Winter Olympics 2018: Gusty wind fears prompt adjustments to late-week Alpine skiing events
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Women's Alpine Combined skiing has been pushed up from Friday to Thursday and Women's Snowboard Big Air has been moved to Thursday morning.
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Gusty winds are expected to return late Thursday into Friday but will not be as strong as what caused postponements and damage during the middle of last week.
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Accumulating snow will precede Friday's gusty breeze.
Fears of gusty winds around PyeongChang, South Korea, late Thursday into Friday prompted officials to adjust schedules once again.
The women’s Alpine combined skiing event will now take place on Thursday, according to the Olympics' official website.
The Women's Snowboard Big Air has been moved up to Thursday morning due to upcoming inclement weather.
Thursday will start off calm with light winds and a mixture of sunshine and clouds.
AccuWeather meteorologists predict that gusty winds will occur in PyeongChang from Thursday afternoon into Friday but may not reach the speeds that caused the postponements on the ski slopes and damage at the Gangneung Olympic Park during the middle of last week.
Austria's Anna Veith competes in women's downhill training at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Jeongseon, South Korea, on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
"Wind gusts Thursday afternoon into Friday should generally range from 9-13 m/s (20-30 mph), which could have an impact on any outdoor events," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Adam Douty.
"Occasional gusts as high as 18 m/s (40 mph) can not be ruled out on Friday." added Douty.
The cause of the stronger winds is a storm that will spread snowfall across parts of the Korean Peninsula Thursday night.
The snow may leave a fresh coating to an a couple of centimeters (coating to an inch) on PyeongChang on Thursday night.
Snowfall amounts at the Alpine Centres may reach up to 10 cm (4 inches).
Aside from the gusty winds on Friday, dry weather is expected with clouds giving way to some sunshine.
Seasonable temperatures, dry weather and lighter winds are expected to prevail on Saturday.
The threat for snow may return on Sunday as the final events wrap up. Outdoor events that could be impacted include include 4-man Bobsleigh and Ladies' 30km Cross Country Skiing.
