AirXpansion Paraglide School is based in Jacksonville, Oregon, with training and flying at Emigrant Lake near Ashland and Woodrat Mountain near Jacksonville.
This page is a collection of weather, aviation, wind, satellite, and forecast resources useful for paragliding pilots in Southern Oregon. Always evaluate conditions yourself and follow site rules and safe flying practices.
Local Weather Forecasts
Woodrat Mountain Area Forecast
Woodrat Mountain can experience significantly different conditions from the Rogue Valley. Check the local forecast and pay close attention to wind direction, wind speed, cloud development, and afternoon thermal activity.
National Weather Service – Southern Oregon Forecasts
RAWS: Remote Access Weather Sites
Applegate Valley, Oregon
- Woodrat Upper Launch
- LongSword Vineyard LZ
- Wells Land Vineyard LZ
- Applegate Lake Campground
- Provolt Seed Orchard
- Acorn Woman Peak (formerly Squaw Peak)
- Tallowbox Mountain
Rogue Valley, Oregon
Ashland & Emigrant Lake Area
Use the National Weather Service Medford office for forecasts and weather information throughout the Rogue Valley and Southern Oregon.
National Weather Service Medford
The NWS Medford office is the primary official weather forecast office for this region.
Aviation Weather
For pilots, aviation weather provides valuable information including METARs, TAFs, PIREPs, radar, satellite imagery, and graphical aviation forecasts.
Medford Airport – KMFR
KMFR is an important nearby aviation weather observation for Southern Oregon pilots.
KMFR Station Information, METAR & TAF
Model Soundings & Skew-T Forecasts
Understanding atmospheric stability, cloud base, wind, thermal potential, and lapse rates can be extremely useful when planning a flying day.
The National Weather Service provides model soundings using RAP, HRRR, NAM, and GFS model data.
NWS Model Soundings & Skew-T Forecasts
The NWS model-sounding system provides selectable locations and multiple forecast models, including RAP and HRRR.
For additional information about reading Skew-T diagrams:
Satellite & Cloud Imagery
Satellite imagery can help pilots monitor cloud development, approaching weather systems, marine influence, and changes throughout the day.
NOAA Satellite and Environmental Information
For weather imagery, you can also use the Aviation Weather Center's observation tools.
Aviation Weather Observations & Satellite Tools
Fire & Smoke Information
During fire season, smoke and wildfire activity can significantly affect visibility, air quality, and flying conditions.
National Interagency Fire Center
AirNow Smoke & Air Quality Map