You don't need to be a meteorologist to command a useful understanding
of weather. But a basic understanding is critical to you long term
enjoyment, even survival, as a powered paraglider pilot. This Chapter
covers how you can use information that's readily available, including
your basic observations, to determine whether flight will be fun or
fearful.
Our craft is among the slowest and most susceptible to small
changes in weather. Staying clear of fronts, large forecast wind shifts,
convective activity, rotors and thermals will spare much grief. This
information is dedicated to that end.
Mid-day flying
If you're ever tempted to take on mid-day flying consider what these two pilots experienced in the video
below. It grants appreciation of Mother Nature's forces at play and how
they don't always play nice.
Fly within the first couple and last couple hours of the day when
winds are light to
avoid most of this risk.
A dust devil, spawned by the day's thermal activity, came up the
hill. This shows why even being hooked into a paraglider during mid-day
turbulence increases risk. These same phenomena occur in non-dusty
places, you just can't see them as well or at all.
by Eve Clarke
Cumulonimbus clouds beget natures most violent
convulsions. Treat them like hungry lions, stay well away from their
very wide striking range.
