Flight Crew Glider; Flight Crew Private; Other SEL
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60; Flight Crew Total 3050; Flight Crew Type 1550
Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Procedure; Human Factors; Company Policy; Chart Or Publication
I was traveling eastbound over the south end of ZZZ 4800 feet under broken cumulus clouds at 6500 feet.  I was monitoring the ZZZ1 glider CTAF flying with Mode S transponder squawking 1202. I monitor Fore-flight to provide TFR's and NOTAMs.  No TFR's or NOTAMs were noted. A falling skydiver appeared at 11 o'clock out of the cloud deck. I attempted to turn right and another appeared at 3 o'clock. Then it appeared a half dozen or so were falling around and past me out of the clouds. I continued east to leave the area and then saw skydivers under canopy headed north toward the airport ahead of me. They had fallen in the blue sky area south of the airport. I may have passed one closer than 500 feet but can't say for sure.  Next I saw the Drop plane headed north to the airport in front of me wag his wings acknowledging he had seen me. I could not see the jump aircraft before the jumpers exited the aircraft at 12000 feet or so; because they were above the cloud I was flying under. Many of the jumpers fell through the cloud and I did not see them until they fell clear 1500 ft above me.ZZZ TRACON was probably monitoring the operation however failed to see my transponder or provide alerts to traffic in the area not listening to approach control. It is impossible to see and avoid jumpers falling through clouds.  It is impossible to see the jump aircraft above the clouds.Jump operations should not be allowed in uncontrolled airspace with clouds when see and avoid rules are to be followed.
A Glider pilot reported near midair encounters with skydivers.