On the menu links above are a host of new weather features for ballooning. Some are improvements on existing programs, like www.blastvalve.com's ballooncast and 3day 4cast, and others are competely new, like the Radiosonde or "weather balloon" program.

By Keith Berry

I love flying my balloon. I also love weather. I guess that is why I was a natural fit for a couple of the local balloon festivals as their Weather Officer/Meteorologist.

After performing those duties for a couple of years, one of the attending pilots and BFA competition committee member asked me to be the 2007 U.S. Nationals Weather Prognosticator in Waco, TX. I was very flattered they had asked and was more than happy to accept their invitation. I promised to do my very best to provide them with a reliable forecast to help in their decision making on flying and what tasks they would assign to the pilots.

    The goal of this weather section is to serve as a resource for balloonists looking for weather information as they plan their flight, long jump or just want to keep on eye on the weather as they plan their travels to the next race or balloon event. The information provided is intended to give balloonists access to weather tools and information to aid in their weather planning. As always it is up to the pilot to be as diligent as possible in obtaining the most up to date weather information available before flying.