Turrialba
📍 Cartago · Nearest city: Turrialba (10 km)
54 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 1607 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
9.96070, -83.74850Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:27 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Very favorable day for XC, cloud base ~436 m, wind 14 km/h.
base ~436m · wind 14 km/hNot recommended for flying, cloud base ~277 m, wind 13 km/h, precipitation 2.6 mm.
base ~277m · wind 13 km/h · precip 2.6mmVery favorable day for XC, cloud base ~362 m, wind 8 km/h, precipitation 1.3 mm.
base ~362m · wind 8 km/h · precip 1.3mmComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-21⚠️ Marginal · peak 63 at 13h
- Cloud cover >85% — no radiation to trigger thermals
⏰ Useful window: 11:00 – 15:00
| 08 40 | 09 45 | 10 45 | 11 53 | 12 53 | 13 63 | 14 48 | 15 63 | 16 53 | 17 53 | 18 53 | 19 50 | 20 50 |
Peak 13h: CAPE 100 J/kg · LI -0.7 · BL top 1740 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 2019 m · 0°C at 4610 m · Pro score 56/100 · sun 64° 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: 18.1°C · Td: 14.8°C
LCL (cloud base): 412 m
BL top: 1740 m
0°C level: 4610 m
Approximate profile from surface variables + synoptic levels. Red lines = temperature, dashed blue = dew point. Orange bands = detected inversions.
🌬 Daily wind (next days)
Daily summary (10m wind). Full hour × altitude chart is being added progressively.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 3 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.73 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.62 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 1602 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 12.7° |
| Slope aspect | 63° (NE) |
| Hemisphere | north — Orientation unfavorable for direct solar thermals |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
Big easy grass area
Rules and notes
Utilizar casco y radio freq 144.620
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