Dunlap
📍 California , Fresno County · Nearest city: Squaw Valley (14 km)
55 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 1390 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
36.76420, -119.09800Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-19 16:14 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
No recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~1905 m, viento 15 km/h.
base ~1905m · wind 15 km/hNo recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~233 m, viento 19 km/h, precipitación 9.0 mm.
base ~233m · wind 19 km/h · precip 9.0mmCondiciones marginales, base de cúmulos ~1211 m, viento 15 km/h.
base ~1211m · wind 15 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 40 at 8h
- Día muy estable (CAPE<50, LI>2) — sin térmicas
| 08 40 | 09 40 ☁️⚠️ | 10 30 | 11 30 | 12 30 | 13 30 | 14 30 ☁️⚠️ | 15 30 ☁️⚠️ | 16 40 ☁️⚠️ | 17 40 ☁️⚠️ | 18 40 ☁️⚠️ | 19 30 ☁️⚠️ | 20 40 |
Peak 8h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 11.1 · BL top 140 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 3277 m · 0°C at 3410 m · Pro score 62/100 · sun 27° over slope
2026-04-21❌ Not recommended · peak 21 at 14h
- Cobertura nubosa >85% — sin radiación para disparar
- Cloud suck alto (100/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
| 08 20 ☁️⚠️ | 09 20 ☁️⚠️ | 10 20 ☁️⚠️ | 11 15 | 12 16 ☁️⚠️ | 13 10 | 14 21 | 15 21 | 16 21 | 17 21 | 18 15 | 19 13 🏔️ | 20 15 |
Peak 14h: CAPE 60 J/kg · LI -0.1 · BL top 1415 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 1702 m · 0°C at 2360 m · Pro score 50/100 · sun 43° 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: 08:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 9.3°C · Td: -5.8°C
LCL (cloud base): 1887 m
BL top: 140 m
0°C level: 3410 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 | 0.81 | 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
There is a large flat set up area behind launch. There are two launch areas on each side of the cabin, with a larger one on the south side. There is only room for one to lay out at a time however.
Rules and notes
None.
Pilot comments
This is one of the favorite sites for Bay Area pilots. It is a good place to learn thermalling, with P4 sponsors. Small-scale XCs are the norm, running up and down and across Dunlap valley. For longer XCs you must cross a few miles of rolling hills with weak lift and occasionally spotty landing options. Dunlap is a popular site for BAPA's XC League events, at least twice a year.
Nearby sites
Tollhouse (49) · Mammoth (17) · Lumreau (33) · Springville - Slick Rock (3) · Alabama Hills (3) · McGee (Owens Valley) (47)