Skydiving Weather Guide: How Wind, Rain & Clouds Affect Your Jump

Key Takeaways 
Wind, low clouds, rain, and extreme cold can all impact whether a dropzone can safely operate – wind that’s too strong or gusty may ground jumps, clouds that are too close can shut things down, and rain will suspend operations. While cold weather can often be managed with proper layers, sometimes temperatures are simply too low to jump. A “weather hold” is when a dropzone temporarily pauses jumping to wait out unfavorable conditions.

Weather is arguably one of the most important factors we consider when planning to skydive – it determines a lot! Wind, rain, clouds, temperature and fog (visibility) are all parts of skydiving weather we familiarize ourselves with before deciding to take the leap. 

Why does weather matter so much? Safety! Skydivers put safety at the tip-top of every decision we make. There are certain weather conditions that can prevent us from having a safety-first jump, and that’s something we don’t take lightly. 

What Weather Is Good For Skydiving? 

Blue skies, light winds and moderate temps! The weather gods are often working in our favor, but sometimes they get testy, and that’s when the wind, rain, and clouds tend to keep us ground-bound. Here’s a deeper look into how each of these affect skydiving.

Wind: Skydiver’s Enemy 

A little bit of wind is good, but too much can make flying a parachute much trickier than it needs to be. We get that extra wind can be bad, but what’s too windy to cancel a skydive? It really just depends! The biggest factor when it comes to wind isn’t necessarily strength or speed, but consistency. What do we mean by this? Gusts! 

What is a wind gust? Wind gusts are fluctuations in speed. This variability can create potentially dangerous situations. When skydivers evaluate the wind before jumping, they’re checking out the wind speed, direction, and gust spread. 

For example, wind speeds that are 7 mph to 12 mph (5 mph spread) are optimal for many jumpers, but something like 10 mph (pretty good!) to 20 mph (swift, but generally okay), creates a 10 mph gust, which is typically not conducive for skydiving. 

The Difference: Ground Winds vs. Uppers 

Wind speed on the ground matters for landing, while upper speed matters for freefall and parachute flying. Skydivers use aviation technology to evaluate the winds all the way up to the altitude they’re going to exit from.

The uppers primarily refers to the wind speed and direction that skydivers experience while in freefall, and somewhat under their parachute (although this is often lumped into referencing wind speed on the ground.) 

Can You Skydive Through A Cloud? Visibility Rules  

While wind speed may be a bit more case-by-case, clouds are always a no-go. Not only is skydiving through clouds dangerous, it’s illegal. Why is it illegal to skydive through a cloud? It’s the law! But really, it’s illegal because it adds a totally unnecessary risk factor. Clouds make it difficult to see.  

Many people ask, “Can I skydive if it’s cloudy?” And the answer is … maybe. If clouds break any of the visibility rules mentioned above, then no, but if there are clouds peppered throughout the sky that won’t inhibit your jump, then sure! 

What about fog? Fog has the same implications that typical clouds do, but it’s closer to the ground, making it more dangerous. The skydive landing is arguably the most important part of the jump, and it is absolutely critical that visibility on the ground is 20:20. 

Can You Skydive In The Rain? 

What weather can you not skydive in? RAIN! Skydiving in the rain would hurt, produce minimal visibility, and potentially impact your gear. Parachutes are intricately designed … but they aren’t made with soaring through raindrops in mind. Skydiving in the rain would not only be painful (think about sticking your arm out the window while driving down the highway in the rain – ouch!), but dangerous, and it’s just not something we do. 

Temperatures: How Cold Is Too Cold For Skydiving? 

Temperatures drop about 3.57°F for every 1,000 feet of altitude gained. This means that if it’s a brisk 45°F on the ground, it will be approximately 9°F at exit altitude! Bundling up and wearing warm layers, neck buffs, gloves, and helmets all help with the chill of the wind, but sometimes it’s just too cold to jump! 

Jumping in the summer? Heat brings its own challenges – check out our guide on what to wear skydiving in hot weather for tips on staying comfortable at altitude.

There isn’t any set-in-stone temperature where skydiving is prohibited. Again, it’s all about safety. If people don’t feel that they could execute a skydive safely due to the extremely cold (or hot) temperatures, jumping would be postponed. 

What Is A Weather Hold? 

A weather hold in skydiving is when the dropzone pauses operations to wait for unfavorable weather to pass. Weather holds can last 30 minutes, or multiple hours. Many dropzones take weather holds as an opportunity to pour knowledge and wisdom into jumpers waiting it out on the ground. It presents the perfect chance to ask questions, learn about gear, and get to know other first-time or seasoned jumpers. 

In the event of a cancelled jumping day due to weather, you have one year to use your skydive! 

When Is The Best Time Of Day To Skydive? 

The best time of day to skydive is really up to you! Mornings and evenings generally have lighter winds, with midday tending to be more turbulent. Midday is also the busiest at many dropzones, and the vibes make the experience! Some people prefer calmer, cooler mornings, while others live for the midday hustle and bustle, with the slightly higher chance of more inclement weather. 

Are you ready to send it across our beautiful, blue Carolina sky? Book your skydive today!