chatel-mens
📍 Rhone-Alpes , Departement de l'Isere · Nearest city: Mens (5 km)
61 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 1914 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
44.81380, 5.81125Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-20 13:23 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Día volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~1252 m, viento 16 km/h.
base ~1252m · wind 16 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~1194 m, viento 17 km/h.
base ~1194m · wind 17 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~1429 m, viento 17 km/h.
base ~1429m · wind 17 km/hDía muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~1291 m, viento 10 km/h.
base ~1291m · wind 10 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 15h
- Cloud suck alto (83/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
| 08 35 | 09 35 | 10 55 | 11 50 | 12 50 | 13 50 ☁️⚠️ | 14 50 ☁️⚠️ | 15 60 ☁️⚠️ | 16 45 ☁️⚠️ | 17 40 ☁️⚠️ | 18 60 | 19 50 | 20 50 |
Peak 15h: CAPE 30 J/kg · LI 1.9 · BL top 1545 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 3026 m · 0°C at 2890 m · Pro score 63/100 · sun 31° over slope
2026-04-21⚠️ Marginal · peak 50 at 16h
- Día muy estable (CAPE<50, LI>2) — sin térmicas
| 08 30 | 09 30 | 10 30 | 11 30 ☁️⚠️ | 12 30 ☁️⚠️ | 13 30 ☁️⚠️ | 14 30 ☁️⚠️ | 15 30 ☁️⚠️ | 16 50 ☁️⚠️ | 17 50 ☁️⚠️ | 18 50 ☁️⚠️ | 19 50 ☁️⚠️ | 20 50 |
Peak 16h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 3.8 · BL top 1260 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 3926 m · 0°C at 2920 m · Pro score 62/100 · 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: 15:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 11.0°C · Td: 2.1°C
LCL (cloud base): 1112 m
BL top: 1545 m
0°C level: 2890 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) | 6 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.91 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.47 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
Alti: big grass area on the top of the 'Chatel' summit. walk 1 h. from Mens take the D66 road to the north-east. Follow it until 'Cord�ac' and take a track to the south. Stop under the summit and walk to finish.
Nearby sites
Courtet (54) · Colombiers d'Entraigues (45) · Jas d'oris (56) · Collet de Tat - Superdevoluy (40) · Laffrey Les Tibannes (42) · Connex (53)