5 tips to avoid storms in paragliding

[@haukeplambeck]

6. When it climbs too good almost everywhere and at places where it should not at a particular time (west facing slopes in the morning) then something can be wrong too. At the end of August the weather was 'très orageux' in the Haute-Savoie and bordering Switzerland. So the flying days were short as overdevelopment happened every day between 1pm and 4pm. When in the air instead of looking for climbing air one starts to look for sinking air and blue areas. At one point it was climbing with 3 to 4m/s on north west facing ridge so early in the day that intuition rang all alarm bells: something is wrong! Heading for the landing field was the only logic option. About 40min after landing the first raindrops fell. Thunderstorms can develop so fast when instability, high humidity and sun work together. Very good points 1. to 5. 👍

[@joannadigrigoli]

Good 6th advice! I also apply this, when one starts climbing effortlessly, there's definitely something wrong! I had never thought about when you're climbing too well on a west face in the morning, I'll keep that in mind! Good call on landing on time 💪🏼

[@parahoping]

I'm the same. Check and recheck forecasts, I check it again before the take-off and observe the environment before deciding to launch. Sometimes it is a mental challenge to say no, when you really want to get into the air, and this is your only day you can do it in a while etc. etc. I've realized that: "It's better to fly tomorrow than to crash and hurt yourself / your equipment today". And there will be other good flying days.

[@joannadigrigoli]

That's the right attitude! 👊🏻 I agree with you, it's hard to say no, but I think saying no from time to time, makes us stronger. Thanks for watching!

[@JohnnyByeYm]

Good stuff Joanna, this is pretty much spot on. 👍 I'd like to add that forecasts have actually despite climate change become better and more accurate and the problem comes when people misinterpret these forecasts. When it comes to isolated thunderstorms, the exact timing and place can never be predicted. A more accurate forecast in this sense only means the probablity is more accurately given, but it remains a probability and these types of isolated thunderstorms need to be judged with real time weather data and just general observation and a sense of being careful when the possibility it predicted. You are right that #1 and #2 are no contradictions, you just phrased it as one. Nice rhetorical twist.

[@dimitriskoutsogiorgas6432]

well done!

[@stuartcobbledick9033]

Thank you Joanna, great points to consider before you launch your glider

[@javiercm7727]

Joanna, ¡muchas gracias. Excelente vídeo y consejos como siempre! ¿podrías hacer una versión de este vídeo en español? Muchísima gente de todo el mundo te lo agradecerá. Si vienes por Madrid-Guadalajara te invitamos a conocer nuestras zonas de vuelo, cervezas aseguradas ;) Un abrazo

[@joannadigrigoli]

Hola Javier Me alegro que te haya gustado el video. Acabo de subir los subtítulos en español, que lo disfrutes! Te tomo la palabra para cuando vaya a tu zona de vuelo ;)

[@javiercm7727]

Que crack ;) GRACIAS. Cuando quieras por aquí estaremos.

[@cabanford]

Nice video Joanna. Hi from Zermatt (Chris)

[@joannadigrigoli]

Hi Chris!

[@RunningInTheRain]

Looks like your Instagram link in profile are invalid.

[@joannadigrigoli]

Hi! Thanks for letting me know. I've just updated it.