Wave Forecast
The XC Therm wave forecast provides detailed predictions of lee waves for wave soaring.
You can identify where, when and at what altitude usable lee waves occur.
Wind, altitude and climb can be analyzed with precise 2-day forecasts.
The wave forecast helps you identify lift lines and good conditions for wave flights in the Alps and the UK.
Read here what experienced wave pilots say about the XC Therm wave forecast.
Detailed and intuitive maps: For ideal flight planning
Waves in the Jura
Our model also resolves less classical wave situations. Example: west wind waves
Wave forecast for the UK. Example: Waves in Scotland
The wave forecasts are available to all XC Therm subscribers at no extra charge. They are specifically tailored to the needs of glider pilots, but can also be useful for paragliding flight preparation, e.g. for identifying ridge lift, lift lines, or downdraft and lee areas. To display the wave forecast, enable the "Show wave forecast" setting.
Reliable and precise
Wave flying requires the right combination of wind, terrain and stability – a major challenge for forecasting.
With modern, high-resolution models, waves can be predicted reliably.
Fast and intuitive
Like all XC Therm products, our wave forecast maps are intuitive and mobile-friendly. They reliably show you where you can find lift.
- For 10 different altitudes
- Forecast period of 2 days
- Optimized for mobile and desktop
- Available in your cockpit
The wave forecast is included in all XC Therm subscriptions.
For the Alps and beyond
We offer wave forecasts for the Alps and the UK. Additionally, waves in mid-range mountains such as the Black Forest, Jura or Massif Central are covered in the forecasts. Mountain ranges like the Pyrenees or the Apennines are partially covered.
More than just waves
Besides waves, our vertical wind forecast maps also display other phenomena relevant for flight planning on thermal days.
- Convergences
- Dynamic lift
- Downdraft and lee areas
- Fronts and thunderstorms
Note: Small-scale downdraft and lee areas cannot be represented in the model.
Available in your cockpit
In addition to the display in the XC Therm app, you can also access our wave forecasts in flight apps and navigation devices. These allow you to download the forecasts before the flight, so you are independent of the connection quality during the flight.
XC Therm wave forecasts are currently available in the following navigation systems:
- XCSoar - Instructions
- OpenSoar - in progress
Is your favourite device missing? Contact the manufacturer with your request. We are ready for the integration. We are planning integrations into further navigation systems.
Field-tested by experienced wave pilots
1100 km wave flight in the Western Alps on 27.10.25, weglide.org/flight/940969, wave forecast for 5000 m at 9 UTC
"It rained heavily in the Grenoble region at the end of October 2025. With the help of the XC Therm Wave forecast, I decided to go flying in Gap for two days. The result: two beautiful days under the sun and in the waves of the Southern Alps."
Thomas Puthod
Glider pilot and record holderWave flight with west wind on 26.10.25, weglide.org/flight/939521, wave forecast for 3000 m at 15 UTC
"We have been experimenting for many years with flying as far into the Alps as possible during west wind storms. From around Garmisch-Partenkirchen onward, pure ridge lift is often insufficient for further flight, so we frequently rely on waves to pass the Zugspitze and continue southwest. Modern forecasting tools have recently made this considerably easier for us - the new XC Therm wave forecast predicted the best line on Sunday, including its strongest spots adjacent to Daniel, Grubigstein and Heiterwand, perfectly. The end of the lift line just before Landeck was also correctly present in the wave forecast."
Benjamin Bachmaier
Glider pilot and XC Therm AmbassadorWave flight in the Jura on 26.10.25, weglide.org/flight/939236, wave forecast for 3000 m at 12 UTC
"Thanks to your wave forecast, I had a very cool day lately. No other wave forecast predicted such a nice wave so I was not sure if it will really work. But I decided to give it a try based on your prediction and the cloud forecast, as this was also showing the "foehn hole" and wave clouds along the jura. Your prediction of the wave position at different altitudes was super accurate."
Reynald Mumenthaler
Glider pilot and XC Therm Ambassador1000 km wave flight in the Eastern Alps on 23.04.26, weglide.org/flight/1051066, Wave forecast for 5000m at 13 UTC
"The wave in northerly winds doesn't produce particularly strong climbs, but there are great lines if you fly them well. This is only possible with XC Therm: it's incredible how precisely small wave areas and corners in the lines are modelled. Only through these small course corrections can you achieve good average speeds over hundreds of kilometres."
Philip Heinrich
Glider pilot and XC Therm Ambassador