“Airworks
Weather for Flying

“local



Call our weather line on (01323)811770 after 8pm to check the next day’s start time and forecast

Checking Yourself - You must still call the weatherline!

Here are a few good weather links to help you see what you think we will say:

Thank you for booking your paragliding course with us. Please call (01323) 811770 after 20:00 on the evening before you are booked in to check the start time and whether the forecast weather is appropriate. Sorry, but we cannot tell with any precision any earlier unless the forecast is diabolical.

Please do not call the office outside of office hours if you don¹t believe the weather message! It is based on the best data available and our decision is made for your safety and convenience. We cancel incorrectly on less than two days a year and that is always because the forecasts got it wrong.

Do not try to second guess us as you may miss your day or turn up to find nobody here!

Fingers crossed for the weather and don¹t be surprised if we have to have an early start.

You can watch a simplified version of the weather forecast here. Typically we need 7kt or less for training purposes in the summer months.

https://www.windfinder.com/weatherforecast/kingston_lewes

Additionally,

This shows most variables well:

http://app.stratus.org.uk/blip/dayview.php?region=Saturday&tp=RIN

http://app.stratus.org.uk/blip/dayview.php?region=Sunday&tp=RIN

http://app.stratus.org.uk/blip/dayview.php?region=Monday&tp=RIN

http://app.stratus.org.uk/blip/dayview.php?region=Tuesday&tp=RIN

http://app.stratus.org.uk/blip/dayview.php?region=Wednesday&tp=RIN

http://app.stratus.org.uk/blip/dayview.php?region=Thursday&tp=RIN

http://app.stratus.org.uk/blip/dayview.php?region=Friday&tp=RIN

Red/orange here is no good:

http://rasp.stratus.org.uk/app/viewer/

Development is clear here:

https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/forecast/air/lewes_united-kingdom_26445 59

This shows most variables:

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/cgi-bin/expertcharts?LANG=en&MENU=0000000000& CONT=ukuk&MODELL=gfs&MODELLTYP=1&BASE=-&VAR=is10&HH=138&ARCHIV=0&ZOOM=0&PERI OD=&WMO=

Unless the weather message alters the start time or meeting place we meet at Glynde village car park at 09:00 then travel to the day's flying site.

On arrival at the site you will be allocated a glider. We will then show you how to perform a parachute landing roll, how to perform a daily inspection of your equipment and how to launch, steer and land. All this usually takes us up to lunchtime.

We may head to a café for lunch, but more more typically we are skipping a real lunch break so do bring a packed lunch and plenty of water.

After lunch we aim to start you flying, starting with low hops just a few feet above the ground and steadily increasing the altitude of your flights as your confidence and competence improve.

In the summertime we may be forced to stop flying during the middle of the day because it can become very turbulent and therefore we may continue late into the evening.

You will want to wear ankle supporting boots and layered windproof outdoor clothing that you don¹t mind getting covered in mud or something less mentionable (there are a lot of cows, sheep, llama and alpaca on the South Downs!)

When is the best time of year to come?

Climate change is really making itself felt, with all of Europe suffering weather since January 2022 which has been pretty much the hottest, wettest and windiest since records began.
That said, the teachable times of year haven't changed much, it is just that fewer days within each month are tending to offer good weather.
Climate change notwithstanding, here is our best attempt at an annual forecast:

  • January, February and March - When it is good, it is very good. Typically the most productive time of year to learn, though we can start to get strong sea breezes later in March.

  • April - Can be good, but often wet & windy.

  • May - Odd days can be good, but often windy. Strong (rough) thermals not uncommon.

  • June - Hot! Fairly flyable, say 75%. Long periods in the middle of the day can be too rough/windy to teach. Days often run into the evening and/or we have to start early.

  • July - Fairly flyable, say 50% for the first 3 weeks. Long periods in the middle of the day can be too rough/windy to teach. Days often run into the evening and/or we have to start early.

  • August - Predominantly too rough and windy to teach safely.

  • September - Can be the nicest month of all. Warm, but not too thermic (rough) with moderating sea breezes. Equinoctical storms typically start towards the end of the month.

  • October - Wet and windy. Come to the Himalaya with us!

  • November - When it is good, it is very good. However, the October rains can often persist into early December.

  • December - When it is good, it is very good. Typically entering the most productive time of year to learn.

    • See you soon!