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The pilot who requested this forecast wanted to fly from Wick to Cumbernauld. His preferred route was to be via Inverness, although as an alternate he could route via Aberdeen.
All requests are different, so whether your delivering an aeroplane across the Atlantic, heading off to France for the day or simply doing a few local circuits, we can build the forecast specific to you.
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**PLEASE NOTE THIS FORECAST IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY. YOU MUST CONSULT FORMS 214/215 & RELEVANT METARS AND TAFS BEFORE FLIGHT.**
Issued: 1700 Friday 23rd June 2006
Duty forecaster: Simon Keeling
Forecast for flight from Wick to Cumbernauld at ~6pm Friday 23rd June 2006:
Situation:
An occluded front is approaching the western coasts of Scotland at 6pm,moving steadily eastwards. The radar picture at present showers the rain into northwest Scotland, moving east. Satellite confirms cloud affecting much of Scotland although thinning in the east.
Winds:
SFC: Variable, mainly 160/04kt becmg 240/08kt at Cumbernauld
2000FT: 240/12kt becmg 250/20kt over Grampians, 240/15kt over Cumbernauld
Visibility:
20-25km at Wick but becmg 8km in any rain and then 6km after 7pm. Cumbernauld viz will be generally 10-20km but it is likely to be deteriorating as the fron approaches and rain sets in, down to 7km in any rain here. If you head on the western route viz may reduce to 3000m in lpaces in rain.
Cloud:
~3000ft at Wick but then 2000ft in rain, covering mountains of Grampian. If routing
If you head on the western route then you should expect bases below 1000ft in rain and hill fog.
Heading east should give more respectable bases of 2500ft, occasionally 2000ft.
Arriving at Cumbernauld bases could get down to 1200ft in rain or possibly lower.
Advice:
Of the two routes, the eastern one via Aberdeen certainly looks like being the best. Cloud bases should be mroe respectable here, keeping you away from the front, with the visibility also better. Cumbernauld is likely to be damp on landing.
SATELLITE 1530GMT
RADAR 1530 GMT
