During the day, the ground surface is heated by the sun’s rays. The ground surface then heats the air above it, resulting in thermals – columns of rising warm air. The thermals create upward and downward air currents that affect the pilot’s ability to maintain control over the balloon’s ascent and descent.
Therefore, hot air balloon flights take place during the hours around sunrise and sunset, when thermals don’t occur.
Other questions about ballooning
