Ballard Down
📍 England , Dorset · Nearest city: Swanage (3 km)
14 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 53 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
50.62990, -1.94532Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 02:42 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Not recommended for flying, cloud base ~766 m, strong wind (27 km/h).
base ~766m · wind 27 km/hNot recommended for flying, cloud base ~1263 m, strong wind (35 km/h).
base ~1263m · wind 35 km/hMarginal conditions, cloud base ~2230 m, wind 22 km/h.
base ~2230m · wind 22 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
🌬 Daily wind (next days)
Daily summary (10m wind). Full hour × altitude chart is being added progressively.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 0 | Low |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.00 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.45 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Pilot comments
initialy imported from International Leonardo
Nearby sites
Kimmeridge (6) · Boscombe cliffs (14) · Barton on Sea (8) · Ringstead (6) · Taddiford gap (14) · White Horse (10)