Bahía Ballena
📍 San Jose · Nearest city: Daniel Flores (18 km)
58 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 577 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
9.21114, -83.77210Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:21 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Very favorable day for XC, cloud base ~583 m, wind 11 km/h.
base ~583m · wind 11 km/hVery favorable day for XC, cloud base ~523 m, wind 7 km/h.
base ~523m · wind 7 km/hVery favorable day for XC, cloud base ~533 m, wind 8 km/h.
base ~533m · wind 8 km/h · precip 0.5mmComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
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 855 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 1102 m · 0°C at 4920 m · Pro score 74/100 · sun 34° 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: 09:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 28.0°C · Td: 23.8°C
LCL (cloud base): 524 m
BL top: 855 m
0°C level: 4920 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) | 7 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.82 | 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 | 581 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 24.6° |
| Slope aspect | 333° (NW) |
| Hemisphere | north — Orientation unfavorable for direct solar thermals |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
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