Woollybacks F3F 2014

Hi All

Sorry for the late post but I have been away with the family for two days.

Okay it looks like it could be quite marginal tomorrow,  especially  after midday. What wind there is would now suggest the Wrecker.

I will be going up and will aim to get there by 09:30 am and will take the gear with me. If there are enough likeminded bodies we can set up a course and have a competition if not then we can just have some fun sport fly. I know it's late but if a few people want to confirm they want a competition I can l post later to help the other make a decision if anyone wants to travel or not.

I have to be honest I have been up there a couple of time in the last few months with a very similar forecast and not managed to fly!

There are a couple of guys coming over who what to fly some combat but have promised to keep out of our way if we run a comp. So it might be worth putting a fomie in the car just in case we can't get a comp but can have some combat fun with them.

Hopefully I will see tomorrow and all the best

Andrzej

Sunday 28th December

A widespread frost at first, with any early freezing fog patches of low cloud slow to clear. It will be a dry day with generally light winds and plenty of sunny spells. It will be cold and walkers should be prepared for the conditions.

Visibility

Generally excellent, but very poor in any fog or hill fog.

Hill Fog

Broken patches possible above 600m, gradually clearing.

Max wind above 400m

Northeasterly 20mph at first, easing to variable 5-10mph.

Temperature

Valleys:

Minus 2 Celsius, becoming plus 6 Celsius.

800m:

Minus 1 Celsius.

Freezing level:

700m, but possibly remaining below freezing all day in sheltered valleys.

Recent Rainfall

Woollybacks 2014

Well if it was a league event I would be probably be calling it off for a lack of wind, bizarre in December!

Most forecasts are indicating Wrecker or VR98 slope, but the wind could be marginal for F3F. However this is the Woollybacks and the reason for a social gathering after the Christmas binge so I will post an update tomorrow on two counts. Firstly there is snow in the air and there is an outside chance that the road could be closed, secondly the wind speed could get worse but let's face it if there is a chance to get out and fly we should.

All the best

Andrzej

Second Round of the SWSA F3F is OFF But There is the Woollybacks

Hi All

I am afraid to say the improvement in the weather forecast I was hoping for hasn't appeared and if anything a few more forecast have the rain coming in earlier so the competition tomorrow is off.

However, it is that time of year for the Welsh Woollybacks F3F and next Sunday looks like a prime candidate for the day.

So if by next weekend if you just feel you can't face another Turkey sandwich or Mince Pie and you want to blow a few cobwebs out and stretch your legs with some like minded Nutters on the slopes of South Wales, you will be all welcome.   As tradition would have it I will make a weather call Friday/Saturday (festive pressure, I might not be in a fit state Friday)!

That just leaves me to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and see you all soon

Andrzej

Round Two of F3F Winter League weather call on hold

Hi All

Hmmmm.... It's one those calls you just really don't know what to do! I have visited quite a few  weather sites and  they are all giving rain, but coming in at a different times of day. Some are suggesting it being in as early as 10:00 am, with a chance of a break in the afternoon and some suggesting mid to late afternoon.

Mild moist air coming in from the South West this time of year usually means clag on the westerly slopes on the Bwlch. That said if it clear with the wind speeds predicted it could be quite good on Mickey's. May be the bigger question is that will it stay clear for us to get three rounds in?

If I was pushed to make a decision right now I don't think we will get enough to get three rounds and would call it off, but with quite a bit of a contradiction between the various weather site I suggest we hold and I will make a call by midday tomorrow. Hopefully by then will have a clearer pictures.

All the best

Andrzej

Mountain Weather forecast - Brecon Beacons National Park

Sunday 21st December

Cloud will quickly increase from the west with patchy rain or drizzle affecting the range through the early hours. Wind and rain will gradually increase throughout the day, rain becoming persistent and heavy at times. Cloud bases will gradually lower through the day, with widespread hill fog expected in the afternoon, especially for western slopes.

Visibility

Good, becoming moderate in rain, poor in heavy rain or drizzle and very poor in hill fog.

Hill Fog

Cloud bases gradually lowering to 300m through the afternoon, particularly across western facing slopes.

Max wind above 400m

Westerly 30-35mph, increasing 45-55mph.

Temperature

Valleys:

Plus 4 Celsius, becoming plus 11 Celsius.

800m:

Plus 3 Celsius increasing plus 5 Celsius.

Freezing level:

Above the summits.

Issued at: 1548 on Fri 19 Dec 2014

Round two SWSA Winter League

Hi All

Sorry for the lat post but I have been tied up with work for the last 10 days. This Sunday 21 December (the shortest day) will be the second round of the SWSA F3F winter league. I will make a call Friday if the competition is on and if so more details of meeting times.

If I can have entries by Saturday I would be grateful as it helps with or organising the flying order and get things running on the day. However, if you wake up Sunday morning and decide at the last minute you want to fly you will more than welcome, but you might find yourself early in the flying order!

If you are thinking about having a go in F3F the winter league is a great place to start, it's all pretty informal and don't worry if you haven't got the latest state of the art carbon fibre dream machine to have a go.  Sure it nice to have but it is more important that you have a go at standing in the centre of a course and trying to fly a kilometre as fast as you can with what ever plane you have got.  Better to find out flying a foamie that F3F is for you than spending thousands only to find out you have made an expensive mistake!   

Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday

Andrzej