A yacht race from Wick to Stornoway in Scotland was scheduled to start at 8am on August 31st. At 7am, the Met Office advised cancelling the race based on the synoptic weather chart. The chart showed an occluded front bringing heavy rain, low clouds, and poor visibility moving into the area. It also showed tightly packed isobars indicating strong winds blowing from the southwest, which would make sailing difficult. Therefore, the Met Office recommended cancelling the race due to forecasted strong winds, heavy rain, and low visibility.

1. How to answer …… A Weather Question

2. Synoptic Chart for the British Isles at 0700h on 31 August A yacht race from Wick to Stornoway was due to start from Wick harbour at 8.00am on 31 August At 7.00am the Met Office advised the race organisers to cancel the race. With reference to the synoptic chart, explain why this advice was given. 5 marks

3. What are the key words? A yacht race from Wick to Stornoway was due to start from Wick harbour at 8.00am on 31 August At 7.00am the Met Office advised the race organisers to cancel the race. With reference to the synoptic chart, explain why this advice was given. 5 marks place : see map direction : see map time : compare with map type of boat : think! change of plan! use the information on the map number of points to make

4. Link question to the map Where? 0700 h 31 August When? Wick and Stornoway From Wick to Stornoway Direction? Race due to start at 0800h Map is for 0700h

5. Study the map for information Centre of low pressure : likely to bring stormy weather Occluded front: broad belt of very heavy rain, low cloud and poor visibility Tightly packed isobars : strong winds South westerly winds Associated weather is moving west to east Warm mT air Cold mP air

6. Back to the question …. Why was the race cancelled? Competitors would risk very strong winds and therefore high seas They would be sailing straight into the wind so it would be difficult to make progress Temperatures would be low There would be heavy rain There would be thick cloud and probably poor visibility But this is not enough. Why not?

7. “ Explain.. With reference to the map ” Strong winds – close isobars Head winds – wind direction SW Low temperatures – mP air mass Heavy rain – occluded front Low cloud and poor visibility – occluded front 5 marks