Varces - Pré du Four
📍 Rhone-Alpes , Departement de l'Isere · Nearest city: Saint-Paul-de-Varces (1 km)
56 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 1236 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
45.08170, 5.63275Forecast 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 ~824 m, viento 7 km/h.
base ~824m · wind 7 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~1013 m, viento 12 km/h.
base ~1013m · wind 12 km/hCondiciones marginales, base de cúmulos ~1115 m, viento 9 km/h.
base ~1115m · wind 9 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 60 at 13h
- Cloud suck alto (83/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
| 08 30 ☁️⚠️ | 09 50 ☁️⚠️ | 10 50 | 11 50 | 12 55 | 13 60 | 14 50 | 15 50 ☁️⚠️ | 16 55 ☁️⚠️ | 17 55 | 18 55 | 19 50 | 20 50 |
Peak 13h: CAPE 40 J/kg · LI 1.7 · BL top 1005 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 1898 m · 0°C at 2690 m · sun 40° over slope
2026-04-21⚠️ Marginal · peak 60 at 16h
- Día muy estable (CAPE<50, LI>2) — sin térmicas
| 08 30 | 09 30 | 10 30 | 11 30 | 12 35 | 13 30 | 14 35 | 15 35 | 16 60 | 17 50 | 18 50 | 19 50 | 20 50 |
Peak 16h: CAPE 10 J/kg · LI 3.5 · BL top 970 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 2486 m · 0°C at 2850 m · Pro score 55/100 · 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: 13:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 13.1°C · Td: 7.8°C
LCL (cloud base): 662 m
BL top: 1005 m
0°C level: 2690 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) | 13 | High |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.79 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.33 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
alti 1220m.
Nearby sites
Varces-plateau de Saint Anges (46) · Belvedere (51) · Lans en vercors (50) · Lans-en-Vercors 200m (57) · Lans-en-Vercors 100m (49) · Le Col Vert (46)