Zaachila
📍 Oaxaca · Nearest city: Santa Ines del Monte (1 km)
62 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 2314 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
16.93280, -96.85320Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:17 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Very favorable day for XC, cloud base ~1900 m, wind 7 km/h.
base ~1900m · wind 7 km/hNot recommended for flying, cloud base ~1131 m, wind 7 km/h, precipitation 12.1 mm.
base ~1131m · wind 7 km/h · precip 12.1mmNot recommended for flying, cloud base ~994 m, wind 8 km/h, precipitation 5.0 mm.
base ~994m · wind 8 km/h · precip 5.0mmComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-21⚠️ Marginal · peak 68 at 11h
- Cloud cover >85% — no radiation to trigger thermals
⏰ Useful window: 15:00 – 16:00
| 08 55 | 09 50 | 10 45 | 11 68 | 12 63 ☁️⚠️ | 13 63 ☁️⚠️ | 14 68 | 15 63 | 16 68 | 17 58 | 18 68 | 19 63 | 20 63 |
Peak 11h: CAPE 10 J/kg · LI -0.5 · BL top 1690 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 3951 m · 0°C at 5060 m · Pro score 80/100 · sun 77° 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: 11:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 18.5°C · Td: 5.4°C
LCL (cloud base): 1637 m
BL top: 1690 m
0°C level: 5060 m
Approximate profile from surface variables + synoptic levels. Red lines = temperature, dashed blue = dew point. Orange bands = detected inversions.
Wind chart — altitude × time
Color: green < 20 km/h · yellow 20-30 · red >40. Arrows point to where the wind is blowing. Each column = 1 hour. 4 altitudes: 10m surface, 80m first thermal, 1500m (850 hPa) thermal cruise, 3000m (700 hPa) top.
Wind next days (Open-Meteo model)
Wind rose 10m — 2026-04-21
| Date | Morning 08-12h | Midday 12-16h | Evening 16-20h | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-21 | 5 km/h N | gust 21 | 4 km/h N | gust 23 | 4 km/h S | gust 23 |
Colors: green < 15 km/h (optimal) · orange 15-25 · red >25 (flying not recommended). ⚠️ = shear >25 km/h between 10m and 850 hPa (potentially broken thermals).
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 | 0.77 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.50 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 2321 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 7.7° |
| Slope aspect | 48° (NE) |
| Hemisphere | north — Orientation unfavorable for direct solar thermals |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
Launch is oriented to the E and is flyable with NE, E & SE wind 2220m. asl
Rules and notes
if you flight to the E, don´t go farther than Elefante Rosa, otherwise you will be in controlled and restringed airport area.
Pilot comments
Just be carefull with the wind if it comes from the SE go and reach thermals in to your left side and don´t go too much behind or you will find rotor. If it comes fron NE do all the contrary.
Nearby sites
Coetzala (43) · Naranjal (50) · Fortin de las Flores (59) · Loma Maria (41) · Alto Lucero (10) · Chalchihuapan - Puebla (59)