La Cumbre - Colima
📍 Colima · Nearest city: Colima (8 km)
57 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 772 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
19.18130, -103.69200Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-19 16:10 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
No recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~1420 m, viento 18 km/h, precipitación 2.2 mm.
base ~1420m · wind 18 km/h · precip 2.2mmNo recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~1538 m, viento 22 km/h, precipitación 2.4 mm.
base ~1538m · wind 22 km/h · precip 2.4mmDía muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~1630 m, viento fuerte (25 km/h).
base ~1630m · wind 25 km/hComposite 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 10h
⏰ Useful window: 10:00 – 18:00
| 08 78 | 09 78 | 10 85 | 11 80 | 12 80 | 13 80 | 14 75 | 15 75 | 16 75 | 17 80 | 18 85 | 19 73 | 20 78 |
Peak 10h: CAPE 540 J/kg · LI -2.3 · BL top 850 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 1859 m · 0°C at 4650 m · Pro score 78/100 · sun 56° over slope
2026-04-21🌟 Exceptional day · peak 78 at 11h
⏰ Useful window: 09:00 – 18:00
| 08 73 | 09 73 | 10 73 | 11 78 | 12 78 | 13 68 | 14 75 | 15 75 | 16 70 | 17 73 | 18 78 | 19 70 | 20 78 |
Peak 11h: CAPE 1070 J/kg · LI -1.0 · BL top 1405 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 2322 m · 0°C at 4820 m · Pro score 76/100 · sun 71° 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: 10:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 28.4°C · Td: 19.7°C
LCL (cloud base): 1087 m
BL top: 850 m
0°C level: 4650 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 | 0.42 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 781 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 9.0° |
| Slope aspect | 207° (SW) |
| Hemisphere | north — Slope facing the daytime sun (favorable for thermals) |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
Take-off is oriented SSW. Ideal take-off varies between 10:00 and 14:00 hours, depending on local conditions and seasonal changes. Take-off itself is located at the top of La Cumbre at 750 m (above sea level) 350 mts from ground.Optimal flying conditions has a breeze that comes from the sea, which is located about 40 km (25 miles) away in a straight line in a SSE direction, and the valleys in front of take-off generate optimal thermal conditions.
Rules and notes
10 miles north is the Colima airport, it is not allowed to fly in that direction.
Pilot comments
It is forbidden flying directly North of take-off, there is a national airportthere (restricted flying zone). At take-off, next to the door to the chapel, there is a printed map where one may observe the restricted zone and other details. Flying at La Cumbre has both thermal and soaring conditions. There is a range of mountains in a slight horseshoe shape that is located SE of take-off, which provides for convection, and over the valley of Piscila and Colima there are strong thermals. During December (the time of out competition) the thermal ceilings may easily reach more than 2500 m ASL (8250 feet). Ideal take-off varies between 11:00 and 14:00 hours, depending on local conditions and seasonal changes. One may fly about 85% of the year in Colima with good conditions.
Nearby sites
Volcano Nevado de Colima (9) · La Ceja Tapalpa (66) · Gravedad Cero, Tapalpa, Jalisco (56) · El Toro Bull Hill (18) · la ondonada (44) · El Chante (4)