Right Site Weather Apr 20, 2024

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

Transitioning pressure to low with progressively clouding of skies, increasing chance of precipitation in late afternoon in mountain areas, and possibility of front arrival with high gust winds, strong lapse rate and over-development. 

YVR 3000 ft winds aloft ESE to 37 km/hr becoming WSW to 26 km/hr.  Vancouver Valley wind E to 20 gusting to 40 km/hr becoming SW 40 gusting to 60 km/hr. Chilliwack Valley wind NW 20 gusting to 40 km/hr, becoming SW 30 gusting to 50 km/hr. XXX Peak Lapse Rate at -3.8C/1000ft. 

SEA 3000 ft winds aloft SSE to 33 km/hr becoming SE gusting to 46 km/hr.  Valley winds NNE gusting to 26 km/hr becoming WSW gusting to 40 km/hr. XXX Peak Lapse Rate at -3.5C/1000ft. 

iParaglide Right Site Ranking:

Today's forecast looks un-safe for paragliding today with the proximity of jet stream, arrival of low early afternoon, XXX lapse rate, forecast for gusty winds exceeding 40 km/hr throughout and possibility of over-development:  PARAGLIDING PILOT'S ADVISORY: DO NOT FLY in Vancouver, Chilliwack, Pemberton, Bellingham and Seattle areas today. 

Book Now for 2024 Paragliding

(Article Update Feb 2024. We are already well underway with bookings for our 2024 season, commencing April 1, 2024. 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 2024,  please contact us here.  

Paragliding Right Site Weather Sep 10, 2023

Paragliding Weather Forecast for the Vancouver, Chilliwack, Bellingham, Seattle, Whistler & Pemberton area, based on data available at 0600.

High pressure with mostly sunny skies with haze in Chilliwack.

YVR 3000 ft winds aloft SE to 26 km/hr becoming WSW to 9 km/hr.  Vancouver Valley wind E to 10 km/hr becoming W to 10 km/hr mid-day. 

SEA 3000 ft winds aloft SW to 22 km/hr.  Valley winds SW to 15 km/hr. 

iParaglide Right Site Ranking:

1. Paragliding Pemberton: -2.5C/1000ft Intermediate peak lapse rate, actual lapse rate reduced due to haze. Mt. Mckenzie for P2 pilots 1000-1900. Chances to paraglide 90%.  

2. Paragliding Chilliwack: -2.1C/1000ft Novice peak lapse rate, haze will reduce actual lapse rate. Wait for SE winds aloft to subside and become SW.  Woodside for P2 pilots 1000-1900. Bridal for P2 pilots 1300-1900. Paragliding chances 90%. 

3. Paragliding Whistler: -3.0C/1000ft Advanced peak lapse rate, actual lapse rate reduced due to haze. Whistler for Whistler team P4 pilots 0900-1900.  Chances to paraglide 90%. 

4. Paragliding Vancouver: -1.4C/1000ft Novice peak lapse rate.  Grouse for GMFT 1100-1900 for P3 to P4 pilots. Chances for paragliding 90%.

5. Paragliding Seattle: -2.2C/1000ft Novice peak lapse rate.  Tiger for P2 pilots 0900-1900. Prospects for paraglidng 90%. 

6. Paragliding Bellingham: -2.0C/1000ft Novice peak lapse rate.  Blanchard for P2 pilots 0900-1900. Chances to paraglide 90%. 

Paragliding Right Site Weather Sep 9, 2023

Paragliding Weather Forecast for the Vancouver, Chilliwack, Bellingham, Seattle, Whistler & Pemberton area, based on data available at 0600.

High pressure with mostly sunny skies with haze in Chilliwack.

YVR 3000 ft winds aloft light and variable becoming SE to 15 km/hr. Vancouver Valley wind E to 10 km/hr becoming W to 10 km/hr mid-day. 

SEA 3000 ft winds aloft SE to 15 km/hr becoming E.  Valley winds NW to 10 km/hr. 

iParaglide Right Site Ranking: 

1. Paragliding Pemberton: -2.8C/1000ft Advanced peak lapse rate, actual lapse rate reduced due to haze. Mt. Mckenzie for P2 pilots 0900-1400 and 1700-1900 with P3 conditions at peak 1400-1700. Chances to paraglide 90%.  

2. Paragliding Chilliwack: -2.6C/1000ft Intermediate peak lapse rate, haze will reduce actual lapse rate. Wait for outflow to subside.  Woodside for P2 pilots 1000-1900 with possible P3 conditions at peak. Bridal for P2 pilots 1200-1900 with possible P3 conditions at peak. Paragliding chances 90%. 

3. Paragliding Vancouver: -1.8C/1000ft Novice peak lapse rate.  Grouse for GMFT 1300-1900 for P3 to P4 pilots. Chances for paragliding 90%.

4. Paragliding Whistler: -3.3C/1000ft Advanced peak lapse rate, actual lapse rate reduced due to haze. Whistler for Whistler team P4 pilots 0900-1900.  Chances to paraglide 90%. 

5. Paragliding Bellingham: -1.9C/1000ft Novice peak lapse rate.  Blanchard for P2 pilots 0900-1900. Chances to paraglide 90%. 

6. Paragliding Seattle: -2.2C/1000ft Novice peak lapse rate.  East wind aloft placing tiger in light lee side. Paragliding not recommended today.

Paragliding Right Site Weather Sep 2, 2023

Paragliding Weather Forecast for the Vancouver, Chilliwack, Bellingham, Seattle, Whistler & Pemberton area, based on data available at 0600.

High pressure with mostly sunny skies with haze in most areas and light smoke in Chilliwack.

YVR 3000 ft winds aloft light and variable. Vancouver Valley wind NW to 20 km/hr becoming W to 10 km/hr mid-day.  Chilliwack Valley wind lNE to 35 km/hr becoming West to 10 km/hr mid afternoon. 

SEA 3000 ft winds aloft light and variable becoming SW to 13 km/hr mid day. Valley winds NW to 10 km/hr. 

iParaglide Right Site Ranking: 

1. Paragliding Pemberton: -2.9C/1000ft Advanced peak lapse rate, actual lapse rate reduced due to smoke. Mt. Mckenzie for P2 pilots 0900-1400 and 1700-1900 with P3 conditions at peak 1400-1700. Chances to paraglide 90%.  

2. Paragliding Chilliwack: -2.3C/1000ft Novice peak lapse rate, smoke will reduce actual lapse rate. Wait for outflow to subside.  Woodside for P2 pilots 100-1900. Bridal for P2 pilots 1200-1900 Paragliding chances 90%. 

3. Paragliding Whistler: -3.1C/1000ft Advanced peak lapse rate, actual lapse rate reduced due to smoke. Whistler for Whistler team P4 pilots 0900-1900.  Chances to paraglide 90%. 

4. Paragliding Seattle: -2.2C/1000ft Novice peak lapse rate.  Tiger for P2 pilots 0800-1900. 90% chances for paragliding. 

5. Paragliding Vancouver: -1.7C/1000ft Novice peak lapse rate.  Grouse for GMFT 1300-1900 for P3 to P4 pilots. Chances for paragliding 90%.

6. Paragliding Bellingham: -1.9C/1000ft Novice peak lapse rate.  Blanchard for P2 pilots 0900-1900. Chances to paraglide 90%.