The 2013 Barclays Premiership season is set to kick off, and the anticipation is palpable. Tabloids are full of last-minute transfer gossip, whetting the appetites of a football-starved nation. Bookies are drawing up odds for fixtures based on the teams’ line-ups, current form, and the expected weather conditions. Factoring in the stadium forecasts for each game is a huge part of sports handicapping. But how do the playing conditions affect the beautiful game? Allow me to explain…

RAIN

Whilst a greased (slightly wet) surface will favour the more ‘footballing’ team, very wet weather – e.g. heavy rain –  can act as an equaliser, balancing out the contest. A waterlogged pitch will favour the team that adopts the long ball tactic, as any flick-on from a big centre forward (such as Newcastle’s Andy Carroll) could potentially lead to a goal.

A deluge will result in more mistimed tackles and more fouls being committed, more cards and possibly more sending offs. The game will likely feature a high number of free kicks within the final third, benefiting the team with a good dead-ball specialist (e.g. Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard). Shots are taken from longer range, as goalkeepers are more prone to making errors, tending more to parry the ball.

In other words, wet weather is typically a boon to the underdog, and so a game played on a sodden pitch is far harder to predict, even if on paper the teams seem unfairly matched.

SNOW/ FROST

Football is one of the few sports that is sometimes played in frosty or snowy conditions. In this situation the ball hardens and becomes trickier to control or get any purchase on. This will favour the more technically skilled group of players who are better  at controlling and passing the ball.

Subzero temperatures also tend to result in more serious injuries. The ground is harder and less likely to yield, resulting in ankle sprains and other ligament damage. Equally the likelihood of hamstring, calf, and groin injuries is increased in cold weather due to players not being adequately warmed up. In the long run this will impact the teams with smaller squads more than those with big budgets and deeper squads.

HEAT

A team used to playing in a hot climate (e.g. in La Liga) will have difficulty adjusting to the tempo at which a more northerly (e.g. Russian) team typically plays at. The flipside of this is if the second leg is played in hot, humid conditions, then player fitness and endurance become a critical factor for away team, especially if the game runs into extra time. Dehydration becomes a problem, with cramps and lactic acid setting in quicker due to a loss of minerals from sweating.

AIR PRESSURE

The 2010 world cup in South Africa was a great example of the effects that altitude can have on a game. At higher altitudes, the lower pressure and the thinner atmosphere will cause the ball to travel further. During the South Africa World Cup, the Adidas ‘Jabulani’ ball was criticised for having an erratic trajectory, but the vast changes in altitude could have also been responsible for the ball’s unpredictable movement through the air – a theory espoused by Fabio Capello.

It seems that anytime I read a blog about festival fashion it always seems to be directed at girls, but what about the boys? I’m pretty sure I have seen them drunkenly stagger around at festivals with a beer in one hand and a bottle of vodka in the other, whilst making their way back to their tent which smells of alcohol and hormones.

So with this is mind, I have decided to give all you guys out there a little helping hand about what to wear and what not wear during the festival season. Now I know men are notorious for not letting women help them at all but trust me when I say, a woman’s work is never done and in this case there is a lot to do.

Firstly, a Onesie which is basically like a baby grow…for adults. I don’t know even know where to begin with this one. Not only do they look horrendous, they are highly impractical for a festival. They may come in an array of designs including your favourite wildlife animals but what happens when Mother Nature calls and you need to go to the bathroom? You guessed it you will have to take it off and no one wants to have to strip in a festival cubicle because even imagining what goes on in there I’m sure is against some sort of law. Furthermore, most of them are not water proof meaning that you will get wet and it wasn’t even a good look to begin with so only god knows what it will look like wet.

Speaking of the rain, have you seen the weather recently? The heavens have certainly opened up and are ready for business with a total rainfall of 130mm in the UK last month, making it the wettest month since records began in this country. Some festivals south of the border even got cancelled to the extreme weather conditions such as the M Festival in Leeds last weekend.

Of course, we live in the UK so rain at a festival is nothing new and with predictions of 15mm of rain to fall in just one hour over the next few weeks, it is more or less guaranteed to rain. I know that every blogger under the sun will say this but wellies are a must at festivals. With there being a risk of Trench foot at this year’s T in the Park they are more like an essential in your first aid kit. That doesn’t mean however that they need to be those green farmer style ones. They can be any style you want and with a variety of wellies available I have a feeling you may want more than one pair.

I know that on a rare occasion there is a bit of sun and yes we all want to take full advantage of that. But boys, short shorts are never allowed. I’m sorry it’s just not a very attractive look on anyone, even if you are Chris Hoy and have the legs for it. Long shorts would probably be better because it means you don’t have to worry about your dignity being thrown out the window.

 However, one piece which boys should always bring to a festival is skinny jeans. This may not be a revolutionary idea but they are ideal for festivals. This is because if it does rain then they can easily be tucked into your wellies and they won’t get wet at the bottom. Furthermore, the revolution of soft jeans means that they are extremely comfortable so you and jump up and down as long as you like.

So boys, when getting ready for a festival this year be sure to pack your essentials because the weather may not always be in your favour. But the best thing you can do is have fun and if that means packing a lycra superhero outfit which will inevitably get wet then so be it, just don’t say I didn’t warn you.

I don’t know about you, but each morning when I wake up I immediately look out my window and, no it’s not to admire the view (because it’s just more houses). It is to see what the weather is like as there is nothing worse that wearing a brand new pair of suede boots and then the rain starting. So with this in mind this series of blogs will look into the love/hate relationship between fashion and the weather.

Fashion trends are as unpredictable as the weather so it is important for designers to cast their fashion forecast with accuracy and precision. This blog will look into fashion predictions for spring/summer 2012 and ask that all important question, are they suitable for the British weather?

Whiter than white

One of the biggest trends which stormed the catwalks of Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana was all things “white”. Yes, in a country where parts have experienced 200 mm of rain in just a few days, fashion designers in sunnier, warmer countries are telling us to wear a colour, which if wet, would mean embarrassing  revelations and protrusions – peanut smugglers beware. Furthermore, June 2012 is set to become one of the wettest June’s in the UK’s history since records began 100 years ago, so maybe a white umbrella would be the best way to be fashion forward this season.

Therefore, I wouldn’t get to excited about embracing this trend as rain spots on a white dress is as fashionable as wearing an Hawaiian shirt in Glasgow City Centre on a Saturday night.

Mules at the ready

Another popular catwalk item predicted to be big for this summer was the Mule. I don’t think people in the UK, where in May temperatures fell to -7 degrees in some parts of Scotland, making it one of the coldest May’s on record, will be wearing these ankle breakers anytime soon.

Why is that? Well the architectural design of the “mule” means that it is an open back style shoe, so if you do decide to wear them you better be prepared to have cold feet for the duration. Furthermore, we live in a country where rain is as common as us not winning Eurovision, so the rain water will travel into the shoe and make your feet and ultimately impossible to walk in. Sure, they may be a conversation starter due to their unique design but you will probably be having said conversation with a Nurse in A&E because you have worn those shoes in the wind and rain and fell over. Remember it’s not inappropriate weather it’s inappropriate clothing.

Top of the Crops

When it comes to this seasons fashion trend predictions something has happened which Mystic Meg herself couldn’t have even predicted. We got…wait for it…a brief spell of warm weather! Yes the sun came out of hiding and graced us with her glorious presence. Area’s such as Altnaharra in the Highlands reached a soaring 27.3 degrees Celsius last month which is equivalent to some of our European counterparts highest summer temperatures.

Luckily for us Dolce & Gabbana had decided to revive a trend which was thought to have had its day back in the 90’s, the Crop Top. Once considered as chavy and unfashionable now has been adopted into the fashion elite for this coming season. So when the weather is a bit warmer and fingers crossed we might experience another dose of summer sunshine, you can wear a trend taken straight of the catwalk.

Final Thought

If you are thinking of copying looks taken from the spring/summer 2012 collections, then here is a word of warning. Catwalks are inside, you on the other hand are outside and will be fighting the elements, so be prepared for the weather because looking like you have just decided to go for a quick swim in your new cat walked inspired outfit is not a good look, even Kate Moss couldn’t pull that off.

The UEFA European Championships 2012 is set to kick-off this Friday, and for those of us who have been suffering from the effects of football withdrawal since the end of the season, a daily double-bill of international fixtures will be a tantalising prospect. As ever, Weather2 will loyally bring you the stadium forecasts and playing conditions for all Euro 2012 games. Just check the Euro 2012 weather forecasts section.

The opening match of Euro 2012 features the joint-hosts Poland play the 2004 champions Greece. The weather conditions for this match in Poland’s National Stadium are forecast to be hot and humid, with a good chance of rain.

The Eastern European heat could be an issue for some of the Northern teams especially as the tournament progresses into late June, with temperatures averaging in the mid-twenties in both Ukraine and Poland over this month. Furthermore, as these climate profiles illustrate, June is also one of the wettest and windiest months, so the Euro 2012 teams will likely have to cope with varied and challenging playing conditions, so be sure to keep an eye on the forecasts.

The Euro 2012 games themselves are spread over 8 stadiums in total; 4 in Poland and 4 in Ukraine, with the final being played on the 1^st July in Ukraine’s Olympic Stadium. We have all the fixtures listed in our Euro 2012 Fixture Schedule, and each of these is a link to a specialized stadium weather forecast for that game. This includes a 7 and 14-day forecast with pitch conditions, as well as weather probability tables with precipitation and light condition information.

We hope you are looking forward to this summer’s Euro 2012 tournament as much as we are. And whether you are going to the games or just watching it at home, don’t forget to check our forecasts!

The sixth race on the Formula 1 Calendar takes place in Monte Carlo, Monaco. widely touted as the most famous and glamorous of all the F1 races, it is the sport’s flagship event. The Circuit De Monaco track snakes around the narrow streets of the principality and features many inclines and declines, the fastest and slowest hairpins in F1, and a tunnel to boot. Because of the design of the circuit it is generally considered to be more a test of the driver’s skill, and less about how powerful the cars are.

Although the Monaco Circuit is the slowest F1 circuit it is undoubtedly the one that packs the most variety and excitement. It is considered the most dangerous to drive; the slippery and uneven track and very narrow walls meaning that there is absolutely no margin for error. The teams will prepare a high downforce aero package and the tactic will be to drive conservatively whilst attempting to economise the tyre compound as much as possible. This track temperature chart for the Monaco Circuit gives you some great data on the likely temperature of the track surface and therefore some idea what the level of traction and rate of tyre wear might be.

As far as records are concerned, the current holder for the most Formula One wins in Monaco is Ayrton Senna with 6 victories, whilst the most successful team so far has been Maclaren with 15. However, the most prestigious racing event could celebrate its 70^th anniversary by writing another entry into the record books – That of six different winners in the first 6 rounds of a Formula 1 Season – which would make this the most open and competitive start to any F1 season in history.

 The changeable weather forecast for Monaco is a factor that will only add to the uncertainty of this race. As our high resolution precipitation chart for Monaco Circuit demonstrates, there is a very high probability of rain on Saturday, and that will most likely continue through Sunday as well. This means that the timing of when to be out on the track during Saturday’s qualifiers will be a crucial factor. Additionally our high resolution surface temperature chart shows that the ambient temperature around the Monaco Circuit will be around 24C for the race. This will be a cooler race than the Spanish GP a fortnight ago at the Catalunya Circuit, and this will certainly impact both the handling of the cars and the tyre degradation.

 The conditions are set for a highly open and unpredictable Formula 1 race. It’s certainly possible that a less well known driver could win this year’s Monaco Grand Prix. It only adds to the excitement!

The next circuit on the F1 calendar is Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, making it the 22^nd time the city will have hosted the GP. The teams should know this circuit inside out as they have been racing there since 1991 and have also used the venue for tests. However, this is still a hugely challenging circuit with its own idiosyncrasies which have been known to throw drivers in the past.

The track surface tends to be quite rough and will take its toll on the tyres. Those drivers who have been struggling with tyre wear this season – in particular Michael Schumacher, who has the highest tyre usage so far – may find this a challenging track. Despite having won the race 6 times in previous years, Schumacher of Mercedes struggled this season and has publicly criticised Pirelli for producing what he deems to be mediocre tyres.

The upside for Mercedes is that the relatively temperate conditions in Spain (by comparison to Bahrain) will perhaps serve Schumacher’s team-mate Nico Roseberg in good stead, seeing as he flourished in the cooler temperatures of Shanghai earlier this year to win from pole. The same is likely to ring true for Team Maclaren who had seen their consistent form over the first three races blighted by the unforgiving Bahraini heat in the fourth.

The Catalunya circuit is also famous for its unpredictable winds. Their strength and direction is hugely changeable, and given the emphasis on aerodynamics in modern racing, finding an optimal setup for this will prove difficult. The aerodynamic drag generated by these winds means that drivers tend to understeer or oversteer as the conditions change, which makes for some unexpected performances.

The abrasive track and erratic winds, combined with the enigmatic Pirelli tyres should make for a very watchable Spanish Grand Prix. Keep your eye on the ever changing forecast for Barcelona in the run up to the race weekend here. Just don’t ask me to pick the winner.

The Bahrain Grand Prix will be careering onto our screens this weekend, broadcast live from the International Circuit in Sakhir. The controversial race has been green lit despite mounting pressure on FIA to abandon the event due to civil unrest. The ruling Royal family have been accused of human rights atrocities, with violent demonstrations regularly erupting in the Gulf State. Despite the political turmoil, F1 boss Bernie Eccleston stated earlier this week that he saw no reason to cancel the race for the second consecutive year.

 “I’ve never heard anything that would lead me to believe it isn’t [safe]. People who live there and work there on a daily basis tell me everything’s normal… They’re not protesting about F1. If we didn’t go, whatever problems there are… would they stop Monday morning? The answer is no.”

Likewise, Sheikh Abdul-Aziz bin Mubarak, of the Bahrain Royal family said in a radio interview that F1 should not become politicized.

“Sport and music do not interfere with religion or politics… There are pockets of violence, but these are controlled in a better way than last year. We’ve made great strides.”

The Bahrain International Circuit itself is 5.4 km in length, and consists of a gruelling 57 laps. With the cloudless skies and blistering sun, heat management will be a priority both for the drivers and for the cars. As the track temperature is expected to exceed 45C, the tyre compounds used will be medium and soft. This means that the performance and grip of the tyre will be high but the durability very low. This will cause a large amount of rubber debris - known as marbles – to accumulate on the sidelines, which not only make it harder to control the vehicle but also effectively narrow the width of the track.

Apart from the heat, another unique feature of the Bahrain track is the desert wind which whips up clouds of sand into the air. These make the track more difficult to negotiate, forcing the drivers to work harder for their grid positions and points.

All in all, we are in for a very exciting spectacle. But with the Force India already team involved in a fire-bomb incident yesterday, let’s hope that the race is remembered for the quality of the driving, and not the demonstrations.

John Smith’s Grand National – held annually at Aintree Racecourse – is one of the most prestigious horseracing events on the calendar and certainly the worlds greatest steeplechase. However, with 40 horses competing, picking a winner can be a daunting task. That is why I have listed the most important criteria to check when picking a horse.

JUMPING

As the race is primarily about jumping, a strong fencer will be a likely candidate for winning it. There are 30 obstacles over the two courses so checking the form guides to determine how well the horse has jumped in previous races is a good idea.

 HANDICAP

The second factor to take into account is the weight carried by the horse. Unlike the Cheltenham Gold Cup where the horses are handicapped evenly, in the Grand National more weight is given to the better horses. As a general rule of thumb, those carrying the largest amount of weight are going to struggle, although winners have emerged from the top weight bracket in the past, (2010 winner Don’t Push It took victory with 11st 5lbs.)

ENDURANCE

Stamina is another property to look for in the competitors. Avoid those horses which have a good track record over short distances (2 miles). They won’t be able to recreate the same level of performance over twice the distance. Those horses that are stronger over longer distances will be the likeliest candidates, as stamina will always beat speed in a four and a half mile race.

CONDITIONS

The last and possibly most crucial factor however is the prevailing going. The forecast is not great for the Grand National, with patches of rain predicted. This will make the ground ride soft. Picking a horse that has excelled under those conditions is recommended. Check our Aintree Racecourse weather forecast to get a picture of what the conditions are expected to be, with weather probability charts available under the ‘risk’ section.

Good luck to you all!

FORMULA 1 BETTING

Are you betting on the Formula One Grand Prix? Now that the 2012 F1 Season is officially underway, it is time to check the odds and start gaming. With Jenson Button dominating in Australia, can he continue his fine form in Malaysia? Sebastian Vettel remains the bookies favourite to win the Championship at 2/1, with Button second favourite at 5/2. However, for the Sepang race, the best odds (courtesy of http://www.oddschecker.com) see  Button, Hamilton and Vettel all tied at 11/4.

 F1 WEATHER FORECASTS

One thing you must consider when you are betting is the forecast. The various weather conditions can dramatically alter the outcome of a race. This is why we provide free, super-accurate forecasts for all Formula 1 Grand Prix Circuits. Not only do we provide a 14-day Formula 1 racing forecast, but we also have reams of additional weather information displayed in graphs, charts, maps and tables for your convenience. Check the 14-day weather forecast for the Malaysian GP.

TRACK TEMPERATURE CHARTS

For betting, it is crucial that you check our  track temperature charts, as we are just about the only site that supplies these, let alone for free. This is critical data that WILL influence the course of a race, you would be mad not to check it. Here’s the Track Temp Chart for Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.

RISK/ PROBABILITY CHARTS

We also provide weather probability charts which tell you the exact probability or “risk” of a given weather event occurring, such as precipitation, winds, thunder, dew, and cloud. It will even tell you what the light quality and visibility levels will be on any given day. Have a look at the Probability Chart for Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.

This is the most comprehensive information available for free for all the Formula One Grand Prix Circuits and this is why we are the best in the business.

GREAT RESOURCE FOR F1 WEATHER

MyWeather2.com  is an absolutely indispensable resource for Formula 1 weather forecasts. Regardless of whether you’re betting or just a keen racing fan, you must bookmark us!

http://www.myweather2.com

We hope you enjoy the Championship, and best of luck!

The new Formula One season is fast approaching and I for one am certainly geared up for it. Puns aside, this is a huge event in the sporting calendar, with the championship kicking off this Sunday (18th March) in Melbourne’s Albert Park. A select few Formula 1 fanatics will be lucky enough to witness the races first hand; to smell the burning of rubber on tarmac and feel the roaring bass of the V8 engines. The rest of us will have to watch the televised coverage which has been split between Sky Sports and BBC (in the UK) in a new and controversial licensing agreement.

The calendar itself is the longest and most congested yet of any season, packing in a staggering 20 races. Two new circuits have appeared on the itinerary; the purpose-built Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, and the Bahrain International Circuit – whilst the Turkish GP has been omitted from the calendar. The odds-on favourite to win, is of course the irrepressible Sebastian Vettel who was last season’s runaway champion. His remarkable record saw him finish poll position in 11 out of 19 races and come second a further 5, amassing 392 points in the process.

Vettel’s team-mate of Red Bull Renault is Australian driver Mark Webber, who finished a distant third in the 2011 season, 134 points behind his German counterpart. He represents the most realistic challenger to Vettel’s title bid (having come first in the inaugural practice session) alongside the two Brits Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button as well as the Spanish outsider Fernando Alonso.

F1 BETTING

If you like to bet on F1, or simply want to know what the racing conditions will be for any of the GP circuits, then check out our F1 racing forecasts. For the hardcore racing geeks amongst you, we even provide track temperature charts and weather probability stats for each race. This invaluable resource for Formula One betting will accurately predict the exact conditions for races allowing you to make the most informed decision possible, and win big every time.