Batten down the hatches

[TopBunk]

Looks like we have an interesting evening / night ahead in the UK!

Happy to be on the ground .....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONDON HEATHROW - EGLL - LHR
FT: TAF EGLL 071030Z 071812 22020G30KT 9999 BKN020
TEMPO 1803 22025G40KT 9000 BKN014
TEMPO 0307 21032G45KT 3500 RA BKN012 PROB30
TEMPO 0307 21040G58KT
BECMG 0709 25020G30KT
TEMPO 0711 25025G40KT =


LONDON GATWICK - EGKK - LGW
FT: TAF EGKK 071030Z 071812 22020G30KT 9999 BKN020
TEMPO 1803 22025G40KT 9000 BKN009
TEMPO 0307 21032G45KT 3500 RA BKN008 PROB30
TEMPO 0307 21040G58KT
BECMG 0709 25020G30KT
TEMPO 0711 25025G40KT =


MANCHESTER - EGCC - MAN
FT: TAF EGCC 071021Z 071812 18020G30KT 9999 -RA SCT012 BKN025
TEMPO 1804 18025G40KT 5000 RA BKN008
BECMG 0306 26028G40KT NSW SCT025 SCT040
TEMPO 0512 27035G50KT 5000 SHRA SHRAGS BKN015CB=


NEWCASTLE - EGNT - NCL
FT: TAF EGNT 071021Z 071812 18010KT 9999 -RA SCT010 BKN020
TEMPO 1803 4000 RA BKN008
BECMG 2124 19020G30KT
BECMG 0205 25030G45KT NSW SCT025
TEMPO 0612 27035G60KT 8000 SHRA=


GLASGOW - EGPF - GLA
FT: TAF AMD EGPF 070647Z 071206 23012KT 9999 SCT020
TEMPO 1218 22016G27KT 7000 SHRA BKN020
BECMG 1821 VRB08KT 7000 RA BKN018 PROB40
TEMPO 1806 3000 +RA BKN009
BECMG 0003 21025G35KT
BECMG 0306 26034G48KT =


EDINBURGH - EGPH - EDI
FT: TAF EGPH 070351Z 071206 23012KT 9999 SCT025
TEMPO 1218 23016G27KT 7000 SHRA BKN020
BECMG 1821 VRB07KT 7000 RA BKN020
PROB40 TEMPO 1806 3000 +RA BKN012
BECMG 0003 23022G34KT
BECMG 0306 25034G50KT=


Be safe up there!

[editied to change the EDI wxx into the 'preferred' format]

[The Greaser]

Dont forget us poor sods!

EGGW 071030Z 071812 22020G30KT 9999 BKN020 TEMPO 1803 22028G42KT 9000 BKN012 TEMPO 0307 21032G48KT 3500 RA BKN010 PROB30 TEMPO 0307 21042G60KT BECMG 0709 25020G32KT TEMPO 0712 25025G42KT

[TheOddOne]

Top Bunk,

I particularly like the way you've seperated out all the TEMPO, makes assimilating the info much easier.

Why have the Met Office given Luton an extra 2 knots tomorrow morning? Is it 'cos of their elevated position in the world? I'll be Northbound on the M1 past there at about that time; perhaps I'll be able to put the car into neutral and coast up to Northampton!!!

I feel for all those Airfield Ops folk up & down the country dealing with sets of steps on their sides, swivelling a/c that haven't been properly chocked/tied down, containers blowing about etc etc. Get it all faced into wind or tied down NOW!

Cheers,
The Odd One.

[GOLF-INDIA BRAVO]

The OddOne

Put a sail up and a generator in the boot
and your away plus free power

G-I-B

[vlmboy]

Think of me on the fokker 50 into LCY!:uhoh:

[BOBBLEHAT]

Shame BAA have decided to make EGLL RWY 23 no longer available for use at less than 12 months notice.

[ALLDAYDELI]

Batten down the hatches was the advice of the BBC TV wx reporter!
Theres gonna be a few weathercocks weathercocking..

[False Capture]

Good luck vlmboy. LCY can be pretty bumpy when it's windy and then most of the pax leave the a/c looking like this::ugh:

[Notso Fantastic]

Top Bunk- I agree with the comment how much easier to read the weather is in that layout! Should be introduced immediately!

[TheOddOne]

Bobblehat

Shame BAA have decided to make EGLL RWY 23 no longer available for use at less than 12 months notice.

It seems to me that the harder the wind blows in the South-East of England, the further back it goes, thus at 60kt it's often 210 or even 180. The only decent length runway in the SE that caters for this is STN. The rules say that when deciding on the QDM of a new runway, the average wind for xxyears must be taken into account. That might have mattered when all a/c were taildraggers, but ANY commercial a/c could cope with 270/25 on a 210 runway, so in my view, the rules need re-writing.

I contend that any new runway/s in the SE should orientate NNE/SSW, NOT E/W.

Of course, that won't happen 'cos there won't be any greenfield major airport development. The only runway that might qualify will be the parallel at STN. The LHR (and LGW, if it happens) are planned to be parallel with the existing...

Cheers,
The Odd One

[AlanM]

vlmboy...

Good luck into the LCY..... we have had reports (on Thames) of moderate to severe turbulence on departure, and an inbound North West of Detling gave the 3000 feet wind as 254/69.:sad:

At least it is 255 degrees on the deck - though there have been a few go-arounds already because of the gusts.

Good luck!!!!

(Heathrow have been in and out of EAT's this morning due to the 39 or so per hour landing rate (normally 43 or so))

Alan

[TopBunk]

The Odd One

I would tend to agree, but not unreservedly. The majority, but not all, of the windiest days tend to be south westerlies. I recall just about 2 years ago winds at LHR of 55 kts down the runway when runway 23 would not have helped.

Then you have to think about the gusts, which usually results in the wind veering. I would rather land with the wind from the left so that any gusts tend to reduce to crosswind component, rather than increase it, as is the case in a westerly wind landing to the southwest.

We can certainly agree that landing into wind is easier than landing with a limiting crosswind! As such it would be preferable to have runway 23 available again than not - we of course will never see it again at LHR.

Maybe the answer is to have runways aligned 05-23 and 13-31, or then again maybe we need a 3000m floating pontoon the aligns itself into wind?

[airborne_artist]

Maybe the answer is to have runways aligned 05-23 and 13-31, or then again maybe we need a 3000m floating pontoon the aligns itself into wind?

Seaplanes are clearly the long term solution, with no runway build costs!

[callsign Metman]

The Met Office has issued warning of severe weather. Looks like the N England and N Wales will bear the brunt of it......

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/europe/uk/warnings.html


CM

[Capt.Paul Skinback]

Pretty much normal operations down at EGGD!!

[TopBunk]

Updated TAFs ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONDON HEATHROW - EGLL - LHR
FT: EGLL 071630Z 080018 23020G30KT 9999 BKN020
TEMPO 0003 23025G40KT 9000 BKN014
TEMPO 0307 22032G45KT 3500 +RA BKN012
PROB30 TEMPO 0307 22040G58KT
BECMG 0709 26020G33KT
TEMPO 0711 26025G43KT
BECMG 1518 24015KT=


LONDON GATWICK - EGKK - LGW
FT: EGKK 071630Z 080018 23020G30KT 9999 BKN020
TEMPO 0003 23025G40KT 9000 BKN009
TEMPO 0307 22032G45KT 3500 RA BKN008
PROB30 TEMPO 0307 22040G58KT
BECMG 0709 26020G33KT
TEMPO 0711 26025G40KT
BECMG 1518 24012KT=


LONDON LUTON - EGGW - LTN
FT: EGGW 071630Z 080018 23020G30KT 9999 BKN020
TEMPO 0003 23028G42KT 9000 BKN012
TEMPO 0307 22032G48KT 3500 RA BKN010
PROB30 TEMPO 0307 22042G60KT
BECMG 0709 26020G32KT
TEMPO 0715 26025G42KT
BECMG 1518 24017KT=


MANCHESTER - EGCC - MAN
FT: EGCC 071651Z 080018 19025G38KT 7000 -RA SCT010 BKN020
TEMPO 0004 4000 RA BKN008
BECMG 0306 25025G40KT 9999 NSW SCT025
TEMPO 0612 27033G52KT 8000 SHRA
BECMG 1316 25020G30KT=


GLASGOW - EGPF - GLA
FT: TAF EGPF 071744Z 080018 15007KT 7000 RA BKN014
TEMPO 0008 3000 +RA BKN007
BECMG 0408 24018G35KT
PROB40 TEMPO 0618 26034G48KT
BECMG 0609 9999 NSW SCT025
TEMPO 0718 8000 SHRA SCT020CB
PROB40 TEMPO 0718 4000 SHRASN BKN014CB=


EDINBURGH - EGPH - EDI
FT: TAF EGPH 071744Z 080018 14007KT 7000 RA BKN016
TEMPO 0009 3000 +RA BKN008
BECMG 0105 24025G37KT
PROB40 TEMPO 0818 25030G50KT
BECMG 0710 9999 NSW SCT025
PROB40 TEMPO 0818 8000 SHRA PROB30
TEMPO 0818 4000 SHRASN SCT015CB=


ABERDEEN - EGPD - ABZ
FT: EGPD 071619Z 080018 15013KT 9999 -RA BKN015
TEMPO 0010 4500 +RA BKN007
BECMG 0104 09015KT
BECMG 0407 20030G44KT
TEMPO 0710 2000 RASN BKN005
BECMG 0709 30035G50KT
BECMG 0911 25025G35KT=


NEWCASTLE - EGNT - NCL
FT: EGNT 071651Z 080018 19025G40KT 9999 SCT010 BKN020
TEMPO 0003 4000 RA BKN008
BECMG 0205 25035G50KT
TEMPO 0713 27040G65KT
BECMG 1417 25020G30KT=


BIRMINGHAM - EGBB - BHX
FT: EGBB 071601Z 080018 21028G45KT 9999 BKN020
TEMPO 0005 4000 RA BKN012
BECMG 0306 24025G38KT
BECMG 1417 23015G25KT=


LONDON STANSTED - EGSS - STN
FT: EGSS 071630Z 080018 23020G30KT 9999 BKN020
TEMPO 0003 23025G40KT 9000 BKN014
TEMPO 0307 22032G45KT 3500 RA BKN012
PROB30 TEMPO 0307 22040G58KT
BECMG 0709 26020G30KT
TEMPO 0715 26025G40KT
BECMG 1518 24015KT=


.... looks like the Geordies are favourites for biggest wind, but the 220/G58 at LHR might give the biggest crosswind - although I'd rather do that (as long as it's 27L) rather than the same wind at LGW (good 'ole Freddy):ooh:

[Musket90]

I remember well the Oct 14th '87 hurricane in SE England - wind direction SSW. The same applied to Jan 25th 1990 SSW again. Historically Jan seems to be a very windy month so no surprises as to the present weather patterns. So it follows that runway orientation SSW or SW is definitely the best for the UK to deal with these regular atlantic weather patterns.

[Fake Sealion]

On the early morning after the hurricane in Oct 87 I flew British Midland -Teesside - Heathrow on business, because the trains were stopped at Doncaster.

I can recall the spooky site of the M4 being empty ( or near to it) at 0800 ish as we landed and the sight of a windsock.... SHREDDED !!

We used the short NE/SW runway as I recall.

Any tales from aircrews airborne during the more severe phases of the storm??

:ok: FS

ps I am typing this now in NE England......it's getting kinda windy !

[vlmboy]

Just completed 4 sectors between Manchester and London City and interesting to say the least ! A few guys diverted into Stansted and although it was close to limits we managed to get into City....but it wasnt for the faint hearted !

[Pax-man]

Came into MAN about 22:30, and it was, ahem, bumpy!!! Well done to the TCX crew.

[Doors to Automatic]

EMA currently reporting gusts of 50kts almost straight across. I'm glad I'm indoors!!!!

[Billings]

This is from DUB at 0400 :

EIDW 080400Z 23036G51KT 9999 -RA FEW012 SCT018CB BKN035 06/03 Q0986

Currently showing :

EIDW 080700Z 26031G42KT 9999 FEW018CB 04/M00 Q0996 BECMG 27025G40KT SCT018CB

This should make for a nice bumpy ride into Dublin this morning :}

Good luck guys and be safe. :ok:

Cheers!
Paul.

Last edited 07.40 to give more up to date METAR

[UPSAirOps]

Yeah - ATC @ EMA were reporting gusts of 50knots.

Inability to open main cargo door due to high winds meant UPS6754 to PHL has been delayed from 0615Z until 1700Z later today.

[AlanM]

vlmboy....RESPECT!!

Still - I have no doubt that all VLM F50's could land on either end irrespective of wind strength!!! :) ;) (and still do 224kts to 6dme!)

When are you boys and girls going to arrange a visit to the Radar centre then!?!?! (or better still get us on a familiarisation flight!?)

[Jet2]

It's all going east so if you are too hold onto your hats

EHAM 080433Z 081206 25032G50KT 9999 SCT020 BKN030 PROB40 1214 25035G57KT BECMG 1416 26027G40KT BECMG 1618 26022G35KT BECMG 1820 26017KT

EKCH 080440Z 081206 23028G40KT 6000 RA BKN006 BECMG 1214 23040G55KT 9999 NSW SCT020 TEMPO 1406 6000 SHRA BKN012 SCT020CB BECMG 0002 25022G35KT

[Electric Sky]

UPSAirOps

Was that 50kts around 5.30am by any chance? It was strong enough to set off numerous car alarms in my neighbourhood and wake me from my slumber :mad:

ES ;)

[scroggs]

Landed at LHR at 0520-ish this morning. Quite turbulent!

[parkfell]

Whilst these conditions may be regarded as infrequent south of 55 degrees North, they are not uncommon north of the border.

To quote an old saying "Scottish sigmet no. xx valid until March"

:cool:

[Hobo]

Fake Sealion, I operated a 737 into EGJJ in Oct 87 around 2pm after the hurricane had gone through, the wind was westerly still gusting around 55-60 kts. (I think they had had a gust over 125kts during the night.) The sea was completely, I mean completely, white and on the approach to 27 we were looking directly down into the rooms of houses which were missing roofs. It wasn't too bumpy as I remember, no worse than 35kts from the SW at EGKK say.

[vlmboy]

Alan M , thanks for the weather info for LCY yesterday afternoon, It was rough and even our aircraft VLV suffered a punctured tyre on the last landing into LCY. MAN pax returned on the LPL flight , aircraft AOG until spares flown in from Antwerp this morning.....and sure we could come to some arrangement
regarding fam flight!

[narcisuslpl]

Due to high winds at LPL last night VLM F50 OO-VLX jumped chocks circled and hit in a GPU..... Nose cone has hole big enough to put your hand in and the radar stuff in side is Knackered. LPLLCY pax bussed to MAN to do sector.

Easyjet cancelled all (I think) departures this morning from LPL... A sea of pax queing to change/refund flights at the desk and at the check-in's

Oh yeah and a big section of the perimeter fence blew down... but security were there watchin out whilst it was being fixed!!!

All staff doin a crackin job to keep all the pax informed with regular announcements and updates.

[THOMPSONFLY]

I can safely say that last night was the worst flying conditions I have ever encountered.

We arrived at LGW with plenty of fuel due to the forecast wind. Commenced our appr following Ezy who eventually went around. Wind at 2000ft was in excess of 70kts at times. Very hard to read the instruments fluctations of +15 to -10 kts. At 140ft above, got Windshear warning and did a low level go around. Climbed straight ahead to 3000 and given a radar heading for our downwind. Maintaining 3000ft downwind, had a tail of in excess of 75kts and a g/s just shy of 300kts. We then encountered a severe downdraft of about 700/800fpm which the autopilot dealt with very well. We then started thinking about EGSS and got the plates out in case.

Commenced our second approach and once again asked to do 160 til 4d. Which I thought was not that safe due to the conditions. Speed all over the place +10,-10 all the way down to a safe landing.

Please demolish those hangers!!

[B Fraser]

Thanks to all ATC staff who were informing crews about windshear last night. Losing 20kts in the blink of an eye at 500 feet was interesting :uhoh:

[vlmboy]

I have to say it was the worst flying conditions I had flown in during my 11 years as cabin crew:( . Well done Thomson Fly.

[STANDTO]

Bunch of pussies!

over 100 kts over Snaefell last night, and our police radio net has failed inthe north!"

[STANDTO]

have a look at the dublin damage thread

[G-SP0T]

Been watching from our ops office all day looked like interesting flying! does anyone know how many flights went around? i noticed to or three er4's make 3+ approaches before getting down!

[Capt. Horrendous]

The only thing flying in the IOM this morning was my garden shed and next door's roof tiles:

EGNS 080650Z 28045G65KT

EGNS 080620Z 28042G55KT

EGNS 080550Z 26057G76KT

EGNS 080520Z 25055G75KT

A breezy one yessir.

[Stand 22]

Hearing that the Air Atlantique/bmi ATR42 in LBA also jumped chocks and was spun around.

[Leodis]

A pilot last night was asked on the RT

Controller>did you encounter any windshear?

Pilot>ha ha ha ha!

Controller>I take it that was a yes then?

Pilot>lets put it one way, it was rather sporty!!:{

[STANDTO]

Capt H.

I believe a Mr Collister of PSM has a spare shed which turned up in his garden this morning.

I went for a drive round this afternoon - its like Beirut! I was watching what I thought was lightning at 0530 this morning. It was actually the power lines into the next street arcing.

Bad enough on the ground. Mother has just got into Barcelona after a scheduled dept with EZY from LPL this morning at 0530 ish.
She can't get her next leg to MAH until 0700.

However, worse things happen at sea:

FISHER GERMAN BIGHT
WEST OR NORTHWEST STORM 10 TOHURRICANE 12 GRADUALLY BACKING
SOUTHWEST 6 TO GALE 8. SHOWERS. MODERATE OR GOOD

[Somedaymaybe]

Dear All,

Before we get started on the negative replies i must state that this is purely a well intentioned post!

Rumour has it that an Air wales ATR42 was blown over in the early hours of the 08th jan in high winds at CWL, the aircraft was parked on stand and is beleived to have been hit so hard that it toppled onto its side.

Damage is not yet known, can anyone please fill in the blanks on what actually happened?

SDM :ok:

[CWL_Pontypridd]

I haven't heard anything as of yet, I guess that if this is true they will have to get in an aircraft to cover operations..

There is some news of them taking them on a few extra ATR's


Regards,

Chris

[Hand Shandy]

one wing did look pretty close to the ground due to the overnight parking arrangements but the aircraft were then positioned into wind with no damage. This is a fairly common occurence with high wing ac particularly the shorts 360`s and it`s not unheard of for a tip scrape on the atr .

[UPSAirOps]

Electric Six - last time we checked with ATC would've been about 0430/0500 so around that time yeah.

By 0530 the decision had been made that our flight was going nowhere...

[PAXboy]

My mother lives in Castletown - about five miles from IOM. They were told that it was storm force 10 and that Ronaldsway had clocked the wind at 93mph.

Certainly the worst that she has encountered in her 25 years on the island.

[Daysleeper]

so if we ignore the tops of scottish/welsh mountains, Any ideas what the UK + Ireland record for the highest windspeed on a civilised location is.

[Big Tudor]

Daysleeper,

I guess civilised rules out Stornoway which recorded 120mph (IIRC) just before the anometer was blown over the cliff.

[Flip Flop Flyer]

60 gusting 100 kts in Western Denmark yesterday, 5 people died from falling trees and other debris. 70.000 people lost power, and some here moaning about not being able to land at planned destination.

[ironbutt57]

applicable TAF would be..."more of the same unless it changes" ;)

[STANDTO]

PaxBoy

Castletown is ON the isle of man, not five miles from it

- unless of course, the weather was that bad that a big chunk blew off. As long as it took Janet's Corner with it I don't see to big a problem.


I am, of course, just jesting. I knew what you meant!

:p

[SR71]

Good luck into the LCY..... we have had reports (on Thames) of moderate to severe turbulence on departure, and an inbound North West of Detling gave the 3000 feet wind as 254/69

31/01/04
TAF EGFF 310431Z 311206 25025G40KT 9999 BKN025 TEMPO 1206 5000 RA SCT010 BKN014 1521 27038G65

We landed (my girlfriend had to go around twice trying to get into EGGD the same day) but the wind at 500ft was > 80kts!

It was an interesting month.

On 11/01/04 we had FU reported on the TAF and a waterspout showed up the Severn Estuary about a mile from my house. Wind was 28028G50 that day.

:ok:

[StressFree]

Standto,
I think Paxboy meant 5 miles from the IOM VOR, which I once heard called "ten mike" by an American pilot........

:cool:

[Jeffrey S]

Came back from FAO to EGCC yesterday @ 1410. Really turbulent all the way down from Liverpool. Winds 40kts Gusting. The worst turbulence I've witnessed for ages.

:} :\

[PAXboy]

Thanks chaps ;) I used 'IOM' as I have no idea what it's E-letters are. I can never remember which is ICAO and which is the other. So I just use the three letter codes that us humble pax know.

Certainly some of the GAs and 1900s and even ATPs at Ronaldsway must have been feeling skittish.

I gather that the TV aerial companies think that it's Christmas all over again!

--------------------
"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

[crazypilot]

FYI PAXboy,

3-letter codes = IATA eg LHR
4-letter codes = ICAO eg EGLL

Cheers

CP

[LoeyDaFrog]

I remember arriving at work (one of the hangers that used to occupy the southside of MCR) one day after a 'bit of a hooley' to see the B747 that had been impounded for not paying it's bills seemed to have moved. Being the good little ops type that I (still) am, i phoned up the Ops Mgr and told him so. Yeah yeah yeah was the soryt of response, followed about three hours later by a 'thanks for that, sorry I was a bit rude' as said B747 had indeed been pushed back onto the grass by about 25 feet.
Mother nature, never ceases to amaze and humble.

[viking737]

Anyone's company ops specs have any max wind limits?
Mine says max wind for landing 5o kts unless it is an emergency.

[STANDTO]

I'd say it is an emergency if the option is being stuck up there all night

[Johnny F@rt Pants]

Surprised nobody has mentioned Leeds, at least almost all the airports mentioned have runways in the general direction of the south westerly gales. Leeds has R/W 32/14, so it's absolutely dead across the runway, and there's the hills and dales just to add to the turbulence factor. The whole week has been crosswind gusting over 35kts, but we get used to that at Leeds, but yesterday was a belter, nothing moved till well after lunchtime. What a day for a colleague of mine to be doing his line check for his command upgrade!!!:rolleyes:

[Irish Steve]

Well, supposedly weather like this is not that common.

How come there's another installment arriving tomorrow.

Just seen the Irish forecast, the isobars are so close together over Northern Ireland, they're almost touching each other, and the centre pressure is predicted to be below 960.

As I think someone said a few days ago.

"batten down the hatches", and anything else that can move!

[UKpaxman]

Pretty grim over in Sweden as well...


http://www.jengajam.com/r/Sweden-Storm-Damage

[2A]

...and Ireland. This morning from Irish Met Office -
Severe Weather Warning
Stormy weather expected on Tuesday. South to southwest winds will reach speeds of 30 to 40 mph in the morning, with gusts of 50 to 70 mph. They will become west to southwest in direction during the afternoon and evening, and reach speeds of 45 to 55 mph with gusts of 80 to 100 mph in exposed parts of the West and North. Elsewhere gusts of 70 to 80 mph can be expected There is also a risk of coastal flooding in the Northwest on Tuesday and Tuesday night due to the extremely strong onshore winds. Valid 0600 11/01/05 to 0600

[ALLDAYDELI]

To echo that the BBC issued simialr warnings for tonight cautioning a VERY severe storm, massive in size, about to pound most of Northern Ireland, Western Scotland and Northern England with get this 90-100mph winds to be expected.
Southern areas not expected to get away lightly either with VERY strong winds elsewhere but the worst parts highlighted above.

Looks a very messy for tonight.

Take care out there and secure those steps, GPUs and baggage carts. Mind the wind doesnt catch that cargo door as well.

[Stan Sted]

Here's the current UK Shipping Forecast

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast/shipping/

Plenty of Storm 10s around with some rising to Hurricane 12.

.

[Evening Star]

Any ideas what the UK + Ireland record for the highest windspeed on a civilised location is.

See TORRO (http://www.torro.org.uk/TORRO/britwxextremes/summary.php) summary. Answer appears to be Fraserburgh (Grampian) on 13 February 1989, with a windspeed of 142 mph :ouch:. Whether you view Fraserburgh as a civilised location is up to you.

Was pax on SN2193 into NCL on Sunday. Approach was rather entertaining and all hell seemed to break loose as we crossed the perimeter fence. Lots of respect to the guys at the front, couple of bounces on landing felt like a pretty good result in those circumstances.

[TopBunk]

LONDON HEATHROW - EGLL - LHR
FT: TAF EGLL 111027Z 111812 21020G37KT 9999 SCT025
BECMG 1821 24017G27KT
TEMPO 1820 4500 RADZ BKN008=


LONDON GATWICK - EGKK - LGW
FT: TAF EGKK 111027Z 111812 21024G40KT 9999 SCT025
BECMG 1821 24017G28KT
TEMPO 1820 4500 RADZ BKN008=


LONDON LUTON - EGGW - LTN
FT: TAF EGGW 111027Z 111812 21025G42KT 4500 RADZ BKN008
BECMG 1821 24017G30KT 9999 NSW SCT025
PROB40 TEMPO 2106 24022G42KT =


MANCHESTER - EGCC - MAN
FT: TAF EGCC 110930Z 111812 23022G35KT 9999 SCT025
PROB30 TEMPO 0110 24025G45KT 7000 SHRAGS BKN020CB=


GLASGOW - EGPF - GLA
FT: TAF EGPF 111039Z 111812 22025G40KT 9999 SCT020
TEMPO 1812 23035G50KT 7000 SHRA RA BKN015CB=


EDINBURGH - EGPH - EDI
FT: TAF EGPH 111039Z 111812 22025G40KT 9999 SCT025
TEMPO 1812 24035G50KT 7000 SHRA RA BKN020CB=


ABERDEEN - EGPD - ABZ
FT: TAF EGPD 111010Z 111812 16027G45KT 9999 SCT018 BKN040
PROB40 TEMPO 1812 8000 SHRA BKN014
BECMG 2124 22040G65KT
BECMG 0912 25030G50KT =


NEWCASTLE - EGNT - NCL
FT: TAF EGNT 110930Z 111812 23022G35KT 9999 SCT025
BECMG 1922 24028G45KT
PROB30 TEMPO 2212 25034G55KT 7000 SHRAGS BKN020CB=

Should prove 'interesting' at Aberdeen on 16 (or 34)

[brabazon]

Have you got the forecasts for Stornoway or other more northerly airports in Scotland?

[nighthopper]

Lets not forget Horan International!

EIKN 111200Z 111322 22035G60KT 9999 SCT018
TEMPO 1422 24040G70KT 5000 -SHRAGS SCT010 BKN016CB

[TopBunk]

Brabazon ... just for you ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STORNOWAY - EGPO - SYY
FC: EGPO 111252Z 111319 18025G40KT 9999 SCT015 BKN025
TEMPO 1316 19030G55KT 5000 SHRA RA BKN015CB=

FT: TAF EGPO 101600Z 110018 22012KT 9999 SCT030
TEMPO 0004 23022G34KT 7000 -SHRA BKN022CB
BECMG 0609 17024G40KT 6000 -RA BKN016
TEMPO 0614 3000 +RA BKN010
BECMG 1215 16032G50KT SCT020
TEMPO 1418 6000 SHRA BKN014
BECMG 1518 17040G68KT 7000 RA BKN016=

SUMBURGH - EGPB - LSI
FC: EGPB 111206Z 111320 17020G37KT 9999 FEW022
TEMPO 1320 8000 RA BKN012
BECMG 1518 16032G48KT=

FT: No recent bulletins for EGPB


BENBECULA - EGPL - BEB
FC: EGPL 111207Z 111318 16030G45KT 9999 SCT020 BKN030
TEMPO 1318 16040G55KT 5000 SHRA RA BKN015CB=

FT: No recent bulletins for EGPL

WICK - EGPC - WIC
FC: EGPC 111206Z 111319 16018G34KT 9999 FEW020 BKN040
TEMPO 1317 5000 RA BKN007
BECMG 1417 17028G45KT=

FT: No recent bulletins for EGPC

[Bottom Feeder]

Am I the only one looking at this thread and thinking 'Get a Life'!!

I mean, wow, the wind at Heathrow is going to be 20kts gusting 37, and it's 60 degrees off. Whoopee Doo! Is this rumours and news, nope didn't think so, how about setting up a weather anoraks corners instead??

Or maybe I should get a life for looking at this thread in the first place, and then being bothered to reply. Who knows!

To save everyones time, the UK Metars and Tafs can be obtained from amongst other places, the Met Office Aviation website and it's free to register:
Met Office (http://www.metoffice.com/aviation/)

Latest TAF from My Backside International:

MY BACKSIDE INTERNATIONAL EGGY:

111330Z 111509 16022G34KT 5000 FEWCLINGONS SCTDEWBERRYS BECMG 1518 -FOLLOWTHRUS 20030G45KT BECMG 2124 23035G50KT TEMPO 0009 +FOLLOWTHRUS 24045G65KT :D

[duchy]

I am interested and that doesnt make me an anorak !!! Have you looked at the satellite picture just out to the west of scotland ( which is where I live ). There is a vicious ' eye ' and its heading our way. My teenage son will be embarking on a two hour train journey late this afternoon.........so I AM interested, not from an aviation point of view but from a concerned mother's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ManofMan]

Bottom Feeder.....

It aint rumours or news, but there again it aint being posted in rumours or news!!!, its being posted in Spotters corner where the spotters read.

Quick pointer for you.

40 kts + Rain + 60 degrees off the runway heading = DIVERSIONS.

So to summerise the planes that were to operate into say Liverpool might not be able to due to the weather, meaning that Birmingham for instance might get some flights that normally operate into Liverpool, this is where the spotters come into things and why such things are posted in spotters corner.

So to answer your question to the get-a-life quandry.......YES.

[Best foot forward]

Will the wind be strong enough to blow Aberdeen away.:O

[brabazon]

Not sure if it should have been moved from R&N since the current and imminent severe weather conditions in the north and west of the UK are causing major problems - even deaths on the roads - and it is a main NEWS story. Oh well looks like it's only going to be of interest to "spotters" now....

[TopBunk]

I started this thread (and the previous one - which is still in R&N!) as I considered it newsworthy and current. I see no reason why it should have been moved to this section, and certainly consider it justifies a place in Rumours and NEWS than quite a few other postings - I'm with Brabazon.

As a thought, which do you think will have a greater aitrime this evening on the news bulletins, this storm (one of the worst for over a decade) or the Easyjet rumour?

[Metman]

Always thought that weather was of great operational importance to you flying types, especially more extreme weather which is likely to cause all manner of operational problems at a majority of airfields across the country. Never met a pilot who wasn't interested in the weather, never met a spotter who has ANY interest in the weather... So the question is, were those who were complaining spotters or pilots? :rolleyes:

As has already been mentioned, its also newsworthy. So what are the bets that you've just moved this thread, only for a whole crop of them to appear overnight and tomorrow....

[UKpaxman]

Regards the highest windspeed, 177mph see below..

http://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/sites/s/saxa_vord/

There were further gusts in the same area of 160 mph recorded in 1991 (I think) on New Years Eve. A couple of birdwatchers who wanted to be the first names in the vistors book for the New Year were killed when the bird watching chalet they were sleeping in was subsequently blown over a cliff edge......

Perhaps 'civilised' is pushing it a bit here...

[Gugaflot]

It's a bit draughty up here, a 25kg bag of coal just blew over.
The lights are flickering too, so I think it's possibly getting just too tasty to stay online...

EGPO 111650Z 19048G67KT 8000 -SHRA FEW012 FEW018CB BKN035 07/03 Q0967

Doesn't surprise me in the least.

Wish us luck!

[NWSRG]

Just flew GLA - BFS with Easy. Departed 23 into strong headwind like the proverbial bat out of hell. Astounding rate of climb.

Arrival at Aldergrove 'interesting' to say the least. Rocking and rolling the whole way in.

One question...the approach into Aldergrove was done on a low flap setting (I was sat just behind the wing), and seemed to be pretty fast. Any comments on this technique?

[Kestrel_909]

During a 737's final for 25 at BFS this afternoon, couple of wind checks:


240@20kts
240@30kts
240@48kts
240@40kts
240@58kts

58kts is the highest I've heard at BFS today though my aerials are rock solid on the gable:E

NWSRG,
Idea that springs to mind is with such strong 'head' winds of between 30 and 50kts, groundspeed at touch down is going to be much less than the 'usual.'
With windshear around, perhaps flying well above VREF and a lower flap setting, is handling not better with a lower flap setting in gusty conditions.

Anyway, over to the experts to answer :cool:

[NWSRG]

Kestrel,

Thanks for that...sounds reasonable, but groundspeed still seemed high though.

Any idea if the 'Palmair' 732 and Aer Lingus 733 on the apron were diversions?

[Kestrel_909]

OO never heard those, had some earlier in the week including an EI 737. but surely should have left by now.

Could have diverted today due to the obvious but I'm not sure.

[Jet2]

Bit breezy up north!!

BENBECULA EGPL 111820Z AUTO 20064G86KT 1600 -RA SCT010 SCT014 06/04 Q0961 RERA

(86KT = 99mph)

[Gugaflot]

Mains power back on after a mere 40 min blackout, phone lines OK throughout. The ATC lads on shift tell me they can't get home tonight, latest they had was surface wind 21061G81kt.

Hope the roof holds out, it's making unprecedented noises. The
double-glazing is bending to "Hall of Mirrors" levels too.

I'm told it'll get worse before it gets better. That's nice.

Guga.

[Jordan D]

Can someone give me guidance on how (as a non-pilot) I can read those weather descriptions.

Jordan

[NWSRG]

For the wind bit...

21061G81 is 61 knots at 210 degrees, gusting to 81.

[TopBunk]

Jordan,

Taking the following as an example

ABERDEEN - EGPD - ABZ
FT: TAF EGPD 111010Z 111812 16027G45KT 9999 SCT018 BKN040
PROB40 TEMPO 1812 8000 SHRA BKN014
BECMG 2124 22040G65KT
BECMG 0912 25030G50KT =


TAF=aerodrome forecast
EGPD = code for Aberdeen
111010Z = forecast made 0n 11th (today) at 1010Z 10:10GMT time
111812 = forecast for period 11th Jan 18(00)GMT until 12(00) GMT next day
16027G45KT= wind direction 160 degrees (South East) at 27knots gusting to 45 kts [add 15% to convert to mph]
9999 = visibility 9999metres (or more) = good
SCT018 = scattered cloud at 1600 ft above the ground
BKN040 = broken cloud at 4000ft
PROB40 TEMPO 1812= 40% chance of temporarily between 1800 and 1200GMT of:
8000 SHRA BKN014 = 8000metres via in showers of rain, with broken cloud at 1400ft
BECMG 2124 = changing between 2100 and 2400 gmt to:
22040G65KT = 220 degrees 40kts gusting to 65kts (about 80mph) etc

Hope that helps

[Jet2]

Guga

Are you in Benbecula? Sounds like a wild one. Can't ever remember seeing a METAR like this:

BENBECULA EGPL 112150Z AUTO 22061G89KT 0800 -SHRA FEW007 SCT010 04/03 Q0971

89kts is 102mph :ooh:

Hope everyone is safe indoors up there tonight. Low pressure system seems to be moving away though as pressure has gone up 10 mb in 3hrs 30min.

[barry lloyd]

All this going on, and what do we get on the ITN Evening News? Two minutes of bad a weather video from California showing a landslide! Who gives flying f*ck? Are they showing our bad weather on channels in CA? Silly Question!
The wind was so bad in Carlisle that it blew over the broadcasting equipment, and the reporter had to make a report over the telephone! Very little has been said on the national news about conditions up north - situation normal I suppose!
Good luck to all of you caught in the worst of this - let's hope it's the last one for a long time.

[ALLDAYDELI]

talking about TV-news reports like that, ITV tonight interviewed a electric board emergency team on standby in Northern Ireland.. The power company's Landrover and 4x4 Unimog were blowing around side to side and looked like they were about to flip over, anytime.

All quiet on the western front tonight at EGLL if its any consolation. A few high but very light clouds, good vis and only a very gentle breeze here. 2300z.

[WestWind1950]

@barry lloyd

the German news brought footage of Scotland AND California! did YOUR news bring reports about Scandinavia and the North Sea where ferries had to be canceled? I doubt it :mad: ours did!

It's unimportant who reports what ....it depends are what news the stations get. I wouldn't emphasize it so much.

Westy

P.S. why is this thread no longer in R&N? It for sure doesn't belong by the spotters!! (and soon it'll belong in JB I believe :E )

[BOAC]

Well, I don't know who moved it here, but it is not really that significant for a spot on R&N. Strong winds are part of life in aviation (and will be more so, I feel) and this thread is really of more interest to 'spotters' than to professional pilots who just get on with it without too much public whimpering.

Yes the winds are strong, but, no, they are not unusual. There are those of us who operated in the 2 'hurricanes' that we had in the SE of England, and I have no doubt that some of those METARS which appear to cause such shock in some of our community would be looked an as nice days by some in some parts of the world.

Typing this in KEF where 30 gusting 50 is by no means unusual, and if the wind speed exceeds the limit for the passenger airbridge (65 knots, I believe) we go and have a cup of coffee and wait until we can board.:D

Passengers should be reassured that we can and do operate safely in strong winds.

Out of interest, what is the highest wind speed (and crosswind) you can have on MS Flt Sim?

[Kestrel_909]

Out of interest, what is the highest wind speed (and crosswind) you can have on MS Flt Sim?

You can set it to 200kts gusting to 220kts at the very most.
Ever done 150kts backwards in a Cessna?:E

[BOAC]

Ta Kes - no, but have been in a Chipmunk doing 7 kts backwards.......................

[GOLF-INDIA BRAVO]

Remember going to Coltishall once and been shown how the nav system worked on a Jaguar by putting a fictious wind of 450Kts in, flew all round East Anglia without moving

G-I-B

[GrahamK]

Pretty windy in the Carlisle area yesterday and today. Anyone know the actual windspeeds at CAX/EGNC?

[barry lloyd]

Westy,

The North Sea Ferries were mentioned. Nothing about Scandinavia, though. The point is that news programmes are meant to inform, but I'm well aware that all that went down the pan years ago, unless it concerns a 'celebrity' getting married/divorced/pregnant or whatever.
This afternoon on ITV we got 30 seconds of somewhere in Scotland (taken at night, so you couldn't see anything!), and yet another two minutes of the (same) landslide. I think that qualifies as biased reporting, and yes I have made representations!

[Gugaflot]

Jet2 Nope, not PL but somewhere North of there.

Anybody seen my central heating oil tank? I'm sure it was still there when I went to bed. It's a bit chilly without it.

Guga

[barry lloyd]

Graham K

I should think windspeeds are fairly irrelevant. The last I heard (yesterday pm), was that EGNC was closed due waterlogging/flooding. Don't know if the waters have receded today...

Have just heard that EGNC is (and has been) operational - mostly \'copter flying. Previous report about it being closed was erroneous - winds gusted up to 72knots yesterday, but more or less down the runway. City is still under water, and biscuit factory (one of biggest local employers), is about to close, putting 1500 out of work.

[GrahamK]

Aye was in Carlisle yesterday. Seen that an RAF Chopper was sitiing in one of the only dry places in Rickerby Park.

[Jordan D]

Top Bunk

Many thanks for your help in debriefing the weather.

Jordan