Weather

Understanding the weather for paraglider pilots and free flight pilots

A haboob – a dust-laden gust front – in Tucson, Arizona Photo: Christopher Harris

Gust fronts from afar

One of the dangers from thunderstorms are the extreme downdraughts that spill outward as a gust front. How do we predict them before they hit?
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Cloud streets in the flatlands of Australia. Photo: Tex Beck

How to fly cloud streets in the flatlands

If the conditions are right cloud streets will form over flatlands. Here's a quick guide to how to fly them
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Understanding Heat Lows

Meteorology: Understanding Heat Lows

Meteorologist Honza Rejmanek explains the phenomenon of Heat Lows, which can cause the wind to unexpectedly increase on hot summer afternoons
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Spring paragliding in mountains

Spring thermals: Understanding the bounce

The Spring Bounce is a real thing – Cross Country's resident meteorologist Honza Rejmanek explains what you need to know
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Valley winds around the paragliding site of Le Chabre in the south of France

Valley winds in the South of France

Valley winds explained – Karlis Jaunpetrovics explains how the valley wind systems work in the southern French Alps
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Mac Para Aravis 2500

How to fly thermals in stable conditions

There’s nothing worse than a stable day with weak thermals and lots of turbulence, but Bob Drury explains how to fly in these conditions 
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Flying the Dutch sand dunes in winter

Strong-wind soaring the Dutch sand dunes

Bastienne Wentzel heads to Wijk aan Zee on the Dutch coast to power up the mini wing and finesse her high-wind skills
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Illustration of katabatibc flow in mountains

Understanding katabatic flow

Cross Country’s meteorologist Honza Rejmanek tells us how to read downslope winds – and whether it’s safe to make those end of the day sled rides
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Masterclass: Paragliding XC forecasting secrets with Matthew Scutter

A highly detailed tutorial on forecasting for big XC days! This is a 75 minute lesson with the creator of SkySight Matthew Scutter
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Understanding-the-Sky-new-edition-2022

Understanding the Sky – New Edition

Understanding the Sky has been re-issued in a brand new format. The classic weather book for sport pilots by Dennis Pagen has been updated
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