Winter Olympics 2018: Gusty wind fears prompt adjustments to late-week Alpine skiing events
By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
February 21, 2018, 9:28:59 AM EST
Share this article:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
RELATED:
How cold weather, loud cheers can harm hearing of Winter Olympics spectators
2018 Winter Olympics site, PyeongChang, South Korea, is the Earth's coldest location based on its latitude
Norovirus outbreak strikes the PyeongChang Winter Olympics
Winter Olympics: Weather conditions should not hinder women's 2-person bobsled medal event
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.
SEE ALSO:
Detailed AccuWeather forecast for Jeongseon Alpine Centre
Detailed AccuWeather forecast for Gangneung Olympic Park
Detailed AccuWeather forecast for Olympic Sliding Centre
More Weather News
-
Live updates: Schools cancel classes in preparation for monster winter storm
Weather News - February 19, 2019, 8:50:18 PM EST
More than 200 million Americans, roughly 60 percent of the U.S. population, will be impacted by a major storm that is set to bring snow, rain, ice or a wintry mix to every state east of the Mississippi River.
-
Back-to-back storms to blast Plains to Upper Midwest with heavy snow through Sunday
Weather News - February 19, 2019, 3:13:43 PM EST
As the punches from Old Man Winter keep coming, two storms will unload heavy snow from the southern High Plains to the Upper Midwest through Sunday.
-
Tropical depression to become a typhoon, may threaten Guam this weekend
Weather News - February 19, 2019, 11:35:23 AM EST
While the western Pacific Ocean has been quiet since Tropical Storm Pabuk struck southern Thailand in early January, a new tropical threat has taken shape.
-
Flu season peaks with widespread cases in US but falls short of last season's intensity
Weather News - February 19, 2019, 11:18:46 AM EST
Following a recording-breaking flu season of 2017-18, this flu season is currently not showing the same type of intensity at its secondary peak.
-
Over a dozen left dangling over water after winds cause gondola ride to malfunction at SeaWorld San Diego
Weather News - February 19, 2019, 11:23:32 AM EST
Firefighters performed a daring rescue Monday night after winds caused a gondola ride to malfunction at SeaWorld San Diego.
-
How are weather-related school delays, closures determined?
Weather News
Winter weather may bring road and driving conditions that can delay or cancel school operations, but who makes the decisions and how do they make the final call?
-
Tropical Cyclone Oma to batter New Caledonia into midweek, New Zealand and Australia on alert
Weather News - February 19, 2019, 11:25:01 AM EST
After battering parts of Vanuatu with heavy rain and gusty winds last week, Tropical Cyclone Oma will unleash dangerous weather on New Caledonia into Wednesday.
-
Powerful storm to bring flooding, heavy mountain snow to northern India, Pakistan at midweek
Weather News - February 19, 2019, 8:24:34 AM EST
The recent period of stormy weather from India to Afghanistan will continue this week as a potent storm brings widespread impacts to the region.
TRENDING NOW
Live updates: Schools cancel classes in preparation for monster winter storm
More than 200 million Americans, roughly 60 percent of the U.S. population, will be impacted by a major storm that is set to bring snow, rain, ice or a wintry mix to every state east of the Mississippi River.
Read Story
'Firefall' to ignite in Yosemite National Park during Friday evening sunset
Yosemite is one of the most beautiful and well-known national parks in the United States, and visitors in mid-February may be treated to a spectacle not seen during any other time of the year.
Read Story
Comments
Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.