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Big Jumps

What Is the Best Time of Year to Skydive?

Spring and fall suit most first skydives. See how location, weather and crowds change the best season, with dropzone details for each.

By Up Is Jump Team8 min read

You finally said yes to the tandem skydive that's been on your bucket list. Then you open the calendar and freeze: should you book now, wait for summer, or hold off until spring? For most first-timers, fall (especially September through early November) and spring are the best seasons. Temperatures are mild, visibility is good and the crowds are smaller than in summer. Summer has the most jump days and the most people. Winter works too, but only at some dropzones. Which month is best for you depends on where you live.

The short answer

No single month is best everywhere, but dropzones keep pointing to the same two seasons. Skydive Coastal Carolinas in North Carolina recommends late spring (April to May) and early fall (September to October), citing "comfortably cool temps and excellent visibility." Asked to pick one month, it chooses September, because "the spring tends to be a bit windy." Skydive Cross Keys in New Jersey says spring and fall are "not too hot and not too cold" and less busy. It also says summer is the most popular season.

Location changes the answer. Skydive Perris in Southern California says its weather is steady enough that nearly any date works. Keep in mind that the dropzone itself is making that claim. In Michigan, Skydive Tecumseh doesn't fly at all from December through March. A great January jump day is easy to find in California and impossible in the upper Midwest.

The sky can also change your plans in any season. Skydive Monroe in Georgia notes that weather holds can happen at any time of day, and that conditions on the ground can be different from conditions at altitude. Choosing a good season improves your chances, but it can't guarantee a jump day.

Spring and fall: mild and quieter

The shoulder seasons are popular because they're comfortable. You won't be sweating through the harness on the ground or shivering on the climb. Cross Keys says dropzones "aren't as busy" in spring and fall, so the day feels more relaxed. That matters on a first jump, when you'd rather spend your time listening to your instructor than waiting in a crowded hangar.

Each season has its own tradeoffs:

  • Spring: Expect wind and rain. Skydive Coastal Carolinas says rain is what keeps jumpers grounded in spring, which is part of why it favors September. In Southern California, Skydive Perris reports spring highs from the low 70s up to a typical 83°F by May, with 2 to 4 rain days a month.
  • Fall: The views are the big draw. Cross Keys says fall foliage "looks magical from above," and the Carolinas dropzone points to sunset jumps. Perris calls fall a favorite for cooler weather, clear skies and good daylight. The Carolinas operator also warns that fall weather "can be tricky," so plan for a backup date.

Southern Californians should know about the Santa Ana winds. The National Weather Service says these strong winds are most common from September through May. Dropzones postpone jumps when the wind is too high, so in that region a fall booking needs some flexibility.

October and November are a good time to book right now. A jump on the long Thanksgiving weekend (November 26 this year) can work well if your local dropzone is still flying. Just confirm the hours first, because many northern dropzones cut back their schedules as November goes on.

Summer: peak season, peak crowds

Summer is when everything runs at full speed. Skydive Coastal Carolinas calls summer "the official season of skydiving." Skydive Monroe says it's when skydiving is in "high gear," because the long days allow jumps from dawn to dusk. More daylight means more planeloads, and more planeloads means more open booking slots.

There are some downsides:

  • Heat on the ground. Monroe warns that Georgia summers can be hot. Perris lists summer highs in the upper 90s, and it's only about 69°F at jump altitude.
  • Afternoon weather. At Perris, afternoon dust devils (small, fast whirlwinds) can stop operations. In many parts of the country, summer afternoons also bring storms.
  • Crowds. Cross Keys says waits are longest on summer weekends, when at least 100 people may be around the hangar on a normal weekend and more in summer.

The best summer plan is simple: book early and take a morning slot. The Carolinas dropzone tells summer jumpers to book ahead because the season is busy. Monroe says mornings often have cooler, smoother air and that midday is the busiest time. Perris also says mornings are cooler and less windy. An early slot also means you're less likely to get bumped down the list if a hold backs up the afternoon.

Winter: possible, but check your dropzone

A winter skydive is possible, but whether you can book one depends on the dropzone. Some examples, based on each dropzone's own published schedule (confirm before you plan, since schedules change):

  • Skydive Tecumseh (Michigan) operates only from April through November. It cites the safety of jumpers and aircraft in frigid temperatures.
  • Skydive Orange (Virginia) closes from mid-December to mid-January. It's usually open only on Saturdays from mid-January through March, then Wednesday through Sunday from April.
  • Skydive Cross Keys (New Jersey) is open year-round except January, when it closes for a staff break.
  • Skydive Perris (California) reports winter days around 68°F, about 2 rain days in December and 4 in January and February. By its own numbers, the chance of a rain-out is roughly 6% in December and 13% in January and February.

Whatever the season, it's always much colder at altitude than on the ground. Estimates vary: Cross Keys says about 20°F colder, and Skydive Orange says 30 to 40°F colder at its 13,500-foot jump altitude. Tecumseh and Perris both use a rule of thumb of about 3°F colder per 1,000 feet, which works out to roughly 40°F colder at 13,500 feet. Ask your dropzone what to expect. Your exposure is short, though: Orange puts freefall at about 60 seconds and the canopy ride at about 5 to 7 minutes.

For a cold-weather jump, Skydive Orange recommends:

  • Moisture-wicking or wool base layers
  • Windproof gloves
  • A neck gaiter
  • High wool socks
  • Hand warmers

Tandem students get goggles. Tecumseh also recommends layers, gloves and thick socks.

Winter schedules also have less room for error. Days are shorter and some dropzones open fewer days a week. Skydive Orange says jumps get rescheduled if it's too cold, the wind is too high or the clouds are too low. One weather hold on a Saturday-only schedule can push your jump back a full week.

How to pick a date and avoid getting weathered out

To put it all together:

  1. Choose the season based on your region. In the North and Midwest, aim for late spring through early fall, and lean toward September. In the Southeast, spring and fall help you avoid summer heat. In Southern California, almost any month can work, but leave room for winter rain and Santa Ana wind days.
  2. Book mornings and weekdays. The air is often calmer and the crowds are smaller than in the busy midday and weekend hours.
  3. Keep your schedule flexible. Rain, high wind and low clouds all cause holds, and so does cold in winter. Don't book on the last free day of a trip, and plan to stay at the dropzone longer than you expect.
  4. Call before you drive out. Conditions change fast, and what you see at home may not match what's happening at the airport or at 13,500 feet.

Weather holds can feel frustrating, but they exist for good reasons. USPA counted 9 US civilian skydiving deaths in 2024, the first single-digit year since its records began in 1961. That's 0.23 per 100,000 jumps across about 3.88 million jumps. In 2025 the number was 16, or 0.46 per 100,000 jumps. In both years, landing problems caused 4 of the deaths. One fatal tandem accident in 2024 involved turbulent air or an invisible dust devil near the landing area, and it killed both the instructor and the student. That's why dropzones stop jumping when it gets gusty.

The safety numbers don't make any season the "safe" one. What keeps you safe is the dropzone's decision on the day. Pick the season you'll enjoy most, and if the staff says to wait, wait.

Sources (10)

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