Magaliesberg Weather for the Weekend of Sat 3 – Sun 4 November, 2012
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 before taking off, by using official weather sites and official published weather reports!
Note: This weather report 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:
Aeroden >>
http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=395350
Brits >>
http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=79714
Firstly, the
WEATHER RADAR for South Africa dd. 01.11.2012 @ 20h00:
Weather Radar courtesy of
http://www.weatherphotos.co.za/
Comment: No approaching fronts visible but high-level cloud will form over Gauteng and North West provinces on Sunday. However, this should not affect your Sunday morning flight!
Now,
MAGALIEBERG WEATHER (in the Aeroden area):
- Weather - Magaliesberg - 12.11.03-04 - WindGuru - Aeroden 1.png (49.1 KiB) Viewed 4112 times
- Weather - Magaliesberg - 12.11.03-04 - WindGuru - Aeroden 2.jpg (64.3 KiB) Viewed 4112 times
(Note: This is a ‘2000m AGL’ view of the winds, with the top row of wind arrows at 3000m/9842ft altitude)
Saturday 3rd November:
Wind: NNW 5-10 knots increasing to NNW 9-11 knots later in the morning.
High-Level Winds: Yes, but manageable at 14 knots max
Temperatures: 13-24C (not warm, but ok)
Cloud Cover: No
Precipitation: No
Comments: With winds NNW 5 gusting 10 knots you will need to exercise care, particularly when landing back at Aeroden with this wind as a TAIL WIND!
Remember to use power for your landing! Also, later, whereas the windspeed INCREASES to NNW 9-11 knots, it is more steady, with less gusting!
Sunday 4th November:
Wind: NW 3-5 knots increasing to NW 8-9 knots later in the morning.
High-Level Winds: Yes, but manageable at 14 knots max
Temperatures: 13-28C
Cloud Cover: Yes, high level
Precipitation: No
Comments: With winds later in the morning increasing to NW 8 gusting 9 knots you will need to exercise more care, particularly when landing back on Aeroden 18 with this cross wind as it has a TAIL WIND component which will chase you down the runway!
SO . . . remember to use power for your landing!
Comment from John.com:
I went for a 90min flight this afternoon (Thu 01 Nov) and it whereas the wind was blowing NE 5-8 knots is was VERY pleasant!!! I had a great flight with an easily executed (3/10 risk) cross wind landing at 18:45!!! 
For an
instant weather report from
Aeroden Weather Station (25°43'30.17"S 27°44'23.90"E):
SMS "AD" to 36010 (Cost R5 - free SMS do not apply)
CAUTIONARY: As always with landing on Aeroden 18, be careful with the tailwind component that will be present on BOTH mornings! Use power to increase your air speed when landing in order to counter a possible gust from the REAR, particularly on Saturday, when the gust factor is higher!
Useful Weather Websites:
WindGuru
http://www.windguru.cz
Kobus Botha Weather
http://www.weatherphotos.co.za
South African Weather
http://www.weathersa.co.za
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
Aviation MET Office: +27 82 233 9600 or +27 83 233 8800 (provide location/routing and flight level)
Safe Skies!
John.com
Geez guys . . . . this is MADNESS!!!! Either rain OR wind OR cloud OR a combination of the three!!! 