Merlo
📍 San Luis · Nearest city: Merlo (10 km)
54 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 2102 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
-32.40530, -64.93370Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:27 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Not recommended for flying, cloud base ~179 m, wind 10 km/h.
base ~179m · wind 10 km/hFlyable day, decent conditions, cloud base ~370 m, wind 8 km/h.
base ~370m · wind 8 km/h · precip 0.4mmVery favorable day for XC, cloud base ~286 m, wind 12 km/h.
base ~286m · wind 12 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 30 at 18h
- Very stable day (CAPE<50, LI>2) — no thermals
- Cloud cover >85% — no radiation to trigger thermals
| 08 20 | 09 20 | 10 20 | 11 20 | 12 20 | 13 20 | 14 20 | 15 20 | 16 20 | 17 20 | 18 30 | 19 30 | 20 30 |
Peak 18h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 5.0 · BL top 770 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 2439 m · 0°C at 3980 m · Pro score 44/100
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: 18:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 8.6°C · Td: 5.9°C
LCL (cloud base): 337 m
BL top: 770 m
0°C level: 3980 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) | 8 | High |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.77 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.25 | Slope faces north in southern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 2100 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 10.0° |
| Slope aspect | 262° (W) |
| Hemisphere | south — Orientation unfavorable for direct solar thermals |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
Paved road to 2700ft vertical launch overlooking the resort town of Merlo 4 options for takeoff
Rules and notes
P2
Pilot comments
must see / a classic
Nearby sites
El mirador de los condores (61) · Despegue SAT (61) · Nina Paula (58) · SFMO (32) · San Jorge (47) · Pan de Azucar (19)