Cloud base altitude and thermal strength vs time of day

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lianpu
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Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2020 1:02 pm

Cloud base altitude and thermal strength vs time of day

Post by lianpu » Mon Mar 22, 2021 12:35 pm

Does Condor simulate normal increase and decrease of cloud base height and general thermal strength during the day? If yes what is the peak time? And related, is local time always aligned with sun angle, meaning at 12 local the sun is always "highest", and if yes, where in the scenery? The start airfield?

Sorry, many questions. :shock:

Obviously trying to improve my start window tactics here :P

Disclaimer: :D Yes, read the "About", the scenery doc, and searched a bit in the forum but did not find anything. I do understand that sun angle on slopes does influence thermal strength.

Thanks a lot for any input!

Christoph

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wickid
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Location: Venlo, NL
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Re: Cloud base altitude and thermal strength vs time of day

Post by wickid » Mon Mar 22, 2021 12:42 pm

Yes Condor simulates this.

The sun is in the highest position at 12:00 at the start airfield. If you want to see the variation in cloudbase you have to set the time earlier in the day. It is maxed already at 12:00 in the scenery.

https://www.condorsoaring.com/about/
PH-1504, KOE

lianpu
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2020 1:02 pm

Re: Cloud base altitude and thermal strength vs time of day

Post by lianpu » Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:23 pm

Wickid, thank you for the quick feedback. Best regards, Christoph

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wickid
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Re: Cloud base altitude and thermal strength vs time of day

Post by wickid » Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:13 pm

The sun angle also changes depending on the date you set. If you select winter the sun will be lower in the sky (less thermals) and the days will also be shorter. The sun angle also depends on the scenery latitude.

Condor defaults to the longest day at 12:00 if you create a new task
PH-1504, KOE

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