Weather News

Let the Games begin

Bob Neil, Friday August 5, 2016 - 11:33 AEST

The sun will be shining on Rio De Janeiro as the world tunes in for the first day of the Olympic Games on Saturday.

Before the Rio 2016 Summer Games officially start, it's worth having a quick look at Rio's climate during August. Around half of the sports will take place outdoors. The monthly averages are:
Minimum temperature = 18.9 degrees Celsius
Maximum temperature = 25.6 degrees Celsius
Monthly rainfall = 50.5mm
Number of rain days = 6 days

Let's not forget the old adage 'climate is what you expect, weather is what you get.' So what will Rio get?

A high pressure ridge drifting over Brazil will control the weather during the first few days of the Games. Skies will be clear for the Opening Ceremony on Friday night at Maracana Stadium, or Saturday morning if you are tuning in from Australia.

As Christ the Redeemer watches sunrise over Rio on Saturday morning, there will be hardly a cloud in sight. Northerly winds will keep the entire day dry and push the mercury into the low thirties during the afternoon, a few degree above average for this time of year. Athletes competing in outdoor endurance sports like the men's road cycling race may find the heat challenging, although it will be an ideal day for spectators to visit Ipanema for a dip between events.

Sunday will start out on a dry and warm note too, although a cooler southerly change is expected to arrive later in the day. The temperature will be about five degrees cooler on Monday behind this change, with only a slight change of a late shower.

Looking ahead, the first rain for the 2016 Olympics should develop during the middle of next week. Wednesday's rugby and hockey matches could be influenced by the wet weather, perhaps giving an upper hand to countries more accustomed to a slippery playing field.

Find Weatherzone on Facebook and Twitter for updates on the Olympic weather during the rest of the Games.

- Weatherzone

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