UPDATE: Great Thermal Soaring SW U.S. - 4th July Weekend

Hi Jim,

Today, Fri 07/01 was the first day of a building warm core high
pressure aloft. Traditionally, there's a lot of subsidence capping
inversions which makes it very poor day. Noted a flight out of Bishop
where the best altitude on the Whites was only about 13,500 with a lot
of close ridge flying.

Saturday should be a better with far less capping of thermal heights.
Few cu markers.

But.. Sunday and Monday still look outstanding. On the Southern Sierra
near Owens Peak max thermal heights from XCSKies GFS model look like
this:

Sat 7/02 - 14,100
Sun 7/03 - 15,700
Mon 7/04 - 17,000msl

SW of Lone Pine on Sierras (Switch Backs)

Sat 7/02 - 16,000
Sun 7/03 - 18,300
Mon 7/04 - 20,000msl

North Mono Lk on Potato Peak

Sat 7/02 - 21,900
Sun 7/03 - 23,500
Mon 7/04 - 24,000msl

The above heights will probably be limited by Cu cloud bases around
19-21K.

A weak Monsoon moisture surge was mentioned by the Las Vegas NWS
office Sat night in their south area... probably reaching the Southern
Sierra & SW NV by Mon afternoon. Still do not think that thunderstorms
will be a problem even on Monday afternoon through the task area. If
they form they will be with very high bases... say 19,000msl between
Bishop and Mount Grant (Hawthorne, NV).

So, Saturday should be better with a few cu markers. Sunday should
have lots of CU. Monday should have the entire area even up to Minden
covered with high based Cu in the afternoon and an isolated high based
thunderstorms.

Sounds like 1000km triangle weather to me... maybe even 1250+ ??

Good to outstanding weather continues through Fri 07/08.

Walt Rogers, WX