Our summer weather pattern is starting. First picture, taken
at 1300, shows growing cumulus with tops nearing FL25.
Second picture, a T-cell in the area of DrJim’s home, about
1830.
Both pictures taken looking NNW from Greeley, CO.
Third picture shows the sky SSW of Greeley at 1830. Based on
the surface wind in Greeley, there is higher atmospheric pressure in that area.
Since winds move in a clockwise direction around the low side, that T-cell will
be pushed towards Nebraska/Kansas across the High Plains. This will be
accelerated by the winds aloft.
Weld County, which this cell will cross, is #2 in the USA
for tornadoes.
Arriving by air at Denver International can be “exciting” in the afternoon.
Today, the “Albuquerque Low” is on the mild side. When it is strong, the thunderstorms
can be forced against the Front Range, stall, and flood our Foothill canyons.
That is not a place you want to be.
Wise General Aviation pilots know to do their aviating in
the early morning hours.
The professionals, and the Civil Air Patrol, often don’t
have that choice.
10 comments:
And I'm getting better at reading the local forecast and weather radar returns.
Got about .02" of rain today over a 20 minute period. Nice, calm shower, always good in the afternoon.
Looks like the cell that came through is about half-way between you and Fort Morgan.
Only had one bumpy arrival, and one bumpy departure, out of DIA.
My worst was in a commuter from Fargo, ND. At the start the lady sitting next to me was standoffish. By the time we landed she was clinging to me like I was her husband.
Mile High Club, WSF...you old dog!
LL
Not that time, alas.
Yep, gets a 'tad' sporty up in that area with the weather... And throw in the Mountain Wave for 'fun'!
OldNFO
Going eastbound once got caught in a wave. Went from 11,000' to 18,000' very quickly then down to 9,000'. Good news was we were past the Divide headed for 6,000' terrain.
Flying with Dad in the cub could be much the same...
My Dad and I went in together on a Piper J-4. We were very, very careful when and where we flew it off the 6,980' altitude airport we used. Great fun! He upgraded to a C-182.
Had a few flights in a Cub, but never soloed in one. Cool little airplanes!
The J-4 was a side by side. Ours was manufactured in 1939. Had been re-engined to a 75 HP!
Post a Comment