Ixtapan de la sal
📍 Mexico · Nearest city: Coatepec Harinas (0 km)
57 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 2431 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
18.89400, -99.72130Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-19 16:11 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Día muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~1048 m, viento 11 km/h, precipitación 1.9 mm.
base ~1048m · wind 11 km/h · precip 1.9mmNo recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~656 m, viento 9 km/h, precipitación 6.9 mm.
base ~656m · wind 9 km/h · precip 6.9mmNo recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~901 m, viento 8 km/h, precipitación 4.8 mm.
base ~901m · wind 8 km/h · precip 4.8mmComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-20⚠️ Marginal · peak 70 at 13h
- Cobertura nubosa >85% — sin radiación para disparar
⏰ Useful window: 14:00 – 17:00
| 08 50 | 09 58 | 10 48 | 11 48 | 12 53 | 13 70 | 14 17 | 15 10 | 16 10 | 17 13 | 18 10 | 19 18 | 20 28 |
Peak 13h: CAPE 30 J/kg · LI -2.3 · BL top 1315 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 3668 m · 0°C at 4780 m · Pro score 60/100 · sun 72° over slope
2026-04-21✅ Flyable · peak 70 at 11h
⏰ Useful window: 10:00 – 17:00
| 08 63 | 09 53 | 10 63 | 11 70 | 12 70 | 13 15 | 14 23 | 15 10 | 16 12 | 17 10 | 18 10 | 19 10 | 20 10 |
Peak 11h: CAPE 220 J/kg · LI -2.1 · BL top 1430 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 3256 m · 0°C at 4800 m · Pro score 60/100 · sun 63° 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: 13:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 17.1°C · Td: 7.2°C
LCL (cloud base): 1237 m
BL top: 1315 m
0°C level: 4780 m
Approximate profile from surface variables + synoptic levels. Red lines = temperature, dashed blue = dew point. Orange bands = detected inversions.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 5 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.78 | 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 |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 2437 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 11.5° |
| Slope aspect | 324° (NW) |
| Hemisphere | north — Orientation unfavorable for direct solar thermals |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
Nice big takeoff with 450 m. in SSE direction, very safe launch with plenty of landing fields and road access for retrieval, it offers many routes for XC even connecting with other flying sites. Recommended for all pilots.
Rules and notes
Its Mexico, few regulations.
Pilot comments
Great flying site with plenty of XC possibilities and friendly local pilots who can pick you at the airport, offer a nice hotel, show you around and take you flying. OziExplorer & ThermoCompass maps of this: http://thermocompass.500mb.net/map.htm
Nearby sites
La Malinche (66) · Nevado (12) · Despegue Bistro (65) · El Picacho - Malinalco (60) · Valle de Bravo - El Peñon (71) · Cerro Pelon Alternate el Peñon (50)