximum temperatures will reach about 95 F (35 C) at the Olympic Marina, 92 F (33.5 C) at the Day Marina, and the mid 802 F (29 C) offshore. Relative humidity of 85% at 0830 hrs will reach about 55% during maximum heating. Heat index values will rise to dangerous levels of 105-108 F (40.5-42.0 C) at the Olympic Marina between 1400 and 1700 hrs and to 103-105 F (39.5-40.5 C) at the Day Marina between 1300 and 1600 hrs.

Winds: SW gradient flow will give way to sea breeze formation during the early-mid afternoon, initially across the offshore field of play around 1300 hrs, then in Wassaw Sound between 1400 and 1500 hrs. The sea breeze is expected to increase to near 12 kts (6 m/s) and shift to 160-170 degrees across the offshore fields of play and to near 180 degrees within the Sound by late afternoon. A period of lighter winds (near 6 kts, 3 m/s) will occur during a one hour period prior to sea breeze formation.

***There is a slight chance the gradient flow will remain strong enough to limit sea breeze development. If this occurs, winds will not shift as much as forecast, and will reach only 190-200 degrees, especially within the Sound.

Waves: 1 ft (0.3 m) in Wassaw Sound and 2.5 ft (0.8 m) within the offshore field of play.

Thunderstorms: Not expected.

Heat Index: 105-108 F (40.5-42.0 C) at the Olympic Marina and 103-105 F (39.5-40.5 C) at the Day Marina.

Outlook for Saturday/Saturday night: Little change is expected in the pattern Saturday as winds remain west and a sea breeze develops during the early-mid afternoon offshore and within the Sound. Heat index values will again reach 105 F (40.5 C). An isolated shower or thunderstorm is possible Saturday evening within the City of Savannah.

Tropical Storm Outlook: Negative.