Weather and where to watch today

A fantastic opportunity to see the big boats close up

A thunderstorm warning was issued by HM Coast Guard at 0830 this morning to all sailing competitors at Cowes. However despite the odd shower and possible storm, today will be another opportunity to watch Class 0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and Contessa 32s round the Elephant buoy off of Thorness Bay and then pick their way along the shore to the finish from 1330.

In the west of the Solent, the wind is expected to be a north-westerly 4-8 knots with a sea breeze building from the south-west of 10-15 knots from late morning. Central Solent will be variable or north-west-north 3-5 knots with a weak south-westerly sea breeze of 8-12 knots predicted by late afternoon. In the east, a light variable, north-west to north-east of 4-7 knots building slightly in the afternoon to 8-12 with a southwesterly sea breeze.

The Etchells, Melges 24s, 707s, Dragons, Darings and other smaller classes will be heading to the east, and while their courses are set away from the shore, their final mark will be Norris just off of the East Cowes shore. They are expected to arrive there from 1300 onwards.

The overall forecast is for variable cloud, sunny spells with the occasional heavy shower.