Flight Planning

1. Look first at the surface charts which show weather fronts and pressure areas. In general, avoid the vicinity of fronts.
2. You can then consult the significant weather chart for the planned period, where you see indications of low stratus, layer clouds or thunderstorms, for example.
3. The gust map is likewise a "must"
4. Next you should look at the wind fields, which provide details about wind direction and speed.
5. The surface inversion map indicates when surface inversions form or disperse.
6. The satellite picture is an almost real-time, true picture from outer space. It reveals fog and low stratus cover or other cloud cover which may be different to the model forecasts. You won't want to miss this analysis when planning balloon flights early in the morning.