WEATHER CHECKLIST FOR XC

  1. winds aloft
  2. winds aloft from current soundings
  3. surface winds (mesonet)
  4. wind forecast
  5. look outside
  6. 5 day forecast
  7. barometric pressure (ideal is 29.90 to 30.10)
  8. instability index
  9. height of the -3
  10. top of the lift (sometimes 1 to 3000’ above predicted)
  11. first useable lift time 
  12. maximum lift (often greater than predicted)
  13. position of lows and highs
  14. pre and post frontal and when
  15. K index (possibility of thunderstorms) 10% can be good
  16. moisture content of ground and air
  17. night to day temperature spread (30 degrees is ideal)
  18. check with other pilots to see what they think
  19. watch the sky and wind for changes before and after launch
  20. where is the jetstream
  21. check internal conditions
  22. which site to fly
  23. feel of cycles and wind on launch
  24. speed, strength and size of cloud development
  25. base wind below 8 mph at launch