Chalchihuapan - Puebla
📍 Puebla , Santa Isabel Cholula · Nearest city: San Pablo Ahuatempa (3 km)
59 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 2336 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
18.96320, -98.34210Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:20 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Very favorable day for XC, cloud base ~1218 m, wind 15 km/h, precipitation 0.9 mm.
base ~1218m · wind 15 km/h · precip 0.9mmNot recommended for flying, cloud base ~848 m, wind 16 km/h, precipitation 5.2 mm.
base ~848m · wind 16 km/h · precip 5.2mmNot recommended for flying, cloud base ~868 m, wind 20 km/h, precipitation 5.2 mm.
base ~868m · wind 20 km/h · precip 5.2mmComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-21🌟 Exceptional day · peak 80 at 13h
⏰ Useful window: 12:00 – 17:00
| 08 48 | 09 58 | 10 58 | 11 70 | 12 70 | 13 80 | 14 80 | 15 75 🏔️ | 16 70 🏔️ | 17 68 | 18 80 | 19 29 | 20 25 |
Peak 13h: CAPE 190 J/kg · LI -2.3 · BL top 1765 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 3523 m · 0°C at 4950 m · Pro score 66/100 · sun 70° 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: 13:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 19.3°C · Td: 9.8°C
LCL (cloud base): 1187 m
BL top: 1765 m
0°C level: 4950 m
Approximate profile from surface variables + synoptic levels. Red lines = temperature, dashed blue = dew point. Orange bands = detected inversions.
🌬 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) | 2 | Low |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.98 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.61 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 2320 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 11.4° |
| Slope aspect | 340° (N) |
| Hemisphere | north — Orientation unfavorable for direct solar thermals |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
South oriented saddle 350 meters over valley.
Rules and notes
None.
Pilot comments
Contact locals for advice, a ride and/or good company. Midday thermals work year round but cloudbase is low with common afternoon OD & storms May - September. Starts to dry out in October, with strong thermals and XC possibilities best Nov - Feb. Inconsistent XC conditions. Late afternoon soaring is a good bet year-round.
Nearby sites
San Bernardino Chalchihuapan (54) · Izta Volcano (9) · Tepoztlan (47) · Despegue Bistro LZ (5) · El Picacho - Malinalco (60) · Despegue Bistro (65)