Chalais
📍 Rhone-Alpes , Departement de l'Isere · Nearest city: Voreppe (2 km)
55 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 1003 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
45.29240, 5.66170Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-19 16:13 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Día volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~859 m, viento 15 km/h.
base ~859m · wind 15 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~843 m, viento 13 km/h.
base ~843m · wind 13 km/hCondiciones marginales, base de cúmulos ~1079 m, viento 12 km/h.
base ~1079m · wind 12 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-20⚠️ Marginal · peak 55 at 14h
- Cobertura nubosa >85% — sin radiación para disparar
⏰ Useful window: 13:00 – 13:00
| 08 30 | 09 50 | 10 50 | 11 50 | 12 40 | 13 45 | 14 55 | 15 50 | 16 50 | 17 50 | 18 50 | 19 50 | 20 50 |
Peak 14h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 0.7 · BL top 1060 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 1928 m · 0°C at 2830 m · Pro score 66/100 · sun 36° over slope
2026-04-21⚠️ Marginal · peak 55 at 16h
- Día muy estable (CAPE<50, LI>2) — sin térmicas
| 08 30 | 09 30 | 10 30 | 11 35 | 12 30 | 13 35 | 14 30 | 15 50 | 16 55 | 17 55 | 18 55 | 19 55 | 20 35 |
Peak 16h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 3.3 · BL top 1080 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 1940 m · 0°C at 2800 m · Pro score 58/100 · sun 25° 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: 14:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 14.6°C · Td: 7.2°C
LCL (cloud base): 924 m
BL top: 1060 m
0°C level: 2830 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) | 8 | High |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.83 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.35 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
20 mn by feet from Chalais, 5 km east of Voreppe, 15 km NW from Grenoble. Easy take off! Landing not visible from take off. Take care about thermal wind in valley : morning site !
Nearby sites
Le Grand Ratz (54) · La Grande Sure (56) · petit Montaud (44) · Montaud (42) · Charmant Som (47) · Charande-la moliere (50)