A star-shaped massif
Glacial valleys radiate from Puy Mary and the Plomb: each slope behaves differently. Valley winds can contradict the synoptic wind.
Wind, sounding, beacons and airspace: everything you need to prepare a flight in the Monts du Cantal, on a single page.
Windy map centred on Plomb du Cantal. Scroll through the hours at the bottom of the map; the detailed forecast for the Plomb is shown below it.
Forecast profile of temperature (red), dew point (blue) and wind aloft. Pick the day and the hour.
Loading AROME data…
Temperature Dew point Dry adiabat Moist adiabat Plomb du Cantal 1,855 m
Data: Météo-France AROME model via Open-Meteo. Indicative forecast: always compare with beacon readings and the sky.
Before heading up to take-off, check what the beacons are actually measuring. The south of the massif lacks them: that is one of the association's projects.
The Massif Central is crossed by the French military very-low-altitude network (RTBA), used by fighter jets at very low height. When a zone is active, it is closed to free flight, whatever your height.
Check activations the evening before or on the morning itself, using the AZBA map published by the French aeronautical information service (SIA).
Glacial valleys radiate from Puy Mary and the Plomb: each slope behaves differently. Valley winds can contradict the synoptic wind.
Exposed summits, little shelter: the forecast wind often strengthens during the day. Watch the beacons and the trend rather than the moment.
Pastures, herds and fences: close the gates, never land among the animals and stick to the agreed access routes.