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Everyone is right on with the answers...some other real-life things to consider....
A good alternate could also have...
- wx that is not downwind of forecast movement (consider backtracking for an alternate if necessary - especially for east bound flights with frontal movement)
- multiple runways
- multiple approaches
- if you are using GPS some non-GPS approaches (regs)
- accomodations nearby (better to be comfy in a hotel room than freezing in your a/c when the FBO is closed and try to T/O in crappy weather - you are much more likely to develop get-home-itis if you can't relax and wait the wx out)
Happy flying!
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A BIG thing in my alternate strategy is if the airport has a control tower that will be open at the time you think you might need to divert there. I want to make sure somebody knows that I'm still out there!