Previtemps (Vorhersage-Emagramme)
Probably the most reliable thermal forecast can be made with the Previtemps themselves. Above the link to the forecast Buochs-Locarno. It needs quite some knowhow. Most Previtemp users use it only if day and region are already defined. With the Previtemps not only the base height can be calculated, but also the thermal quality, stable and turbulent layers and much more. The input data are from the ECMWF.
Soaringmeteo
Point forecasts for many launch sites and other important locations. Thanks to the colors, the day quality can be seen quickly. The base altitude is often displayed too low.
Regtherm/Toptask
Regtherm is the father of all thermal forecasts. Toptask is a Java application that presents the Regtherm forecasts for the next 5 days in a very clear way and calculates the cross-country flight potential for several dozen regions of the Alps.
The input data come from the German model ICON, which is why the forecasts of "our" COSMO-E often differ.
The Javatool TopTask is available at www.flugwetter.de (DWD) for 80 Euro.
Meteo-parapente
Very good display, good usability (also on mobile devices), many parameters can be retrieved interactively (cloudiness, wind, emagram). The subscription is 24 Euro/year.
Many tests show that the reliability of the forecasts is quite good. The base altitude is predicted quite reliably in the diagram if you click where you really fly, or where the thermals are about to come off.
Velivole
This RASP is not fed with the free GRF-WRF, but with (EZ-) AROME data. But this site is not for meteo-untrained, because it is very difficult to use and understand.
Paraglidable
This page shows clearly whether you can fly and how good the XC potential is. It does not work with weather models, but with artificial intelligence (AI). The program is fed with flights from the available XC databases and with meteo forecast data. Experiences are still missing.
XC-Skies
Popular, clearly arranged, info on cross-country potential available.
provides about the same prognosis quality as meteoparapente (without having been scientifically investigated). Subscription first free, then 40$/year.
Topmeteo
The provider's vision: "Weather information that everyone understands". Tests show that the quality of the forecasts for the Swiss Alps is medium good, but the site is reasonably easy to understand.
Meteovolo
The website is not for meteo-untrained people, even if the representation of the wind is quite good. The thermal display is very confusing.
Rasp.linta.de
RASP for Germany
