Apìa, El Zarzo
📍 Risaralda · Nearest city: Apia (3 km)
54 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 1876 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
5.08108, -75.92590Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-19 16:16 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
No recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~561 m, viento 6 km/h, precipitación 12.7 mm.
base ~561m · wind 6 km/h · precip 12.7mmNo recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~413 m, viento 6 km/h, precipitación 8.4 mm.
base ~413m · wind 6 km/h · precip 8.4mmNo recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~419 m, viento 6 km/h, precipitación 11.2 mm.
base ~419m · wind 6 km/h · precip 11.2mmComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-20⚠️ Marginal · peak 73 at 19h
- Cobertura nubosa >85% — sin radiación para disparar
⏰ Useful window: 12:00 – 16:00
| 08 58 | 09 58 | 10 53 | 11 60 | 12 60 | 13 70 | 14 70 | 15 8 | 16 9 | 17 14 | 18 14 | 19 73 | 20 63 |
Peak 19h: CAPE 110 J/kg · LI -0.6 · BL top 30 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 1988 m · 0°C at 4990 m · Pro score 43/100
2026-04-21⚠️ Marginal · peak 80 at 12h
- Cobertura nubosa >85% — sin radiación para disparar
⏰ Useful window: 09:00 – 15:00
| 08 63 | 09 53 | 10 63 | 11 63 | 12 80 | 13 70 | 14 10 | 15 8 | 16 14 | 17 22 | 18 12 | 19 10 | 20 10 |
Peak 12h: CAPE 120 J/kg · LI -2.2 · BL top 740 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 2638 m · 0°C at 4800 m · Pro score 63/100 · sun 75° 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: 19:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 11.7°C · Td: 10.8°C
LCL (cloud base): 112 m
BL top: 30 m
0°C level: 4990 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) | 12 | High |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.80 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.17 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 1880 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 11.0° |
| Slope aspect | 121° (SE) |
| Hemisphere | north — Slope facing the daytime sun (favorable for thermals) |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
Two take offs close to each other
Rules and notes
If you bomb out, the safest place to land might be close to the river bed in the valley south west to the take off. Ample meadows
Pilot comments
Lot's of coffee in the surrounding hills
Nearby sites
El Brillante, San José (54) · Risaralda -Reyes de la colina (66) · Wayra, Ansermanuevo (59) · Villa Luca, Ansermanuevo (69) · chinchina (3) · Despegue Filadelfia (40)