Magaliesberg Weather Guide

[John.com]

I figured that it would make more sense to start a new topic for 'Magaliesberg Weather', so as not to confuse pilots from other regions which may be more flyable or less flyable than what we were reporting as 'weekend weather'!

OK, so here goes . . . .

Magaliesberg Weather for the Weekend of 18 - 19 August, 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 is the PIC's responsibilty to conduct an independent check of the weather at the point of departure and destination before taking off!

Note: This weather reports is from the Brits area, 20km north of the Hartebeespoort Dam - CHECK the relevance to the area in which YOU plan to fly!


ALL COMMENTS/OPINIONS WELCOME! The weatherman can be wrong!

For more online information please go to: http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=79714

Saturday 18th August - Morning: Quite flyable with wind blowing 5-9 knots easterly to start, changing to 7-9 knots northerly at around 14h00. Slightly stronger winds aloft. You will definitely get bumped around a bit, but nothing unmanageable. Temperatures: 10-21C. Cloud Cover: None

There was similar weather today (Friday 17th Aug, 2012) and I took BST for a test flight out of Aeroden at around 11.30am. A ENE wind of 4-13 knots was blowing and although I got bumped around a bit it was manageable. I ended with a power-on landing on 18 (quartering tailwind) and although my approach was a little bumpy I put her down smoothly with a groundspeed of 65mph.

So, are we hitting Sue's for a Boerie Roll?? See you there! viewtopic.php?f=5&t=19153

Sunday 19th August - Morning: VERY flyable with wind blowing northerly 2-2 knots Temperatures: 8-21C. Cloud Cover: None

If Saturday was good, Sunday will be GREAT!! See you in the skies!

CAUTIONARY: Please be aware of the extraordinary SAAF/SAPS helicopter traffic operating north of the northern ridge! FYI: Marikana (Lonmin mine) is just north of Buffelspoort Dam, alongside the Platinum Highway

Weather Flying Tip: Remember that 'Gusting is the Killer'! It is not so much the wind speed, as it is the differential between the wind speed and the wind gust speed! This is particularly pertinent for any tailwind or crosswind condition, as a gust from the SIDE can upset your flight path, and any gust from the REAR will dramatically reduce your lift. On takeoff or landing this situation has dire consequences! So remember to use power if landing with a quartering tailwind even if it adds to your ground speed! Rather have to control slightly higher ground speed once on the deck than get dropped out the sky on short final!!!

[Nacho]

WeatherSA says 19knots @ 6000ft with 50% cloud cover. All other resources indicates differently.

See you guys at Sue.

[Triker]

hi John

Thanks for the update, much appreciated
Sorry to hear about your little oepsie at aeroden

[bobthebuilder]

Easyweather seems to echo what Nacho is saying.

[Nacho]

Weather was k@k Tom morning 15knots, also not lekker!

[John.com]

Ya, agreed, not great!

But with that said, I probably had my finest hour of flying yet!! I got in some really good solo experience flying in windy/cloudy conditions, including four tricky but successful landings back at Aeroden in a 12 knot crosswind!

This is what it looked like from the dam towards Sue's Strip . . . .

[cobra]

Weather was k@k Tom morning 15knots, also not lekker!

the weather man is never spot on

[John.com]

Magaliesberg Weather for the Weekend of 25 - 26 August, 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 is the PIC's responsibility to conduct an independent check of the weather at the point of departure and destination before taking off!

Note: This weather reports is from the Brits area, 10km north of the Hartebeespoort Dam - CHECK the relevance to the area in which YOU plan to fly!


ALL COMMENTS/OPINIONS WELCOME! The weatherman can be wrong!

For the LATEST online information please go to: http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=79714

Firstly, the WEATHER RADAR for South Africa dd. 12.08.23:

Weather Radar courtesy of http://www.weatherphotos.co.za/

Comment: No approaching fronts visible. No cloud currently in our area.


Now, MAGALIEBERG WEATHER (Brits)

Weather - Magaliesberg - 12.08.25-26 - WindGuru - Brits Area 2.jpg (87.67 KiB) Viewed 16381 times

Saturday 25th August - Morning:

Wind: N 3-3 knots increasing to N 9-12 knots later. Note HIGH LEVEL winds as high as 13 knots even in the morning, which will BUMP you over the ridges!!!
Temperatures: 15-29C
Cloud Cover: None

Comments: Very flyable early with conditions worsening slightly later in the morning and into the afternoon. Nice warm weather so watch out for getting bumped around as the morning wears on!

Sunday 26th August - Morning

Wind: S 5-7 knots decreasing to S 1-2 knots later, and turning W later in the afternoon
Temperatures: 14-27C
Cloud Cover: None in morning, with high cloud developing in the late afternoon.

Comments: AWESOME day for flying!!!! Fill those tanks. Remember that a southerly wind means some rotors off the ridges if you are flying to the north of them, so beware IF the wind picks up strength.


CAUTIONARY: None - note comments above.

Weather Flying Tip: Check the weather, then check it again! Oh, and remember this . . . . courtesy of Sky Night (Avcom): "Before every flight we start with a bag full of options. Every time we make a poor decision, we lose one option! Then, when we have no options left, the accident happens! Our options start with our arrival at the airfield, before the plane is even out the hangar” MMMmmmmm . . . . . so taking off in dicey weather means one option is lost!! In fact, not CHECKING the weather before flying is also an option lost!


Safe Skies

John.com

[John.com]

Magaliesberg Weather for the Weekend of 25 - 26 August, 2012

(see full update ABOVE first)

Warmbaths Weather - for those flying in on Saturday!

Here is a sneak peak . . . . . much the same as Magaliesberg, with slightly less winds aloft!

Weather - Warmbaths - 12.08.25-26 - WindGuru 1.jpg (79.42 KiB) Viewed 16381 times

Have fun!

[bobthebuilder]

[John.com]

I flew around Aeroden and up over the northern ridge ar 5pm this afternoon (Thursday) and it was AMAZING!!!!!

I have a feeling that this weekend is going to be awesome flying weather!

Safe Skies

[John.com]

I had a morning flight from Aeroden this morning at 6.30-7.30am . . . . near perfect flying conditions!! There was a time flying along the northern ridge that my trike was 100% 'motionless'!!!

Awesome flying guyz! Woza Weekend!!

[John.com]

Magaliesberg Weather for the Weekend of 25 - 26 August, 2012

(see full update ABOVE first)

Weather Radar Update: 12.08.24 @ 10:45 . . . . still looking good!

Weather Radar courtesy of http://www.weatherphotos.co.za/

Comment: No approaching fronts visible. No cloud currently in our area.

Then, for Saturday 25th, a slight increase in wind speed and gusting mid-to-late afternoon! Max N 10-14 knots at around 2pm, so will give you a push going home, assuming you've flown in from Magalies!

Also on Saturday, Temp = 30C @ 2pm, so expect to get bounced a little, but nothing unflyable!

Weather - Magaliesberg - 12.08.25-26 - WindGuru - Brits Area 3.png (72.61 KiB) Viewed 16291 times

FYI: Warmbaths at 2pm on Saturday is N 7-11 knots with a temp of 31C.

Safe Skies

[John.com]

Magaliesberg Weather for the Weekend of 01 - 02 September, 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 is the PIC's responsibility to conduct an independent check of the weather at the point of departure and destination before taking off!

Note: This weather reports is from the Brits area, 10km north of the Hartebeespoort Dam - CHECK the relevance to the area in which YOU plan to fly!


ALL COMMENTS/OPINIONS WELCOME! The weatherman can be wrong!

For the LATEST online information please go to: http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=79714

So here's a sneak peak . . . . .

What's with the 'double-hump' over the weekend??

It looks like it's early morning or nothing!

[John.com]

Magaliesberg Weather for the Weekend of 1 - 2 September, 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 is the PIC's responsibility to conduct an independent check of the weather at the point of departure and destination before taking off!

Note: This weather reports is from the Brits area, 10km north of the Hartebeespoort Dam - CHECK the relevance to the area in which YOU plan to fly!


ALL COMMENTS/OPINIONS WELCOME! The weatherman can be wrong!

For the LATEST online information please go to: http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=79714

Firstly, the WEATHER RADAR for South Africa dd. 12.08.30 @ 11.00am:

Weather Radar courtesy of http://www.weatherphotos.co.za/

Comment: Fronts - much further south, hence the bad weather next week! Cloud - no cloud


Now, MAGALIEBERG WEATHER (Brits):

I put the full week in to show you the trend for next week: Mornings OK, afternoons NOT GOOD!

Saturday 1st September - Morning:

Wind: W 4-6 knots increasing to SW 11-15 knots later.
High-Level Winds: High wind strengths aloft (refer to charts above)
Temperatures: 13-27C
Cloud Cover: None
Precipitation: None

Comments: Flyable low level early in the morning. Later in the morning, towards midday is risky!

Sunday 2nd September - Morning

Wind: SE 4-5 knots increasing to NNW 9-12 knots later.
High-Level Winds: Yes, but above 7000ft in the morning, getting worse as the day progresses.
Temperatures: 8-24C
Cloud Cover: None
Precipitation: None

Comments: More flyable than Saturday, but the morning (before 10am) is preferable!

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: Midday and afternoons does not look like microlighting weather! Exercise Care!!! WATCH THOSE WINDS ALOFT!!

Weather Flying Tip: Managing Risk: VFR Versus VMC - Are you prepared for when the weather deteriorates? Read more here: http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/profici ... s-vmc.html

Useful Weather Websites:
WindGuru http://www.windguru.cz
Kobus Botha Weather http://www.weatherphotos.co.za
South African Weather http://www.weathersa.co.za