La Serre
📍 Midi-Pyrenees , Departement des Hautes-Pyrenees · Nearest city: Saint-Lary-Soulan (4 km)
61 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 1929 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
42.83500, 0.27552Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-19 16:05 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Día muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~895 m, viento 8 km/h.
base ~895m · wind 8 km/hDía muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~1130 m, viento 7 km/h.
base ~1130m · wind 7 km/hDía muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~911 m, viento 3 km/h.
base ~911m · wind 3 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-20❌ Not recommended · peak 73 at 9h
- Cobertura nubosa >85% — sin radiación para disparar
- Cloud suck alto (80/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
⏰ Useful window: 10:00 – 19:00
| 08 65 | 09 73 | 10 73 | 11 73 | 12 73 | 13 63 ☁️⚠️ | 14 10 ☁️⚠️ | 15 10 ☁️⚠️ | 16 16 ☁️⚠️ | 17 10 | 18 10 | 19 10 | 20 73 |
Peak 9h: CAPE 140 J/kg · LI -0.4 · BL top 75 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 2579 m · 0°C at 3110 m · Pro score 80/100 · sun 32° over slope
2026-04-21✅ Flyable · peak 80 at 14h
⏰ Useful window: 10:00 – 18:00
| 08 65 | 09 65 | 10 73 | 11 73 | 12 73 | 13 73 | 14 80 | 15 26 | 16 11 | 17 10 | 18 10 | 19 10 | 20 10 |
Peak 14h: CAPE 320 J/kg · LI -2.1 · BL top 2130 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 2729 m · 0°C at 3260 m · Pro score 87/100 · sun 38° over slope
Hourly flyability (0–100). ⛈️ = storm risk · ☁️⚠️ = cloud suck · 🏔️ = active ridge lift. CAPE = convective energy, LI = stability, BL top = thermal ceiling, w* = estimated dry thermal velocity. Source: Open-Meteo (ECMWF/GFS/ICON blend model).
Estimated vertical profile (Sounding)
Reference time: 09:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 8.6°C · Td: 3.4°C
LCL (cloud base): 649 m
BL top: 75 m
0°C level: 3110 m
Approximate profile from surface variables + synoptic levels. Red lines = temperature, dashed blue = dew point. Orange bands = detected inversions.
Wind chart — altitude × time
Color: green < 20 km/h · yellow 20-30 · red >40. Arrows point to where the wind is blowing. Each column = 1 hour. 4 altitudes: 10m surface, 80m first thermal, 1500m (850 hPa) thermal cruise, 3000m (700 hPa) top.
Wind next days (Open-Meteo model)
Wind rose 10m — 2026-04-20
| Date | Morning 08-12h | Midday 12-16h | Evening 16-20h | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-20 | 3 km/h N | gust 13 | 8 km/h NE | gust 24 | 4 km/h SE | gust 27 |
| 2026-04-21 | 6 km/h SW | gust 18 | 5 km/h SW | gust 28 | 7 km/h SW | gust 36 |
Colors: green < 15 km/h (optimal) · orange 15-25 · red >25 (flying not recommended). ⚠️ = shear >25 km/h between 10m and 850 hPa (potentially broken thermals).
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 16 | High |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.76 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.45 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
La Serre Orientation: South, South-east Altiude: 2000 m Access: To take the road of Espiaube then the road on the right before the station of the collar of Portet. Flying conditions: Conditions favorable in thermics at the end of the morning. Wind of very dangerous south. La Serre Orientation : Sud, Sud-Est Altiude : 2000 m Accès : Prendre la route d'Espiaube puis la route à droite avant la station du col du Portet. Conditions de vol : Conditions favorable en thermiques en fin de matinée. Vent de sud très dangereux.
Nearby sites
Pla d'Adet (49) · Grascoueous (53) · Soum de Coste Oueillere - Payolle (79) · Ens (50) · Vallee du louron (60) · Bareges-tourmalet (53)