Dominical - Escaleras - C.R.
📍 San Jose · Nearest city: San Isidro (20 km)
55 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 519 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
9.23783, -83.81770Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-19 16:13 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Día muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~601 m, viento 10 km/h.
base ~601m · wind 10 km/hDía muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~627 m, viento 9 km/h.
base ~627m · wind 9 km/hDía muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~568 m, viento 10 km/h.
base ~568m · wind 10 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-20✅ Flyable · peak 95 at 11h
⏰ Useful window: 08:00 – 17:00
| 08 70 | 09 88 | 10 88 | 11 95 | 12 95 | 13 95 | 14 95 | 15 90 | 16 95 | 17 85 | 18 80 | 19 85 | 20 83 |
Peak 11h: CAPE 600 J/kg · LI -2.0 · BL top 685 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 1156 m · 0°C at 4970 m · Pro score 75/100 · sun 59° over slope
2026-04-21✅ Flyable · peak 95 at 9h
⏰ Useful window: 08:00 – 16:00
| 08 83 | 09 95 | 10 95 | 11 95 | 12 95 | 13 85 | 14 95 | 15 95 | 16 95 | 17 85 | 18 83 | 19 88 | 20 83 |
Peak 9h: CAPE 910 J/kg · LI -2.0 · BL top 540 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 1044 m · 0°C at 4920 m · Pro score 74/100 · sun 32° over slope
Hourly flyability (0–100). ⛈️ = storm risk · ☁️⚠️ = cloud suck · 🏔️ = active ridge lift. CAPE = convective energy, LI = stability, BL top = thermal ceiling, w* = estimated dry thermal velocity. Source: Open-Meteo (ECMWF/GFS/ICON blend model).
Estimated vertical profile (Sounding)
Reference time: 11:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 29.0°C · Td: 23.9°C
LCL (cloud base): 637 m
BL top: 685 m
0°C level: 4970 m
Approximate profile from surface variables + synoptic levels. Red lines = temperature, dashed blue = dew point. Orange bands = detected inversions.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 5 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.85 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.51 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 520 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 20.0° |
| Slope aspect | 318° (NW) |
| Hemisphere | north — Orientation unfavorable for direct solar thermals |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
The take-off location is located at 750 meters above sea level in the mountains just behind Dominicalito beach.
Nearby sites
Bahía Ballena (58) · Platanares (2) · La Rana Roja (53) · Rivas Alex's Launch (61) · Cerro Pelón (47) · Rivas (46)