Paragliding is as much a science as it is a thrill. While the view from the wing is priceless, the decisive factor that separates a smooth flight from a dangerous one is wind . Knowing the direction, speed, shear, and turbulence --- and having that information at your fingertips the moment you launch --- can make every outing safer and more enjoyable.
In recent years a handful of smartphone apps have stepped up to the challenge, providing pilots with hyper‑local, real‑time wind data, sophisticated visualisations, and alerts tailored for free‑flight. Below is a curated look at the most reliable tools currently available, along with what sets each one apart and any trade‑offs you should be aware of.
Windy (Windy.com)
Why it's a favorite
- Global coverage -- Over 200 000 weather stations, satellites, and model outputs feed into a single interface.
- Layered visualisations -- Switch between wind barbs, streamlines, and animated arrows with just a tap.
- Real‑time updates -- Data refreshes every 5 minutes for the most recent observations.
Key features for paragliders
| Feature | How it helps you |
|---|---|
| Wind profile at multiple altitudes | See the wind speed/direction from ground level up to 6 km, crucial for assessing lift and glide‑ratio at your launch altitude. |
| Thermal index overlay | Highlights potential rising air pockets, aiding launch site selection. |
| Customisable alerts | Set thresholds (e.g., gusts > 30 km/h) and receive push notifications. |
| Offline maps | Download a region in advance---useful when cellular coverage is spotty on remote hills. |
Pros & Cons
Pros -- Intuitive UI, excellent map quality, broad model selection (ECMWF, GFS, ICON).
Cons -- Free version shows ads; some advanced layers require a subscription.
UFO -- Paragliding Weather
Why it's built for pilots
Developed by a community of European pilots, UFO focuses on the parameters that matter most for soaring: wind, thermals, and cloud cover.
Core functionalities
- Live wind forecasts at 10‑ and 30‑minute intervals for specific launch sites.
- Shear detection -- visualises sudden changes in wind direction/speed between altitude bands.
- Launch‑site radar -- overlays of recent precipitation and cloud base heights.
- Community reports -- real‑time pilot inputs on local conditions (e.g., unexpected turbulence).
Pros & Cons
Pros -- High‑resolution local models, strong community integration, lightweight app.
Cons -- Limited coverage outside Europe (though expanding), occasional lag on older devices.
Paragliding Forecast (by VFR Pilot)
The "pilot‑centric" approach
While many weather apps are generic, Paragliding Forecast tailors its output to the flight‑planning workflow of a paraglider.
What stands out
- "Launch window" calculator -- combines wind, temperature, and solar radiation to suggest the safest launch periods.
- Thermal strength estimator -- predicts the average updraft potential for a given day.
- Wind‑shear map -- colour‑coded gradients make it easy to spot problematic layers.
Pros & Cons
Pros -- Seamless integration with flight‑logging tools, excellent for pre‑flight planning.
Cons -- Real‑time data relies on third‑party APIs; occasional mismatches in wind direction at micro‑scales.
AviationWeather (Aviation Weather Center)
When you need aviation‑grade precision
AviationWeather pulls directly from official METAR and TAF feeds, giving you the same data pilots of commercial aircraft trust.
Paragliding‑specific benefits
- Surface wind observations are taken from the nearest airport or airstrip, often within a few kilometres of popular launch sites.
- Gust and turbulence reports -- flagged directly in the raw METAR strings.
- Custom altitude filters -- query wind at any flight level, from 300 ft up to 10 000 ft.
Pros & Cons
Pros -- Authoritative data source, no subscription required.
Cons -- Less visual; you'll need to interpret raw numbers or combine with a map overlay app.
MeteoBlue -- Weather Forecast
The high‑resolution model specialist
MeteoBlue offers access to some of the most detailed deterministic models (e.g., COSMO‑D2 with 2 km resolution).
Highlights for paragliders
- 3‑hourly wind vectors at 10‑ and 30‑meter heights---perfect for matching the typical flight envelope of a paraglider.
- Dynamic visualisation -- animated wind fields that can be scrubbed forward or backward in time.
- Layer stacking -- combine wind with cloud base, precipitation, and pressure to get a full atmospheric picture.
Pros & Cons
Pros -- Unmatched spatial resolution in many mountain regions, robust forecasting engine.
Cons -- Interface is geared toward meteorologists; learning curve is steeper.
X‑Thermal -- Real‑Time Thermal & Wind Tracker
The newest entrant
X‑Thermal focuses on on‑the‑fly data acquisition, using the phone's built‑in barometer and GPS to infer local thermal activity.
Unique selling points
- Live thermal detection -- registers temperature rises as you glide, giving you a visual cue of rising air parcels.
- Instant wind vector -- combines GPS ground speed with barometric altitude changes to calculate wind speed & direction in real time.
- Overlay on any map -- you can import custom topographic or satellite maps for precise localisation.
Pros & Cons
Pros -- Real‑time, pilot‑generated data; low battery consumption.
Cons -- Still in beta; accuracy improves with more user data, so early adopters may experience occasional spikes.
How to Choose the Right App for You
| Situation | Recommended App(s) | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Pre‑flight planning on a laptop or tablet | Windy, Paragliding Forecast | Rich visual layers & launch‑window calculators |
| On‑site launch with limited connectivity | Windy (offline maps), X‑Thermal | Offline capability & live sensor data |
| Flying in Europe with strong community insights | UFO -- Paragliding Weather | Community reports & localized models |
| Need the most authoritative surface wind data | AviationWeather | Direct METAR/TAF feeds |
| Require high‑resolution mountain wind fields | MeteoBlue | 2 km model resolution for complex terrain |
| Want a real‑time, sensor‑driven wind/thermal readout | X‑Thermal | Uses phone sensors for on‑the‑fly calculations |
Practical tips for integrating apps into your routine
- Pre‑flight checklist -- Open your primary wind‑analysis app 30 minutes before you head to the launch site and set your alert thresholds (e.g., gust > 25 km/h, shear > 15 km/h over 300 m).
- Cross‑reference -- Compare at least two sources (e.g., Windy + local METAR) to catch discrepancies; modeling errors can be significant in steep valleys.
- Save custom locations -- Most apps let you bookmark launch sites; doing this saves time and prevents you from selecting the wrong point on the map.
- Battery management -- Real‑time GPS and sensor use drain power quickly. Pair the app with a power bank or use low‑power mode when you're not actively checking updates.
- Post‑flight feedback -- If the app includes community reporting (UFO, X‑Thermal), contribute your observations. The crowd‑sourced data improves accuracy for everyone.
Final Thoughts
Real‑time wind analysis is no longer a luxury reserved for seasoned pilots with personal weather stations. The combination of high‑resolution numerical models, live sensor data, and community reporting means that a reliable, pocket‑sized weather analyst is available to anyone with a smartphone.
Choosing the best app is a personal decision: balance the depth of visualisation you need, the region you fly in, and whether you prefer curated forecasts or raw, authoritative data. Most pilots end up using a primary app for day‑to‑day planning (Windy or Paragliding Forecast) and a secondary source for on‑site verification (UFO, AviationWeather, or X‑Thermal).
When you combine these tools with good judgment and classic pilot intuition, you dramatically reduce the risk of wind‑related incidents and open the door to longer, more rewarding flights.
Fly smart, stay safe, and let the wind work for you---not against you.