Caron Sud
📍 Rhone-Alpes , Departement de la Savoie · Nearest city: Val Thorens (4 km)
62 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 3140 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
45.26450, 6.55800Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:17 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Flyable day, decent conditions, cloud base ~1438 m, wind 21 km/h.
base ~1438m · wind 21 km/hFlyable day, decent conditions, cloud base ~733 m, strong wind (28 km/h).
base ~733m · wind 28 km/hVery favorable day for XC, cloud base ~1080 m, wind 10 km/h.
base ~1080m · wind 10 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-21❌ Not recommended · peak 55 at 16h
- Very stable day (CAPE<50, LI>2) — no thermals
- High cloud suck (87/100) — base below freezing with CU
| 08 30 ☁️⚠️ | 09 30 ☁️⚠️ | 10 30 ☁️⚠️ | 11 30 ☁️⚠️ | 12 50 ☁️⚠️ | 13 30 ☁️⚠️ | 14 30 ☁️⚠️ | 15 30 ☁️⚠️ | 16 55 ☁️⚠️ | 17 55 ☁️⚠️ | 18 55 ☁️⚠️ | 19 55 ☁️⚠️ | 20 50 ☁️⚠️ |
Peak 16h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 3.3 · BL top 1295 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 3977 m · 0°C at 2560 m · Pro score 74/100 · 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: 16:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 0.9°C · Td: -5.8°C
LCL (cloud base): 837 m
BL top: 1295 m
0°C level: 2560 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 | 7 km/h NW | gust 31 | 10 km/h NW | gust 27 | 12 km/h NW | gust 29 |
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) | 5 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.77 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.57 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
Under beginning of Black Slope of Caron, a little walk from Cable Car Station
Rules and notes
NEVER TAKE OFF ON OPEN SLOPE NEVER LAND ON OPEN SLOPE
Pilot comments
http://www.valthorens.com/hiver-fr/val-thorens/live/balises-meteo.59.html winds in real time (no average winds) The winds in 'Moraine' are stonger cause Venturi of the Glacier du Col.
Nearby sites
Caron Ouest (56) · Caron Nord (56) · Les 2 lacs (38) · Mont de la chambre (52) · Pointe de la Masse (61) · Modane - valfrejus (49)