The annual event kicks off tomorrow
Balloons in an early morning flight at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta(Image: Getty Images)
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is almost here and many are looking forward to watching more than 100 hot air balloons take to the skies across six mass ascents, the first beginning tomorrow, Friday, 8 August, at 6am.
However, as those who have attended before will know, this all depends on the weather.
In recent years, the Fiesta has seen everything from scorching hot sunshine, to wet and windy days, and both of these extremes can mean thousands of attendees are left disappointed as the balloons cannot fly.
As the Bristol Balloon Fiesta team explains, specific conditions are needed: “Hot air balloons need specific weather conditions. While the weather can sometimes seem brilliant to us on the ground, there are many factors taken into consideration to decide whether its safe to fly.
“As well as ground speeds, we must be happy with the speeds at 2,000 feet, and wind gusts. Visibility, precipitation and direction are also factors to consider.
“The decision is made by our flight team at 6am and 6pm each day at the event and is announced in the arena and on our social media channels shortly afterwards. The event will go ahead regardless of weather so please do head down to enjoy the the wider entertainment programme and activities, and support our balloonists and traders.”
So, what does the weather look like for the Fiesta’s first day?
The Met Office’s forecast for Friday reads: “Staying dry on Friday with sunny spells. Sunshine turning hazy at times with higher level cloud moving through. Feeling pleasant in the sunshine with lighter winds. Maximum temperature 23 °C.”
What’s more, for the majority of the day, windspeed is set to remain in the 3-5 mph range, although it may pick up in the evening to 11mph.
Guidance from Virgin Balloon Flights, who provide balloon flight experiences across the country, says that winds even a little stronger than 10-12 miles per hour are “simply too strong for us to be fully confident of your safety and we would never risk our passengers by flying in such conditions. Although rarer, sometimes we have the opposite situation, in that there is not enough wind to fly.
“In these cases, you simply wouldn’t go anywhere once you are up in the air. Poor visibility is an easy one too.”
Hour-by-hour weather for Day One ofBristol International Balloon Fiesta 2025
6AM
The first mass ascent is set to take place at 6am, and while we won’t know until the last moment if the balloons are taking off, the weather looks good for it.
The Met Office forecasts sunny intervals with a less than five per cent chance of precipitation. The temperature is set to be approximately 14C, alongside winds of 3mph and “Very Good” visibility
7AM
Much of the same is expected for the next hour, as the temperature gradually increases across the morning, with 15C forecasted.
8AM
The wind picks up ever so slightly here, with a windspeed of 4mph. Although good visibility remains and the temperature again increases to 15C.
9AM
By 9am, visibility will be “excellent” and the temperature will rise to 17C.
10AM
At 10am the wind speed will jump to 7mph and the temperature is forecasted as 18C.
11AM
At 11am the Met Office forecasts sunshine over sunny intervals, with the temperature reaching 19C and wind speed building to 9mph.
12PM
Midday temperatures continue to rise to 20C.
1PM
As we continue into the afternoon, the weather largely stays the same with a slight increase to 21C
2pm
Again, the temperature remains the same although the Met Office warns while it may be 21C it is more likely to feel like 18C.
3pm
At 3pm the temperature peaks at 22C, with wind speeds at 11mph.
4pm
Temperatures continue to hover around 22C with plenty of sun, still, as visibility remains excellent two hours ahead of the next mass ascent.
5pm
5pm marks the final hour of 22C before the temperature begins to cool as we gradually enter the evening.
6pm
At 6pm, the second mass ascent of the day, weather remains optimal with excellent visibility, a temperature of 21C and wind speeds of 10mph.
The reason the Fiesta’s mass ascents take place at 6am and 6pm is, as you may have guessed, due to the weather.
Speaking to SomersetLive in 2020, Andrew Holly, operations director at Exclusive Ballooning at the time, said: “We fly in the morning and evening as this is when the weather is most stable, avoiding thermal activity and instability, which is why you usually don’t see gliders and balloons in the sky at the same time.”