Chalchihuapan - Puebla
📍 Puebla , Santa Isabel Cholula · Nearest city: San Pablo Ahuatempa (3 km)
59 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 2336 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
18.96320, -98.34210Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-20 12:34 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Día muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~1305 m, viento 14 km/h.
base ~1305m · wind 14 km/hDía muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~1204 m, viento 18 km/h, precipitación 0.7 mm.
base ~1204m · wind 18 km/h · precip 0.7mmNo recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~869 m, viento 18 km/h, precipitación 3.6 mm.
base ~869m · wind 18 km/h · precip 3.6mmNo recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~883 m, viento 19 km/h, precipitación 4.2 mm.
base ~883m · wind 19 km/h · precip 4.2mmComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-20✅ Flyable · peak 78 at 15h
⏰ Useful window: 13:00 – 17:00
| 08 55 | 09 55 | 10 55 | 11 45 | 12 58 | 13 53 | 14 63 🏔️ | 15 78 | 16 73 | 17 73 | 18 78 | 19 73 | 20 73 |
Peak 15h: CAPE 170 J/kg · LI -0.4 · BL top 1790 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 3686 m · 0°C at 4810 m · Pro score 71/100 · sun 48° over slope
2026-04-21🌟 Exceptional day · peak 80 at 13h
⏰ Useful window: 12:00 – 17:00
| 08 48 | 09 58 | 10 58 | 11 70 | 12 70 | 13 80 | 14 80 | 15 75 🏔️ | 16 70 🏔️ | 17 68 | 18 80 | 19 29 | 20 25 |
Peak 13h: CAPE 190 J/kg · LI -2.3 · BL top 1765 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 3523 m · 0°C at 4950 m · Pro score 66/100 · sun 70° 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: 15:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 19.9°C · Td: 9.1°C
LCL (cloud base): 1349 m
BL top: 1790 m
0°C level: 4810 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) | 2 | Low |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.98 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.61 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 2320 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 11.4° |
| Slope aspect | 340° (N) |
| Hemisphere | north — Orientation unfavorable for direct solar thermals |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
South oriented saddle 350 meters over valley.
Rules and notes
None.
Pilot comments
Contact locals for advice, a ride and/or good company. Midday thermals work year round but cloudbase is low with common afternoon OD & storms May - September. Starts to dry out in October, with strong thermals and XC possibilities best Nov - Feb. Inconsistent XC conditions. Late afternoon soaring is a good bet year-round.
Nearby sites
San Bernardino Chalchihuapan (54) · Izta Volcano (9) · Tepoztlan (47) · El Picacho - Malinalco (60) · Despegue Bistro (65) · Tulancingo (10)