Right Site Weather April 16, 2022

Paragliding Weather Forecast for the Vancouver, Chilliwack, Bellingham, Seattle, Whistler & Pemberton areas, based on data available at 0700.

Transitioning pressure back to low.  Clearing trend early, then progressively clouding in afternoon with 40%-60% POP in mountain areas. 

YVR 3000 ft winds aloft light and variable becoming SW to 15 km/hr. Advanced peak lapse rate -3.1C/1000ft. Mostly cloudy with 40% POP in afternoon in mountain areas. 

SEA 3000 ft winds aloft light and variable becoming SW to 41 km/hr. Valley winds NNE and becoming West to 16 km/hr.  Advanced peak lapse rate -2.8C/1000ft. 60% POP. 

Right Site Ranking: 

Although the day is starting with partly clear skies, expect progressive clouding and 40-60% POP in mountain areas.  Marginal day, paragliding not recommended in Vancouver, Chilliwack, Pemberton, Whistler, Bellingham or Seattle.

Right Site Weather April 9, 2022

Paragliding Weather Forecast for the Vancouver, Chilliwack, Bellingham, Seattle, Whistler & Pemberton areas, based on data available at 0800.

Low pressure to west bringing high lapse rate, fronts, strong west winds, low cloud-base, 40-70% POP, showers to rain and possibility of thunderstorms. 

YVR 3000 ft winds aloft NW to 42 km/hr. Valley wind W 30 km/hr and gusting to 50 km/hr.  XXX peak lapse rate -3.5C/1000ft. 40% POP.

SEA 3000 ft winds aloft light and variable becoming W to 15 km/hr. Valley winds S to 16 km/hr and becoming North.  Advanced peak lapse rate -3.0C/1000ft. 70%POP with risk of thunderstorm. 

Right Site Ranking: 

Paragliding Pilots Advisory:  With high lapse rate, 40-60% POP, strong West winds aloft and gusty valley winds to 50 km/r today:  DO NOT FLY in Pemberton, Whistler, Chilliwack and Vancouver areas. Seattle and Bellingham has 60-70% POP and risk of thunderstorm DO NOT FLY.

Now Taking Bookings for Spring 2022

[Article update. We are already well underway with bookings for our 2022 season, commencing April 2, 2022. We run a quality school teaching in small group sizes and tend to sell out our season early. Booking at your earliest possibility to secure a spot is recommended. If you want to take your first steps towards becoming a paraglider pilot, please contact us here.]

Nearing the start of October, in our seasonal loop around the sun, solar delivery is shorter and brings with it a spectacular show of fall colours.  It also foreshadows the end of student paragliding season in Greater Vancouver, Pemberton, Chilliwack, and Seattle areas. 

Low pressure systems form off the coast and track inland, bringing a significant increase in rain October through March. 

Cold air on the mountains begins to dominate and sink down the mountain sides, creating Katabatic downhill winds.  The shorter days mean the land mass rarely gets a chance to heat up, and so the Land Breeze begins to dominate, creating Northeast, East and Southeast Outflow winds.   Katabatic and Outflow winds combine increasing the amplitude and blowing over the back of our predominately West facing paragliding launches, often creating unsafe, turbulent lee-side conditions. You can read a detailed article on how Outflow and Katabatic winds "Conspire" (here).

As the temperature drops, snowfall makes most of our paragliding 4X4 access roads become impassable at the higher elevations. 

We typically shut Student training courses down for the rainy-outflow season on or before the Thanksgiving weekend of October. 

But not all days are like this in the off-season.  Occasionally the sun comes out and West In-flow and Anabatic winds develop. On those magical days, determined Intermediate and Advanced pilots put on their crampons and/or snowshoes and are treated to beautiful treks into snowy peaks and serene flying.

For the majority of paragliding pilots it is an opportune time to cosy up indoors and review and make equipment adjustments and read up on weather and flying techniques to prepare for the spring and the new season, April through September.

For still others, that have never flown before, a great time to make plans and take action for renewal and taking to the sky in the spring.  

If you want to secure your opportunity to fly with us in 2022,  please contact us here.  

Right Site Paragliding Weather: Sep 19, 2021

Paragliding Weather Forecast for the Vancouver, Chilliwack, Bellingham, Seattle, Whistler & Pemberton area, based on data available at 0800.

Low pressure bringing fronts, low cloud-base, 60-80% POP, heavy rain to thunderstorms. 

YVR 3000 ft winds aloft light and variable becoming WSW to 15 km/hr. Valley wind ESE outflow to 20 km/hr becoming W inflow to 10 km/hr late afternoon.  Advanced peak lapse rate -2.9C/1000ft.

SEA 3000 ft winds aloft WSW to 35 km/hr. Valley winds S to 16 km/hr. Intermediate peak lapse rate -2.5C/1000ft.

Right Site Ranking: 

Paragliding Pilots Advisory:  With 60-80% POP, low cloud base, and possibility of thunderstorm throughout: DO NOT FLY. Paragliding is not recommended today in Vancouver, Chilliwack, Whistler, Pemberton, Bellingham or Seattle. 

Right Site Paragliding Weather: Sep 18, 2021

Paragliding Weather Forecast for the Vancouver, Chilliwack, Bellingham, Seattle, Whistler & Pemberton area, based on data available at 0800.

Low pressure bringing fronts, low cloud-base, 60-70% POP, heavy rain to thunderstorms. 

YVR 3000 ft winds aloft S to 15 km/hr. Valley wind ESE outflow to 20 km/hr becoming W inflow to 10 km/hr late afternoon.  Intermediate peak lapse rate -2.6C/1000ft.

SEA 3000 ft winds aloft SW to 35 km/hr. Valley winds S to 16 km/hr. Intermediate peak lapse rate -2.6C/1000ft.

Right Site Ranking: 

Paragliding Pilots Advisory:  With 60-100% POP, low cloud base, and possiblity of thunderstorm throughout: DO NOT FLY. Paragliding is not recommended today in Vancouver, Chilliwack, Whistler, Pemberton, Bellingham or Seattle.