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: 2026-04-21 01:28 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Not recommended for flying, cloud base ~362 m, wind 3 km/h, precipitation 7.9 mm.
base ~362m · wind 3 km/h · precip 7.9mmNot recommended for flying, cloud base ~550 m, wind 8 km/h, precipitation 4.1 mm.
base ~550m · wind 8 km/h · precip 4.1mmVery favorable day for XC, cloud base ~643 m, wind 7 km/h.
base ~643m · wind 7 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-21⚠️ Marginal · peak 80 at 12h
- Cloud cover >85% — no radiation to trigger thermals
⏰ 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: 12:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 16.2°C · Td: 10.1°C
LCL (cloud base): 762 m
BL top: 740 m
0°C level: 4800 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) | 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)