Thermals & Wind

Aside from sun-facing slopes, the windward sides of hills are often the most likely places to look for lift.  This is usually true of clouds as well, especially if the sun is weak due to haze, high thin cover, or low sun angle.  It’s even more true of very large cloud masses or thermal streets, and the shade they produce.  Conversely, downwind or down-sun sides of hills, clouds or shaded areas are places to expect sink.  Where wind and sun are coming from the same direction, the windward/sunward side of any hill or cumulus is nearly always a best bet.  If forced to choose between sun and wind, go with whichever seems to be exerting the strongest influence (e.g. high clear sunlight with light winds, or strong breeze in low, hazy sunlight).