METEOROLOGIST Chris Tibbs has given his weather forecast for this weekend's Round the Island Yacht Race.

The annual boat race takes place tomorrow (Saturday), with Islanders flocking to view nearly 1,200 boats and more than 10,000 sailors race around the Isle of Wight for the event's 90th anniversary.

Top five locations to watch tomorrow's Round the Island Race

Chris, who will be taking part in the event, says a ridge of high pressure still dominates the local weather, creating light south-westerly winds although low pressure to the west of Ireland is edging closer.

Early on Saturday morning there will be winds coming from the east and south-east, although the morning will be a little slow.

Some showers are expected at around midday, with winds picking up again during the afternoon.

Later in the afternoon, winds will reach 13 to 18 knots with water temperature of around 16C and onshore temperature of 20C.

Chris says the inside passage past the wreck - to the west of the Needles - is a high-risk option, and advises sailors to take the outside line, which is a little slower but much safer.

More than 1,000 boats prepare for Saturday's Round The Island Race

Overall, the conditions look promising yet challenging for participants, with enough wind and rain to add unpredictably to proceedings without hampering the fun.

Sailor and Helly Hansen ambassador Pip Hare will fire the cannon at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, to start the action at 6.30am tomorrow.