Carol reports from beutiful downtown Welkom:

Strong winds and dust ahead of a storm passed the airfield last evening and then looked somewhat clearer to the south, but was as black as anything to the north.  Later on in the evening there were some good rains, which were welcome to cool the air, and to water the gardens after the heat of the last few days.  There was also some more thunder, lightning and rain during the early hours of this morning.

However by the time we arose, the skies were clearing and back to blue skies and sunshine.  There are lows now sitting over Namibia and to the SW, and still the moist air moving in from the east coast up and around into Botswana and then flowing down into S.Africa.  A more NW flow is expected so more moisture and storms are likely to the north of Welkom.  Humidity levels are approx. 40% and temperatures 30.9° and dew point 12.1°.  Later in the day winds should become more westerly and some rain is possible, so shut-off could be between 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.  Lift is expected to be about 2 m/sec.

Tomorrow the temperatures are expected to be a little lower with higher humidity.

Gridding today on runway 07 and first launch expected at 12 noon.

Safety issues included a reminder to pilots how to join thermals and not to pull up through a thermal.  

Tasks as follows:

Open/18m.

2 hr. 30 min AAT 187.7 km./438.9 km.  Britten (40 km. radius) – Schuttesdraai (30 km. radius) – Control NW (2 km. radius)

Club:

2 hr. 15 min AAT 139.7 km./391.4 km.  R17 (40 km. radius) - Schuttesdraai (30 km. radius) – Control NW (2 km. radius)