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Weather prediction question.

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:19 am
by Stephan van Tonder
Hi Guys - I'm sure it has been asked before but I just can't get a simple definite answer and perhaps there isn't one but help me out please. This friday morning I am doing a x-country - plan is Petit, Pinedene corridor, Harties, Aviator's paradise, Brits, Rust de winter dam, Cullinan - Petit. Take off time will be 06:30 and time taken max 3 hours( might stop for breakfast at aviator's)
Now I have looked at some 5 day weather forecasts and some predict rain - others 30% thunderstorms(which I assume is afternoon weather?) etc. Now on Friday morning at 05:00 I want to get up and know the weather 3 hours ahead and current. What is the easiest fastest way of getting a reasonably accurate prediction for the next 3 hours across that area and the current situation?. Weather SA TAF and Metars? or is there somewhere I can phone. It just doesn't seem simple cut and dried.

Re: Weather prediction question.

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:49 am
by Wargames
Try these as well:

http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/vaal_dam
http://www.myweather.co.za

Weathersa Taf and metars is accurate as well. Just remember that the metar is a report of current weather at time of report. Check for speci for notable change in weather. Taf will give you a forecast, with tempo % of change for specific hours, so you would get a accurate discription of weather for period. Also see spot graph of winds at certain flight levels.

Good luck.

PS: Just go and fly the conditions, if you are happy with them.

Re: Weather prediction question.

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:18 pm
by Massimo

Re: Weather prediction question.

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 7:05 pm
by Stephan van Tonder
thanks guys. Massimo thanks that is a nice site - gives a breakdown every couple of hours which is what I was looking for.

Re: Weather prediction question.

Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 6:57 am
by Jimbo
Someone once asked a meteorologist "Where do you guys get this '75% chance of rain' stuff from?"

Meterologist replied "Well, there's 4 of us working here at the station, and 1 of us disagrees"

(!!)

But that is a great site, thanks. Did you notice the Remember this page link at the top right- you can automatically go to your town next time you open the site.

Re: Weather prediction question.

Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:05 am
by RV4ker (RIP)
rudi has a nice Cell friendly link on his page as well...

www.rudigreyling.ocm/wx

Re: Weather prediction question.

Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:06 am
by John Boucher
http://www.weatherphotos.co.za/araition.html

I use the above site. If you are serious about wind, then look at the pigeon racing link to determine low level wind velocities. Lekker to use in an AIR RACE.....

Rudi's site is also comprehensive....

Re: Weather prediction question.

Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:20 pm
by RudiGreyling
RV4ker wrote:rudi has a nice Cell friendly link on his page as well...

http://www.rudigreyling.ocm/wx
what is an .ocm ??? :P
here is the correct link... http://www.RudiGreyling.com/wx

I talked to stephan yesterday, just to help him a bit around the internet patch.

Groete
Rudi

Re: Weather prediction question.

Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:37 pm
by John Boucher
Seems George has a slight case of dyslexia or the message from the brain got tangled up to the fingers... (**)

Rudi, had a look at you RV7 at EAA Bloem - that is some very neat work done there! The guys were seriously complimenting the finished product! (^^)

Re: Weather prediction question.

Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:05 pm
by kevinbark
Bad Nav wrote:Seems George has a slight case of dyslexia or the message from the brain got tangled up to the fingers... (**)

Rudi, had a look at you RV7a at EAA Bloem - that is some very neat work done there! The guys were seriously complimenting the finished product! (^^)
Agreed, its a beauty, and thanks for the picture Rudi, should be on the shelf by next Thurs!


Actually wanted to ask : what do you charge for building one? :lol:

I wouldnt fly in anything I built...but I do looove the RV7

Re: Weather prediction question.

Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 6:52 pm
by John Boucher
Check that skin work..... not a bloody wrinkle to be seen! Bloody marvellous!

Re: Weather prediction question.

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 11:45 am
by RudiGreyling
Bad Nav wrote:<SNIP>
Rudi, had a look at you RV7 at EAA Bloem - that is some very neat work done there! The guys were seriously complimenting the finished product! (^^)
Hi John, thanks for your kind words, next time introduce yourself !

Re: Weather prediction question.

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 11:49 am
by RudiGreyling
kevinbark wrote: Actually wanted to ask : what do you charge for building one? :lol: I wouldnt fly in anything I built...but I do looove the RV7
Hi Kevin, Sorry man it is a labour of love that is why it came out that way! I am not into the building for customer game yet. Currently I am looking forward to the next one...a RV12. The wing kit arrived yesterday...will post pictures soon here: http://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=37050

Maybe I should move my RV12 build thread from avcom here to microlighters, cause I think more MPL pilots want to upgrade to SPL, then PPL pilots down grade to SPL. :twisted: So maybe there would be more interest here then on avcom ???

Re: Weather prediction question.

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 12:00 pm
by AndyG
can't you post on both Rudi. I see you have a huge group following the post on Avcom, me for one.