Panajachel
📍 Solola · Nearest city: Santa Catarina Palopo (2 km)
61 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 2064 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
14.73130, -91.12830Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-19 16:06 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Día volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~1413 m, viento 20 km/h.
base ~1413m · wind 20 km/hDía muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~1351 m, viento 14 km/h.
base ~1351m · wind 14 km/hNo recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~740 m, viento 12 km/h, precipitación 4.8 mm.
base ~740m · wind 12 km/h · precip 4.8mmComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-20✅ Flyable · peak 70 at 18h
⏰ Useful window: 14:00 – 14:00
| 08 55 | 09 60 | 10 68 | 11 53 | 12 63 | 13 60 | 14 60 | 15 60 | 16 60 | 17 60 | 18 70 | 19 63 | 20 55 |
Peak 18h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI -2.1 · BL top 50 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 3176 m · 0°C at 5030 m · Pro score 62/100
2026-04-21✅ Flyable · peak 75 at 13h
⏰ Useful window: 13:00 – 14:00
| 08 50 | 09 50 | 10 60 | 11 68 | 12 68 | 13 75 | 14 60 | 15 70 | 16 73 | 17 63 | 18 53 | 19 63 | 20 58 |
Peak 13h: CAPE 60 J/kg · LI -2.2 · BL top 510 m · w* 4.7 m/s · cloud base 3826 m · 0°C at 4620 m · Pro score 64/100 · 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: 18:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 17.8°C · Td: 8.9°C
LCL (cloud base): 1112 m
BL top: 50 m
0°C level: 5030 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) | 5 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.91 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.51 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 2069 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 4.3° |
| Slope aspect | 111° (E) |
| Hemisphere | north — Orientation unfavorable for direct solar thermals |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
On lake Atitlan Above the town of Santa Catarina just south of Pana by 2K. Can take a taxi to launch for about 5-7 dollars then pay $2. to launch at the seminary. Ridge soaring by a lake makes glassy conditions with some 200mps cloudsuck. There is another launch at the Mirador (north of town) access by bus for $1.
Rules and notes
P3 site
Pilot comments
got many 1 hour plus flights with 3 hr maximum An acro pilots dream, get high, do some maneuvers over the lake then fly back into the ridge and climb out again
Nearby sites
San Andres Panajachel (63) · San Pedro (49) · Atitlán Volcano (26) · Paramotor Club (34) · San Andres Itzapa (4) · Chipoton (35)