Magaliesberg Weather Guide for the Weekend of Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 October, 2013
Report Summary:
Not a great weekend for flying! Winds aloft are fairly high, particularly on Sunday. Surface wind conditions in fact IMPROVE throughout Sunday morning until midday, after which winds pick up dramatically. Winds aloft on Sunday are quite sever and from the south, which could result in ROTOR-EFFECT at Aeroden, so do take care!
Out-of-Five Rating: Saturday Morning
Sunday Morning
Disclaimer: This weather guide is precisely that, a 'guide'! Use it, but question it, and always do your own research before flying! Remember that it remains the PIC's responsibility to conduct an independent check of the weather at the point of departure and destination as well as en route before taking off, by using official weather sites and official published weather reports!
Note: This weather guide is for Aeroden (25°43'30.17"S 27°44'23.90"E), a lodge and airstrip on the northern side of the northern Magaliesberg ridge, 6 miles west of the Hartebeespoort Dam wall - so PLEASE check the relevance to the area in which YOU plan to fly!
ALL COMMENTS/OPINIONS ARE WELCOME! The weatherman can be wrong!
For the
LATEST Magaliesberg WX go online to:
WindGuru for Aeroden
World Weather Online for Aeroden
WindGuru for Brits
WEATHER RADAR for South Africa dd. 10.10.2013 @ 17h00:
Weather Radar courtesy of http://www.weatherphotos.co.za/
Comment: Clear skies at this time. Some mid-level cloud is expected to build up on Saturday afternoon, accompanied by high winds.
SYNOPTIC CHART for South Africa dd. 10.10.2013 @ 18h00Z:
Synoptic Chart courtesy of SAWS (South African Weather Service) http://www.weathersa.co.za/
Comment: Low pressure systems to the south and centre-west of the country. The winds on Saturday and Sunday afternoons will be more localised conditions, rather than a weather system per se.
MAGALIEBERG WEATHER (in the Aeroden area):
Wind Speed & Gusts, Cloud Cover, Precipitation, Temperature & Barometric Pressure (click on image to enlarge)

- Weather - Magaliesberg Aeroden - 13.10.12-13 - WindGuru - 1.png (56.59 KiB) Viewed 3923 times
(click on image to enlarge)
Winds Aloft (2000m AGL) (click on image to enlarge)
(Note: This is a ‘2000m AGL’ view of the winds, with the top row of wind arrows at 3000m/9842ft altitude)
Saturday Morning - 12th October:
Surface Wind: NW 4-5 knots increasing to NW 12-16 knots later in the morning.
High-Level Winds: Some, medium (20 knots @ 1000ft AGL)
Temperatures: 18-34C
Cloud Cover: No
Precipitation: No
Visibility: 10km
Comments: You could get in an early flight. Be back on the deck by mid-morning. HOT!!!
Sunday Morning - 13th October:
Surface Wind: S 6-9 knots decreasing to SW 4-6 knots later in the morning.
High-Level Winds: YES, high (24 knots @ 1000ft AGL)
Temperatures: 16-30C
Cloud Cover: No
Precipitation: No
Visibility: 10km
Comments: Surface conditions are good but winds aloft will make for an uncomfortable flight! Tailwind take-off on 36, so expect a slightly longer takeoff roll.

Up to 1000ft AGL the winds aloft are from the SOUTH, so expect
ROTOR-EFFECT to the NORTH of the Magaliesberg northern ridge.
For an
instant weather report from
Aeroden Weather Station (25°43'30.17"S 27°44'23.90"E):
SMS "AD" to 38020 (Cost R10 - free SMS do not apply)
CAUTIONARY: Both the afternoons are NOT GOOD for flying! Expect ROTOR-EFFECT on Sunday morning if flying to the NORTH of the Magaliesberg northern ridge.
Useful Weather Websites:
WindGuru
http://www.windguru.cz
Kobus Botha Weather
http://www.weatherphotos.co.za
South African Weather
http://www.weathersa.co.za
World Weather Online
http://www.worldweatheronline.com/
For instant weather reports from
OTHER Weather Stations, SMS the Weather Station Code (
BOLD text) to 35010
(Cost R3 - free SMS do not apply)
Rustenburg
FARG
Vaal Dam
VAAL
Kitty Hawk
FAKT or
http://www.fakt.co.za/weatherstation.html
Midrand
MID
Aeropark Zynkraal
AZA
Krugersdorp
FAKR
Other Web-Based & Dial-in Weather Reports:
Kroon (25°39'33.50"S 27°59'58.98"E)
http://www.microflyers.co.za/weather/
Aviation MET Office: +27 82 233 9600 or +27 82 233 9700 or +27 83 233 8800
(provide location/routing and flight level)
SA Weather and Disaster Observation Service:
http://sawdis1.blogspot.com/
Decoded TAFs for Southern Africa:
http://www.intercitycharters.com/Weather/TAFSA.php
Decoded METARs for Southern Africa:
http://www.intercitycharters.com/Weather/METARSA.php
Safe Skies!
John.com
WINDGURU CHART LEGEND (click to enlarge)