First Balloon Fiesta mass ascent cancelled
The wind was deemed too strong for a flight to be safe
This year's edition of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has got off to a disappointing start as the first mass ascent this morning was cancelled.
Organisers blamed strong winds, with gusts around 25 miles an hour forecast at 6am.
Chair of the Fiesta's flying committee Pete Dalby told Greatest Hits Radio why wind is such an issue.
He said: "A small hot air balloon contains about two and a half to three tonnes of air.
"When you try and stand up something that's got three tonnes of air in it and there's a gust of say 25 knots, then the actual force on that balloon is massive.
"It can easily break tether lines or drag vehicles across the field. There is so much force in that balloon when you've got a strong wind behind it, that it is extremely dangerous."
To keep the balloons from drifting across the ground as they inflate they are tethered to vehicles and only released at the last second at take off, hence why the threat of vehicles being dragged along the grass in strong wind, is an issue.
In theory another mass ascent is planned at 6pm, though according to the Met Office the wind is likely to be much the same.
Thankfully it is likely to have dropped by the time of the nightglow at 9pm; a hugely popular event held every Fiesta, when in the darkness the pilots use their burners to light up the night sky in time to music.
Over the weekend the wind is due to be slightly weaker on Saturday and then weaker again on Sunday, meaning organisers are optimistic about flights on days two and three.