Barlovento
📍 Valle del Cauca · Nearest city: Pradera (9 km)
57 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 1943 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
3.47063, -76.18280Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-19 16:10 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Día muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~1020 m, viento 12 km/h.
base ~1020m · wind 12 km/hDía muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~987 m, viento 14 km/h.
base ~987m · wind 14 km/hDía muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~858 m, viento 13 km/h, precipitación 0.8 mm.
base ~858m · wind 13 km/h · precip 0.8mmComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-20🌟 Exceptional day · peak 85 at 12h
⏰ Useful window: 08:00 – 17:00
| 08 70 | 09 78 | 10 80 | 11 80 | 12 85 | 13 85 | 14 85 | 15 80 | 16 80 | 17 85 | 18 80 | 19 73 | 20 65 |
Peak 12h: CAPE 510 J/kg · LI -2.4 · BL top 1150 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 2843 m · 0°C at 4860 m · Pro score 75/100 · sun 62° over slope
2026-04-21✅ Flyable · peak 80 at 17h
⏰ Useful window: 09:00 – 17:00
| 08 55 | 09 70 | 10 70 | 11 78 | 12 78 | 13 73 | 14 73 | 15 78 | 16 78 | 17 80 | 18 73 | 19 65 | 20 65 |
Peak 17h: CAPE 900 J/kg · LI -2.3 · BL top 740 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 2905 m · 0°C at 4870 m · Pro score 68/100 · sun 28° 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: 12:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 23.7°C · Td: 16.5°C
LCL (cloud base): 899 m
BL top: 1150 m
0°C level: 4860 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 | 0.50 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 1940 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 22.8° |
| Slope aspect | 229° (SW) |
| Hemisphere | north — Slope facing the daytime sun (favorable for thermals) |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
Barlovento Buitrera, Large area, grass, top landing possible. Infrastructure on the takeoff in development. Currently accessible via a car - must be 4x4!
Rules and notes
local pilots have the information to fly on the site
Pilot comments
Very active area with good thermal conditions all day long. Be aware of possible theft when packing up (especially in/ around the next city to the north est: Palmira)
Nearby sites
Florida (55) · Bello Horizonte (57) · Destino Aventura (60) · Piedechinche -Paraiso del Vuelo (53) · Piedechinche Take Off (64) · Sede de Vuelo Libre Club Halcones (43)