Bar Z mtn launch

MT

Paragliding and hang gliding weather and wind forecast for Bar Z mtn launch, Montana.

48.0123°, -114.9460° Directions ↗

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Showing Paragliding. Switch wings up top ↑
Not flyable
Medium confidence · · Run: HRRR
Wind ENE (64°) is outside the window — expect cross/tail or rotor
NESW 64° ENE
Flyability score
10
/100 · paragliding
Wind
16
mph base
Gusts
26
mph
Temp
32°
F
Dew point
21°
F
Elevation
5,554
ft MSL
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Location

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What we look for at Bar Z mtn launch

Wind direction

W (270°) → NNW (340°)

The wind must blow from within this arc. Direction is the same for both wings.

Ideal speed

5–12 mph

Ceiling · Paragliding

≤ 19 mph base · gusts ≤ 23

Top of the range for paragliding (any rating). Switch wings up top to compare. Hang gliders hold roughly 10 mph more than paragliders.

Mountain launch in the Flathead Valley west of Kalispell/Whitefish, around 5,500 ft. Faces roughly W through NW; thermic with afternoon valley/anabatic flow, so fly mid-morning to early afternoon before it overdevelops and watch for lee turbulence if the wind backs south or east. Not documented in the FVSA guide — check with Flathead Valley Soaring or Many Feathers Paragliding before flying.

Window data compiled from flatheadsoaring.com, public site guides and club resources.

Next 7 days How calls are made

Sunday Not flyable no window 🌅 sunset 6:58 PM
7a
23g34
ENE
8a
22g34
ENE
9a
22g34
ENE
10a
22g34
ENE
11a
21g32
ENE
12p
20g30
ENE
1p
17g28
ENE
2p
16g26
ENE
3p
15g25
ENE
4p
16g26
ENE
5p
16g26
ENE
6p
17g27
ENE
Wind's out of the ENE most of the day — outside the working window, so cross/tail or rotor.
Monday Flyable flyable 3pm–6pm 🌅 sunset 6:56 PM
7a
11g20
ENE
8a
11g21
ENE
9a
12g20
ENE
10a
11g17
ENE
11a
9g13
ENE
12p
7g9
ENE
1p
5g7
ENE
2p
3g6
ENE
3p
2g4
E
4p
0g3
NW
5p
3g4
NW
6p
4g4
W
Flyable 12pm–6pm — best around 3pm: 2 mph E, gusts 4. 4 clean hrs, the rest borderline.
🌅 Wonder windGlass-off possible 4pm–6pm — smooth, light W ~4 mph, some cloud, weak daytime heating.
✓ Light, smooth wind✓ Straight in the window– Wind dying off into evening– Clear skies (radiative cooling)– Day built a thermal layer
Tuesday Flyable flyable 7am–12pm 🌅 sunset 6:54 PM
7a
1g4
SE
8a
1g3
SE
9a
1g3
SSE
10a
1g4
S
11a
1g4
SW
12p
1g5
WSW
1p
2g7
W
2p
2g9
WNW
3p
3g10
WNW
4p
2g10
WNW
5p
2g8
WNW
6p
1g7
NW
Flyable 7am–6pm — best around 7am: 1 mph SE, gusts 4. 6 clean hrs, the rest borderline.
🌅 Wonder windGlass-off likely 5pm–6pm — smooth, light NW ~1 mph, clear evening sky, the day heated up well.
✓ Light, smooth wind✓ Straight in the window– Wind dying off into evening✓ Clear skies (radiative cooling)✓ Day built a thermal layer
Wednesday Flyable flyable 7am–9am 🌅 sunset 6:52 PM
7a
1g5
SE
8a
1g5
SE
9a
1g6
SE
10a
1g7
SW
11a
3g10
WSW
12p
4g12
WSW
1p
5g14
W
2p
6g16
W
3p
6g17
W
4p
6g17
W
5p
5g16
W
6p
4g16
W
Flyable 7am–12pm — best around 7am: 1 mph SE, gusts 5. 3 clean hrs, the rest borderline.
Thursday Slim window flyable 11am 🌅 sunset 6:50 PM
7a
1g9
ESE
8a
1g8
ESE
9a
1g8
E
10a
2g7
E
11a
2g7
ENE
12p
2g7
ENE
1p
3g7
E
2p
3g7
ESE
3p
4g8
ESE
4p
4g9
ESE
5p
3g10
ESE
6p
2g11
ESE
Flyable 7am–5pm — best around 11am: 2 mph ENE, gusts 7. 1 clean hr, the rest borderline.
Friday Flyable flyable 1pm–6pm 🌅 sunset 6:48 PM
8a
3g6
ESE
9a
3g6
ESE
10a
2g7
SE
11a
2g7
SSE
12p
2g7
SSW
1p
3g7
SW
2p
5g7
SW
3p
7g7
SW
4p
6g7
WSW
5p
4g7
WSW
6p
3g8
W
Flyable 8am–6pm — best around 2pm: 5 mph SW, gusts 7. 6 clean hrs, the rest borderline.
🌅 Wonder windGlass-off possible 4pm–6pm — smooth, light WSW ~6 mph (a touch cross), clear evening sky, the day heated up well.
✓ Light, smooth wind– Edge of the window– Wind dying off into evening✓ Clear skies (radiative cooling)✓ Day built a thermal layer
Saturday Not flyable no window 🌅 sunset 6:47 PM
8a
5g19
SSW
9a
6g21
SW
10a
7g23
SW
11a
9g26
SW
12p
10g28
WSW
1p
10g29
WSW
2p
10g31
WSW
3p
10g32
WSW
4p
10g33
WSW
5p
9g34
WSW
6p
8g34
WSW
Too gusty — gusts past the 18 mph limit through the day.

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About Bar Z mtn launch

Bar Z mtn launch is a paragliding and hang gliding site in Montana. The launch faces northwest at 5,554 feet and works best in W to NNW wind of about 5 to 12 mph. There are 2 more Wonderwind sites within 50 miles, and the closest is Many Feathers Launch (Mt Aeneas), 22 miles away. Read the site guide on flatheadsoaring.com for rules and access before you fly.

Conditions are an automated estimate from public forecast models, not a go/no-go call. Always check the sky, talk to locals, and fly within your rating. You are responsible for your own safety.