Rivas Alex's Launch
📍 San Jose · Nearest city: San Isidro (9 km)
61 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 1617 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
9.45381, -83.68110Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-19 16:07 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Día muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~1493 m, viento 6 km/h.
base ~1493m · wind 6 km/hDía muy favorable para XC, base de cúmulos ~1076 m, viento 7 km/h.
base ~1076m · wind 7 km/hDía volable, condiciones decentes, base de cúmulos ~948 m, viento 5 km/h.
base ~948m · wind 5 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 68 at 13h
| 08 30 | 09 30 | 10 55 | 11 55 | 12 60 | 13 68 | 14 68 | 15 58 | 16 58 | 17 58 | 18 63 | 19 55 | 20 50 |
Peak 13h: CAPE 10 J/kg · LI -0.9 · BL top 1460 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 3192 m · 0°C at 4900 m · Pro score 64/100 · sun 67° over slope
2026-04-21✅ Flyable · peak 63 at 16h
| 08 55 | 09 50 | 10 55 | 11 58 | 12 53 | 13 53 | 14 60 | 15 60 | 16 63 | 17 63 | 18 58 | 19 55 | 20 55 |
Peak 16h: CAPE 10 J/kg · LI -1.5 · BL top 515 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 2554 m · 0°C at 5030 m · Pro score 56/100 · sun 31° 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: 13:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 23.6°C · Td: 11.0°C
LCL (cloud base): 1575 m
BL top: 1460 m
0°C level: 4900 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) | 11 | High |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.84 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.39 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 1697 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 18.9° |
| Slope aspect | 2° (N) |
| Hemisphere | north — Orientation unfavorable for direct solar thermals |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
Alex's Launch
Rules and notes
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Pilot comments
The best site for XC flights in Costa Rica.
Nearby sites
Rivas (46) · Zion's launch (37) · Palmital H&F (30) · Cerro Pelón (47) · Bahía Ballena (58) · Dominical - Escaleras - C.R. (55)