Best Weather For Skydiving

Any seasoned skydiver will tell you the thrill of freefall is only matched by the excitement of a clear, blue sky and low winds, i.e. the best weather for skydiving! In Florida, where sunshine has supremacy, skydivers are fortunate to enjoy near-perfect skydiving weather conditions year-round. We’re superior in the skydiving realm!  

Let’s break down how different weather conditions affect skydiving.

Ideal Skydiving Weather Conditions 

Determining the best skydiving weather is like a balancing act between opinions and facts. For example, some people like to skydive when the air is crisp, while others prefer sweltering days that leave them feeling rejuvenated in the breeze. However, both of these jumpers are at the mercy of the same weather conditions, like wind speed, hefty gusts, and clouds. Let’s dive in! 

Can you skydive in the rain? 

Heck to the nahhh! Skydiving in the rain is a big no-no. Not only does jumping through a drizzle present some safety considerations – such as decreased visibility and potential consequences to our gear – but it also hurts. 

Freefall zips you through the sky at around 120 mph. At these speeds, raindrops won’t look as romantic as they do in The Notebook but will sting your skin. Parachutes are also not designed to fly while wet, for obvious reasons. And although they’re quite resilient, using parachutes the way they’re intended is critical to maintaining safety as the standard. 

Can you skydive through a cloud? 

Again, nope. The cloud clearance regulations for skydivers are set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and it’s not exactly legal for skydivers to soar through clouds. Because skydivers are piloting their bodies and parachutes, the FAA holds skydivers to the same standards as private pilots, who also cannot punch clouds. Simply put, to keep safety first, we can’t be negligent, and jumping through those big, fluffy clouds can have some severe consequences for both the skydiver and the pilot flying the aircraft. 

What is the best temperature for skydiving? 

This is one of those subjective questions we mentioned in the beginning! It’s common for skydivers to enjoy jumping in temperatures around 70 to 80 degrees. This way, it’s easy to cool off in freefall, while avoiding becoming too chilly. We like it when it’s comfortable on the ground and in the air! 

When jumping in any temperature, it’s important to dress for success. What should you wear when skydiving? Layers are your best friend! In the cooler months, you can layer up and after the rush of the jump, strip it down. In the summer, you can start light and add on as the day progresses and the sun dips down. 

Is it okay to skydive when it’s windy? 

Skydivers thrive when the winds are light and variable, or virtually non-existent. Parachutes are essentially wings, and although they’re quite durable, they (and subsequently, us) are at the mercy of the wind to some extent. If the wind is too strong, parachutes can have a difficult time with penetration, resulting in minimal forward movement. Similarly, if the wind is inconsistent or gusty, things can get a bit wonky. 

Winds are the invisible menace to skydivers. For example, if the skies directly above us are conducive for some full sends, but there’s a storm front a couple of miles off, we would need to take a beat to better assess the situation. Storm fronts can cause gnarly and unexpected winds, and we don’t want to get caught in them. Wind can seem intimidating, but this is why we have wind socks and technology to constantly keep an eye on the wind at every altitude! 

Predictability: Why Does It Matter? 

Predictability and consistency are a skydiver’s best friend. When we land our parachutes, we do it in the same pattern nearly every single time to be predictable for those landing after us. Likewise, when it comes to weather, we like to know what to expect! This is because we put safety at the top of our list, in every way and on every skydive. 

When it comes to skydiving weather, it’s better to be on the ground wishing you were in the sky than in the sky wishing you were on the ground. This is why conservative decisions with safety at the forefront are critical in the sport. 

What’s The Best Month To Skydive? 

Is it better to skydive in the summer or winter? Well, it depends on where you are. Although we soar the sunny skies 52 weeks out of the year, some skydiving centers are at the mercy of the changing seasons. Any month that has the least amount of rain (and thus, strong wind) and the most amount of sunshine is the best! 

So, how does weather affect skydiving? In every way! Without the weather gods on our side, jumping from a plane is only a dream. But, when they work in our favor, the possibilities of fun jumps are endless – come jump with us! Blue skies!