The wind at take off at 8.30am is SW (over the back).   Not too strong, and winds around the province are similarly light. Models show at least 20km/hr at take of level and the upper level instability may lead to Congestus build up during the day with some isolated storms.  Convergence likely well to the north of the mountains.  The section across the route shows greater thermic potential and cloud build up in this area.

The winds may come on at Peña Negra but we will probably go earlier to Lastra to ensure an early take off.  Winds likely to be light N at end of day permitting evening flight (if not storm activity in the Corneja Valley).

22:55

Well, light winds all day (though wave at somestage) and quick build up of altostratus and Cirrus.  Wind light and off on all the hills.  A late afternoon atempt at Lastra saw Dirk nad Andy safely off, but Andy misjudging his landing and ending up in a very large Oak tree (no injury to himself) Thanks to action man Dirk, a saw and a ladder, some hours later the glider was down and we were  back in time for the 2nd half of Spain Vs Croatia.

Noon 18th

Skew T

Possible XC track

Conditions along track

Great looking day, but not a sensible option for flying due to winds.  An upper level trough is going to make the clouds the most important issue over the next few days.  The winds are looking fine, but Congestus clouds may make life a little over exciting.

Monday 12:00hrs

3 day forecast

Tomorrow the wind is quite S of W and a good track N of all the airspace

Airspace routes

Not  a disimilar scenario to the last few days with fronts skimming the North of Spain and the deep depression over the UK.  Ligher W winds today, but still near 20km/hr.  Higher base with very good quality thermals and clouds at around 3200m later in the day with a posibility of some Congestus development.  Convergence likely.  On the thermal tops map you will see the far greater thermal potential over the Pass in the Avila (Ambles) valley.

Higher humidity in the morning will give us low cloud on the hill clearing to quickly  as the base rises.

16 June 12:00

Skew T 15:00

Thermal tops

X -Section

What can we try to do today?

Yesterday of course was a 200km+ day for the brave.  The middle aged and cowardly of course landed before things really got exciting.  Today hopefully we need not be so brave (unless the Congestus clouds get very big and close to track) and with the improved thermal heights and less wind a long flight in the Avila direction should be on.  Wind light W at 9am at take off.  We should probably get going up the hill before 11:30am.

14:40

Reasonable thermals to 2400m and wind not much more than 15km/hr, though locally strong at some heights along the mountain.  Only Marek and myself went towards the Pass, Marek bombing at the Cemetery and myself then flying back to land.  An amazing sky to the North and Cu starting to fill in the Corneja Valley.  We may try an XC again at around 5pm if wind does not get up too much as it is a shame to waste such an epic looking day.

23:00

The late afternoon take off went well with just perfect conditions – big easy climbs, though base only 2700m in the end.  Hans Franz and myself went over the Pass, finding a fair amout of wind on the other side though.

Further along the range from Arcones the Liga Centro did a big task, some going beyond their goal to 250km.

Late XC skyscape

Due to a last minute cancellation we now have space for next week.  The weather is looking pretty good according to the local forecast through to Thursday and likely beyond.  W and SW.  Convergence and open disgtance towards Segovia!

Next weeks weather

The deep low pressure still continues over the UK, Belgium and Holland.  Here the winds have reduced from yesterday, though still on the uncomfortable side.  The wind at take off at 8.30am is W.  Readings around the province and on the Plateau behind take off are generally light.

25th June 0000UTM

Skew 15.00hrs

3 day forecast

Track section 16:00hrs

What can we expect

Blue convergence in the Avila valley and strong, somwhat turbulent

Happy on the ground as the wind gets up

climbs.  The wind strength makes only one direction possible, but we must evaluate the risks of crossing the Pass when we reach the Villafranca area :  Strong winds and poor climbs – best to land.  Easy climbs to above 2400m – OK to cross but be prepared for a wild ride on the other side with these conditions.

15:00 Big Air

At take off the wind was a little gusty ad there was not a lot of enthusiasm to fly. It seemed that there was a fair amount of W wind and the Cus showed a lot of drift. Against my better judgement I investigated and found it to be very thermic though only a drift of around 15km/hr around the mountain. Flying upwind and more to the valley the lift was very strong and towards the middle of the valley I was getting up to 25km/hr winds so I landed in the flats at the HG landing. Hans and Marek also took off, finishing their adventure near Villafranca

A weak cold front approaching. Good thermal conditions with climbs above 3000m an some big Cu buid up later in the day. Wind from SW perhaps on limit for paragliding safely. SSW at launch at 9am. Potential for big distance for the brave!
We have to decide if we go to Latra or Peña Negra. Decion time aroun 10:30 -11am

14th June mid day

Thermal

Skew T 15:00

Kayaking and Swimming

No flying today. A bit of flat water Kayaking and swimming at Puente de Congosto.

Spain certainly seems to be getting the best of European weather this week. Generally light winds from the west with expected convergence in the Ambles valley. A good day to fly beyond Avila if luck (and skill) permit and we don´t find too much N wind at low levels at Avila. Probable light cirrus throughout day.
Wind at take off at 9am lightly from SW. Expected trip up the hill around 11.30am.

13th June mid day

Skew T 15:oohrs

Wind and temp along expected track

A Very nice Day

A very nice day. Franz, Stinje, and Eddy, Hans and Christian over the Pass, with Franz and Eddy landing near Avila. Rolf on his Artic 3 made 135km. I unfortunately landed at the pass which is a great shame, but happens now and again.

Eddy

Franz, Rob, Stinje

Tracks 13th June

Post cold frontal conditions. We will miss out on the rain in N Spain as we are south of the passing ocluded front going through today. Winds at various points around us today (Avila, Bejar, Navaredonda) not above 15km/hr. The cloud forming on the mountain sould rise and disapate by mid day. The forecasted thermal heights shoul allow us to cross the Pass, though the northerly component will make flights beyond Avila difficult.
We will go up the hill as soon as there are signs that it is clearing. Provisionally lets be ready for 11am.

12pm 12th June

Skew T 15:00hrs

cross section

3 Day temp forecast

18:15 Update

Good so far today with 2 very thermic flights but a bit breezy and N for going over pass without risk.
Jorge absent today as he has a swollen foot after accidently kicking something hard. Away for a few days I fear. We have Pedro standing in who I hope is getting to grips with the tecnology. Evening flight at 6pm and tandem for me.

Carlos biplaza

Biplaza con Carlos

A westerly flow at all levels and quicly passing fronts with too much wind this morning for safe paragliding. If we look at this evenings skew T then we can see a rotartion to more NW wind and dropping of of speed. Tomorrow and the day after look good with good thermal potential, heights and windspeed.

Plan for today: Go up the hill to await conditions around 7pm. In the meantime I suggest a daytrip to Avila?

Map

X section

Section : Dew point and winds

Data Piedrahita

Skew T 3pm

Skew T 9pm

3 day forecast

21:40 Update

No flying today as the wind kept up, though a nice Cu filled sky.

Blue thermals of good quality to 2600m with a 20km/hr W wind around take off height as the day develops. A reasonable XC day with good potential for flights beyond Avila. Blue convergence likely in the Ambles Valley.
Cirrus present for much of the day but which may slow things down.

Skew T

data

Temp profile along expected track

17:00hrs

Well, we had a reasonable flight for an hour or so with scratchy thermals slowly improving – but also as it improved the wnd increased with the mixing. I landed on purpose with Jaques and Tim near Villafranca as the wind was to strong to cross the pass and Lenticular clouds were starting to form. The others were more sensible flying W or the big spine.

Week Round Up

Here a are some photos to round off the weeks blogging. You´ll need to click on the smaller ones to spot the other gliders (mainly Tim, who was the hero of the week).

Tandem

Avila with Tim

Tim

Epic Ambles Valley

Week 23 Group

Bitel and his bone