Kagel (Sylmar)
📍 California , Los Angeles County · Nearest city: San Fernando (8 km)
58 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 1057 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
34.33330, -118.38500Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:21 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Not recommended for flying, cloud base ~377 m, strong wind (29 km/h), precipitation 1.5 mm.
base ~377m · wind 29 km/h · precip 1.5mmMarginal conditions, cloud base ~2220 m, wind 15 km/h.
base ~2220m · wind 15 km/hNot recommended for flying, cloud base ~2445 m, wind 19 km/h.
base ~2445m · wind 19 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 40 at 8h
- Cloud cover >85% — no radiation to trigger thermals
- High cloud suck (80/100) — base below freezing with CU
| 08 40 | 09 40 ☁️⚠️ | 10 30 ☁️⚠️ | 11 30 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 12 27 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 13 14 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 14 20 🏔️ | 15 20 🏔️ | 16 35 🏔️ | 17 35 | 18 25 | 19 25 🏔️ | 20 35 🏔️ |
Peak 8h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 13.1 · BL top 480 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 2919 m · 0°C at 3030 m · Pro score 62/100 · sun 28° 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: 08:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 10.8°C · Td: -4.1°C
LCL (cloud base): 1862 m
BL top: 480 m
0°C level: 3030 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) | 4 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.86 | 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 |
Takeoff description
Grass area. large enough for a few wings.
Pilot comments
Strong thermals along the spine to the right of launch. Site dangers: http://www.shga.com/dangeroussiteinfo.asp Other Kagel websites: Jerome Daoust: http://www.expandingknowledge.com/Jerome/PG/Site/Kagel/Main.htm
Nearby sites
cleared approach (5) · Sylmar Hang Gliding Association (5) · The 1500 (36) · Mount Lukens (29) · Lake Elizabeth (21) · Avenue L (1)