With more snow forecast on the route for tomorrow (Tuesday 31 May), we have been receiving calls about the anticipated race temperature.
Answer : "Don't know at this stage, but likely to be cold to very cold."
It's usually the day after snowfalls when the real chill sets in. And the chill is aggravated should there be a breeze - wind chill. Wind chill is the felt air temperature on exposed skin due to wind. It's the effect of wind on air temperature. Wind chill does not drop the actual temperature, it describes how one feels in the wind at ambient temperature. The prevailing wind direction on 'top' is right into the runner's face - wind coming over snow equals darn cold conditions.
An example based on the forecast temperatures and wind speeds for this week.
On Wednesday (1 June 2011) temperature in late morning on the top section of the route is forecast to be minus 10 C, and forecast is for a gentle breeze of only 4m/sec.
That gentle breeze has the effect of taking the temperature down to something in the region of minus 16 C.
Should the wind speed increase to a fresh breeze of 12m/sec the temperature drops to something like minus 20 C.
These past 5 years there has been little or no wind on top on race day. But it can come up and results in bitter conditions - just ask the flag team what it was like flagging Hooggenoeg Ridge in a howling wind in 2008, and the old timers will recall the effect of strong wind 'on top' in past years.
Always a good idea to layer your First Ascent kit; if you warm up in the shelter of the kloof don't discard clothing; look after your Liberty Medical Scheme Rhodes Trail Run Buff® (that will be in your registration pack); keep your gloves handy.
Fly fisherman on Bell River, Rhodes, with Rhodeskop in background (May 2011)
Image : Tony Kietzman
Answer : "Don't know at this stage, but likely to be cold to very cold."
It's usually the day after snowfalls when the real chill sets in. And the chill is aggravated should there be a breeze - wind chill. Wind chill is the felt air temperature on exposed skin due to wind. It's the effect of wind on air temperature. Wind chill does not drop the actual temperature, it describes how one feels in the wind at ambient temperature. The prevailing wind direction on 'top' is right into the runner's face - wind coming over snow equals darn cold conditions.
An example based on the forecast temperatures and wind speeds for this week.
On Wednesday (1 June 2011) temperature in late morning on the top section of the route is forecast to be minus 10 C, and forecast is for a gentle breeze of only 4m/sec.
That gentle breeze has the effect of taking the temperature down to something in the region of minus 16 C.
Should the wind speed increase to a fresh breeze of 12m/sec the temperature drops to something like minus 20 C.
These past 5 years there has been little or no wind on top on race day. But it can come up and results in bitter conditions - just ask the flag team what it was like flagging Hooggenoeg Ridge in a howling wind in 2008, and the old timers will recall the effect of strong wind 'on top' in past years.
Always a good idea to layer your First Ascent kit; if you warm up in the shelter of the kloof don't discard clothing; look after your Liberty Medical Scheme Rhodes Trail Run Buff® (that will be in your registration pack); keep your gloves handy.
Fly fisherman on Bell River, Rhodes, with Rhodeskop in background (May 2011)
Image : Tony Kietzman
