instructors are well educated on not flying if they see storm cells, or any thunderstorms, as gust fronts can reach out 100 miles. paragliders can be safely launched, flown and landed in winds from zero to about 30 miles per hour, with ideal winds for launching and landing between 5 to 20 miles per hour.

during flight wind speed is not as important, since the pilot controls the air speed of the glider, independently of the wind speed. paragliders use wind lifts to gain altitude and ridge lift occur when horizontal wind hits a mountain or a cliff, and is deflected upward - thermal lift occurs when the terrain or ocean is heated by the sun transferring heat to the surrounding air which rises and floats the paraglider.