Lid wrote:I was having a good look at the statistics that the authorities give to me (which is far more frequently than the METARs are issued), and the biggest gust I've seen (averaged over 10 minutes, as is the same information that goes out in the METAR) is 40kts.
Jolly good show chaps, for pulling a plan B out of the hat, and I don't mean to rattle cages, but it is a bit Octoberish out there - wouldn't it be better to hold these things at some point where it isn't about to kill everyone - like, May?
40kts will have been the biggest gust, however the issue I believe was the swirling nature of the wind on Lower College Lawn. A tent will stand up to 40kts, but if the wind is whipping round it that puts a lot more strain on the support.
I've been involved in the event and the tent crew did a magnificent job making sure the tent was safe for the Sunday. They told me last night that they're astounded it stayed standing in the wind, even more so that there was no damage to the structure. Northern Light also did fantastically moving their gear across town at the drop of a hat on Saturday.
Yes it was late October in St Andrews, but if it was such a bad idea I'd have thought the tent company would have refused the hire. I also struggle to remember such extreme October weather - yes it can be grim, but those gales are usually reserved for January.
Huge congratulations to the whole Starfields committee, to Stacy, to the Ents, to the bar staff and union staff, and to all contractors for making a success of what could have been a very sticky situation!