What factors are involved in determining if the weather is conducive to safely fly balloons? Hot air ballooning is arguably the most weather sensitve sport in the world. Ballooning is all about light winds with 5 mph being ideal. You are truly at the mercy of Mother Nature with the only steering mechanism being the wind itself. Thus, we are looking for a stable atmosphere with fair skies, light winds and no fronts or precipitation in the area. In the ballooning community there is a saying that goes as follows: 'It is better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air than in the air wishing you were on the ground."