Bassmaster Classic qualifiers will get their first on-the-water look at Grand Lake on Friday as the initial 3-day practice session begins for the tournament, which kicks off next Friday in northeastern Oklahoma.
For those who competed in the 2013 Classic at Grand, the weather conditions will be stark contrast to the wintry mix they experienced in the days leading up to the competition. It actually might turn out to be a pleasant experience weather-wise, a welcome departure from the last few Classics where frigid and rainy conditions have been the norm.
According to Intellicast, Friday will bring partly cloudy skies and a high of 58 degrees to the Grove, Okla., area, site of blast off for the tournament. Winds will be out of the southwest at 10 to 15 mph.
The mercury will climb to 70 on Saturday with sunny skies and winds out of the Southwest at 15 to 20 mph. The winds will pick up overnight Saturday into Sunday when the temperature will remain mild at 72 degrees. Winds will be strong at 20 to 30 with gusts up to 40 mph out of the west.
The competitors will be off the water Monday and Tuesday before getting a final look at the lake on Wednesday when they go through practice blast off and check in procedures. The forecast for Wednesday calls for partly cloudy skies with a high of 51 and winds out of the northwest at 10 to 15 mph.
The only rain in the 10-day forecast for Grove is possible thunderstorms Monday night into Tuesday and Friday night into Saturday morning during the Classic.
