Col d'Izoard
📍 Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur , Departement des Hautes-Alpes · Nearest city: Villar-Saint-Pancrace (10 km)
59 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 2443 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
44.81880, 6.72819Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-20 12:35 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Día volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~2066 m, viento 21 km/h.
base ~2066m · wind 21 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~2240 m, viento 17 km/h.
base ~2240m · wind 17 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~662 m, viento 9 km/h.
base ~662m · wind 9 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~1776 m, viento 6 km/h.
base ~1776m · wind 6 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 60 at 17h
- Día muy estable (CAPE<50, LI>2) — sin térmicas
- Cloud suck alto (100/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
| 08 50 ☁️⚠️ | 09 50 ☁️⚠️ | 10 50 ☁️⚠️ | 11 30 ☁️⚠️ | 12 30 ☁️⚠️ | 13 35 ☁️⚠️ | 14 55 ☁️⚠️ | 15 55 ☁️⚠️ | 16 35 ☁️⚠️ | 17 60 ☁️⚠️ | 18 55 ☁️⚠️ | 19 50 ☁️⚠️ | 20 50 ☁️⚠️ |
Peak 17h: CAPE 20 J/kg · LI 2.5 · BL top 2230 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 4330 m · 0°C at 3130 m · sun 17° over slope
2026-04-21⚠️ Marginal · peak 60 at 15h
- Cloud suck alto (84/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
| 08 30 ☁️⚠️ | 09 30 ☁️⚠️ | 10 30 ☁️⚠️ | 11 30 ☁️⚠️ | 12 35 ☁️⚠️ | 13 35 ☁️⚠️ | 14 55 ☁️⚠️ | 15 60 ☁️⚠️ | 16 50 ☁️⚠️ | 17 40 ☁️⚠️ | 18 40 ☁️⚠️ | 19 55 ☁️⚠️ | 20 55 ☁️⚠️ |
Peak 15h: CAPE 20 J/kg · LI 3.1 · BL top 2400 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 4143 m · 0°C at 2370 m · Pro score 58/100 · sun 32° 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: 17:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 9.2°C · Td: -5.9°C
LCL (cloud base): 1887 m
BL top: 2230 m
0°C level: 3130 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) | 10 | High |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.85 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.25 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
Follow the hiking trail for a bit, then climb the shoulder (no path). There are two ok spots with grassy patches. Takeoff is not beginner-friendly.
Nearby sites
Ceillac (56) · Le Prorel (58) · Col du Granon (51) · Puy Aillaud (68) · Aussois (64) · soleil boeuf (63)