Soaring Guidance
Issued by NWS Pueblo, CO
Issued by NWS Pueblo, CO
386
UXUS97 KPUB 241308
SRGPUB
Soaring Forecast
National Weather Service Pueblo, Colorado
0608 MST Sunday, November 24, 2024
This forecast is for Villa Grove, CO for Sunday, November 24, 2024:
If the trigger temperature of 50.0 F/10.0 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Fair
Maximum rate of lift........................ 238 ft/min (1.2 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 12412 ft MSL (3430 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 49.0 F/9.9 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1415 MST
Time of overdevelopment........................ None
Middle/high clouds during soaring window....... Overcast thin high
Surface winds during soaring window............ 20 mph or less
Height of the -3 thermal index................. 10744 ft MSL (1761 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Monday 11/25....... Poor
Wave Soaring Index............................. Not available
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:55:19 / 16:45:38 MST
Total possible sunshine........... 9 hr 50 min 19 sec (590 min 19 sec)
Altitude of sun at 11:50:29 MST... 30.93 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 11/24/2024 at 0500 MST
Freezing level.................. 9850 ft MSL (868 ft AGL)
Additional freezing level....... 11969 ft MSL (2987 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 22750 ft MSL (13768 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 18904 ft MSL (9922 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... +8.0
K index......................... +8.8
Height Temperature Wind Wind Spd Lapse Rate ConvectionT Thermal Lift Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft deg C deg F Index fpm m/s
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -68.1 -90.6 250 50 26 4.0 2.2 M M M M M
45000 -61.7 -79.1 250 62 32 4.4 2.4 M M M M M
40000 -55.1 -67.2 260 83 43 4.4 2.4 M M M M M
38000 -53.3 -63.9 260 86 44 2.3 1.2 M M M M M
36000 -52.0 -61.6 255 86 44 2.3 1.2 M M M M M
34000 -49.8 -57.6 255 85 44 7.5 4.1 M M M M M
32000 -45.2 -49.4 255 84 43 7.7 4.2 M M M M M
30000 -39.8 -39.6 260 82 42 8.7 4.8 24.1 75.4 11.5 M M
29000 -37.2 -35.0 260 82 42 8.7 4.7 23.6 74.5 11.3 M M
28000 -34.6 -30.3 260 82 42 8.7 4.7 23.3 73.9 11.1 M M
27000 -32.0 -25.6 260 81 42 8.3 4.6 22.9 73.3 11.0 M M
26000 -29.5 -21.1 260 80 41 8.3 4.6 22.3 72.2 10.6 M M
25000 -27.0 -16.6 255 79 41 8.3 4.6 21.8 71.3 10.3 M M
24000 -24.5 -12.1 255 78 40 7.7 4.2 21.4 70.5 10.1 M M
23000 -22.4 -8.3 255 76 39 7.3 4.0 20.4 68.8 9.3 M M
22000 -20.2 -4.4 250 75 39 7.3 4.0 19.6 67.2 8.7 M M
21000 -18.1 -0.6 250 74 38 6.3 3.4 18.7 65.7 8.1 M M
20000 -16.3 2.7 250 70 36 6.1 3.4 17.4 63.3 6.9 M M
19500 -15.4 4.3 255 69 35 6.2 3.4 16.8 62.2 6.4 M M
19000 -14.5 5.9 255 67 34 6.2 3.4 16.2 61.2 5.9 M M
18500 -13.6 7.5 255 65 34 5.7 3.2 15.7 60.3 5.4 M M
18000 -12.9 8.8 255 64 33 5.1 2.8 14.9 58.9 4.7 M M
17500 -12.2 10.0 255 63 32 4.9 2.7 14.2 57.5 4.0 M M
17000 -11.3 11.7 255 62 32 7.2 4.0 13.5 56.4 3.4 M M
16500 -10.3 13.5 255 61 32 7.0 3.9 13.1 55.6 3.0 M M
16000 -9.3 15.3 255 61 31 6.6 3.6 12.7 54.8 2.6 M M
15500 -7.9 17.8 255 58 30 6.0 3.3 11.8 53.3 1.7 M M
15000 -6.8 19.8 255 56 29 9.9 5.5 11.5 52.7 1.4 M M
14500 -5.2 22.6 255 55 28 8.3 4.5 11.6 52.9 1.6 M M
14000 -4.3 24.3 260 53 27 6.9 3.8 11.0 51.8 1.0 M M
13500 -3.0 26.6 260 50 26 8.0 4.4 10.7 51.2 0.8 M M
13000 -1.9 28.6 260 47 24 6.5 3.5 10.3 50.6 0.5 M M
12500 -0.9 30.4 255 42 22 6.3 3.4 9.8 49.6 0.0 M M
12000 0.1 32.2 255 38 19 6.1 3.3 9.3 48.7 -0.5 295 1.5
11750 0.5 32.9 255 36 18 3.8 2.1 8.9 48.0 -0.8 276 1.4
11500 0.7 33.3 255 37 19 2.2 1.2 8.3 47.0 -1.3 262 1.3
11250 0.9 33.6 255 38 20 3.0 1.6 7.8 46.0 -1.8 248 1.3
11000 1.1 34.0 250 40 20 1.5 0.8 7.3 45.1 -2.4 235 1.2
10750 1.1 34.0 250 38 20 -1.9 -1.0 6.5 43.7 -3.1 228 1.2
10500 0.8 33.4 250 36 19 -3.6 -2.0 5.5 41.9 -4.1 228 1.2
10250 0.6 33.1 250 34 17 -2.4 -1.3 4.5 40.2 -5.1 228 1.2
10000 0.3 32.5 245 31 16 -5.8 -3.2 3.6 38.4 -6.1 228 1.2
9750 -0.4 31.3 245 28 14 -11.1 -6.1 2.1 35.8 -7.5 242 1.2
9500 -1.3 29.7 240 24 12 -13.3 -7.3 0.5 32.9 -9.2 262 1.3
9250 -2.4 27.7 235 17 9 -15.8 -8.7 -1.3 29.6 -11.1 288 1.5
9000 -3.5 25.7 225 10 5 -11.1 -6.1 -3.2 26.3 -13.0 314 1.6
8750 M M M M M M M M M M M M
8500 M M M M M M M M M M M M
8250 M M M M M M M M M M M M
8000 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
11/24/2024 at 0800 MST | 11/24/2024 at 1100 MST
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +1.9 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +2.2
CINH... 0.0 K Index... 0.0 | CINH... 0.0 K Index... +2.7
|
Height Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate | Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft | deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -66.2 -87.2 250 58 30 4.3 2.4 | -65.0 -85.0 250 58 30 3.5 1.9
45000 -59.6 -75.3 250 65 33 0.8 0.4 | -59.7 -75.5 250 65 34 0.2 0.1
40000 -57.9 -72.2 265 97 50 1.1 0.6 | -59.1 -74.4 255 97 50 0.3 0.2
38000 -56.0 -68.8 270 106 54 4.6 2.5 | -56.9 -70.4 255 103 53 6.0 3.3
36000 -53.2 -63.8 270 110 57 4.6 2.5 | -53.3 -63.9 255 103 53 6.0 3.3
34000 -49.9 -57.8 265 112 58 7.7 4.2 | -49.4 -56.9 255 104 53 7.6 4.2
32000 -45.3 -49.5 265 104 53 7.8 4.3 | -44.8 -48.6 260 102 53 7.7 4.2
30000 -39.9 -39.8 260 96 50 8.2 4.5 | -39.6 -39.3 260 101 52 7.9 4.3
29000 -37.5 -35.5 260 94 49 8.2 4.5 | -37.3 -35.1 260 101 52 7.9 4.3
28000 -35.0 -31.0 260 92 48 8.2 4.5 | -34.9 -30.8 260 100 52 7.9 4.3
27000 -32.5 -26.5 255 90 46 8.1 4.4 | -32.5 -26.5 260 100 51 8.1 4.4
26000 -30.1 -22.2 255 88 45 8.1 4.4 | -30.1 -22.2 260 99 51 8.1 4.5
25000 -27.7 -17.9 255 85 44 8.1 4.4 | -27.7 -17.9 260 98 50 8.1 4.5
24000 -25.3 -13.5 255 82 42 8.0 4.4 | -25.2 -13.4 260 97 50 7.7 4.2
23000 -22.9 -9.2 255 79 41 8.0 4.4 | -23.2 -9.8 260 94 48 6.7 3.7
22000 -20.5 -4.9 255 76 39 8.0 4.4 | -21.2 -6.2 260 90 46 6.7 3.7
21000 -18.1 -0.6 255 73 38 5.4 3.0 | -19.2 -2.6 260 86 44 6.1 3.3
20000 -16.8 1.8 255 71 37 4.5 2.5 | -17.5 0.5 255 78 40 5.7 3.1
19500 -16.1 3.0 255 70 36 4.5 2.5 | -16.7 1.9 255 75 38 5.7 3.1
19000 -15.5 4.1 255 69 35 4.5 2.5 | -15.8 3.6 255 71 36 5.7 3.1
18500 -14.8 5.4 255 68 35 4.5 2.5 | -15.0 5.0 250 67 35 4.8 2.6
18000 -14.2 6.4 255 66 34 4.4 2.4 | -14.6 5.7 250 66 34 2.0 1.1
17500 -13.6 7.5 255 64 33 4.2 2.3 | -14.3 6.3 250 66 34 1.8 1.0
17000 -12.7 9.1 255 62 32 7.4 4.1 | -13.8 7.2 250 66 34 5.5 3.0
16500 -11.7 10.9 255 58 30 7.4 4.0 | -13.0 8.6 250 63 33 5.9 3.2
16000 -10.6 12.9 255 55 28 7.8 4.3 | -12.2 10.0 250 61 31 6.9 3.8
15500 -9.5 14.9 255 54 28 8.1 4.4 | -10.5 13.1 250 57 30 7.9 4.3
15000 -8.3 17.1 255 53 27 8.4 4.6 | -9.2 15.4 250 54 28 10.3 5.6
14500 -6.3 20.7 255 52 27 7.7 4.2 | -7.5 18.5 250 48 25 9.0 5.0
14000 -5.5 22.1 255 51 26 6.4 3.5 | -6.7 19.9 245 43 22 5.1 2.8
13500 -4.3 24.3 255 48 25 7.7 4.2 | -5.9 21.4 250 46 24 6.0 3.3
13000 -3.3 26.1 255 45 23 6.1 3.4 | -5.2 22.6 250 48 25 3.3 1.8
12500 -2.4 27.7 255 39 20 5.7 3.1 | -4.5 23.9 255 45 23 5.5 3.0
12000 -1.5 29.3 255 33 17 3.6 2.0 | -3.7 25.3 255 41 21 5.5 3.0
11750 -1.3 29.7 255 34 18 1.5 0.8 | -3.3 26.1 255 39 20 5.1 2.8
11500 -1.1 30.0 250 35 18 2.7 1.5 | -2.9 26.8 255 36 19 4.4 2.4
11250 -0.9 30.4 250 35 18 3.0 1.6 | -2.5 27.5 255 33 17 5.3 2.9
11000 -0.7 30.7 250 36 18 1.0 0.6 | -2.2 28.0 255 31 16 2.5 1.4
10750 -0.7 30.7 250 34 18 -3.1 -1.7 | -2.1 28.2 255 28 15 0.6 0.3
10500 -1.0 30.2 250 32 16 -4.4 -2.4 | -1.9 28.6 255 25 13 2.8 1.6
10250 -1.4 29.5 245 29 15 -3.9 -2.1 | -1.7 28.9 250 22 12 2.3 1.3
10000 -1.7 28.9 245 27 14 -5.3 -2.9 | -1.5 29.3 245 20 10 4.7 2.6
9750 -2.2 28.0 240 25 13 -7.0 -3.8 | -1.0 30.2 240 18 9 8.8 4.9
9500 -2.6 27.3 235 22 11 -4.8 -2.6 | -0.2 31.6 235 16 8 13.3 7.3
9250 -2.9 26.8 230 19 10 -0.9 -0.5 | 1.1 34.0 235 14 7 19.3 10.6
9000 -2.9 26.8 220 11 6 0.2 0.1 | 2.3 36.1 230 12 6 8.7 4.7
8750 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
8500 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
8250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
8000 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
11/24/2024 at 1400 MST | 11/24/2024 at 1700 MST
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +4.5 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +5.2
CINH... 0.0 K Index... -4.5 | CINH... -0.8 K Index... -10.7
|
Height Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate | Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft | deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -65.0 -85.0 250 55 28 3.2 1.8 | -64.1 -83.4 255 63 32 2.8 1.5
45000 -60.2 -76.4 255 62 32 2.3 1.3 | -60.0 -76.0 260 68 35 2.6 1.5
40000 -58.6 -73.5 260 96 49 1.0 0.5 | -56.1 -69.0 270 88 46 2.4 1.3
38000 -56.3 -69.3 260 100 51 5.6 3.1 | -54.5 -66.1 265 94 49 2.8 1.6
36000 -53.0 -63.4 260 98 50 5.6 3.1 | -52.8 -63.0 260 99 51 2.8 1.6
34000 -49.4 -56.9 255 97 50 7.5 4.1 | -50.5 -58.9 260 104 53 7.8 4.3
32000 -44.9 -48.8 255 97 50 7.4 4.1 | -46.0 -50.8 260 103 53 7.6 4.2
30000 -39.8 -39.6 255 98 50 7.8 4.3 | -41.3 -42.3 260 102 53 8.4 4.6
29000 -37.5 -35.5 255 98 51 7.8 4.3 | -38.2 -36.8 265 99 51 8.4 4.6
28000 -35.2 -31.4 255 99 51 7.8 4.3 | -35.6 -32.1 265 96 49 8.4 4.6
27000 -32.8 -27.0 255 99 51 8.2 4.5 | -33.1 -27.6 270 94 48 8.2 4.5
26000 -30.3 -22.5 255 93 48 8.3 4.5 | -30.7 -23.3 265 90 47 8.1 4.4
25000 -27.9 -18.2 255 88 45 8.3 4.6 | -28.3 -18.9 265 88 45 8.1 4.4
24000 -25.4 -13.7 255 82 42 8.1 4.4 | -25.9 -14.6 260 85 44 7.8 4.3
23000 -23.2 -9.8 255 82 42 7.2 4.0 | -23.8 -10.8 260 84 43 6.9 3.8
22000 -21.0 -5.8 255 82 42 7.2 4.0 | -21.8 -7.2 260 82 42 6.9 3.8
21000 -18.9 -2.0 255 83 42 6.6 3.6 | -19.7 -3.5 260 81 42 7.0 3.8
20000 -17.0 1.4 255 83 42 6.1 3.3 | -17.6 0.3 255 79 41 7.1 3.9
19500 -16.1 3.0 255 83 42 6.1 3.3 | -16.5 2.3 255 79 40 7.1 3.9
19000 -15.2 4.6 255 83 42 6.0 3.3 | -15.4 4.3 255 78 40 7.1 3.9
18500 -14.3 6.3 255 83 42 5.8 3.2 | -14.3 6.3 255 77 40 6.7 3.7
18000 -13.6 7.5 255 81 42 4.4 2.4 | -13.5 7.7 255 76 39 4.5 2.5
17500 -12.9 8.8 255 79 41 4.6 2.5 | -12.8 9.0 255 76 39 4.8 2.6
17000 -12.3 9.9 255 77 39 2.8 1.6 | -12.2 10.0 255 74 38 2.9 1.6
16500 -12.0 10.4 255 75 38 2.5 1.4 | -11.8 10.8 255 72 37 2.6 1.4
16000 -11.4 11.5 255 71 37 3.1 1.7 | -11.4 11.5 255 70 36 2.2 1.2
15500 -11.0 12.2 255 67 35 3.2 1.8 | -11.3 11.7 260 65 34 1.3 0.7
15000 -10.5 13.1 255 64 33 5.6 3.1 | -11.1 12.0 260 60 31 1.5 0.8
14500 -9.5 14.9 255 59 30 6.5 3.6 | -10.8 12.6 260 56 29 2.7 1.5
14000 -8.8 16.2 255 54 28 6.4 3.5 | -10.4 13.3 260 54 28 5.4 2.9
13500 -7.6 18.3 255 49 25 9.2 5.0 | -9.2 15.4 260 51 26 8.4 4.6
13000 -6.4 20.5 255 44 23 5.8 3.2 | -8.2 17.2 260 46 24 6.8 3.7
12500 -5.6 21.9 255 38 20 6.1 3.3 | -7.0 19.4 260 43 22 8.2 4.5
12000 -4.7 23.5 250 32 17 6.7 3.6 | -5.9 21.4 265 39 20 8.1 4.5
11750 -4.2 24.4 245 30 15 5.7 3.1 | -5.3 22.5 265 37 19 8.4 4.6
11500 -3.9 25.0 245 28 14 4.1 2.2 | -4.6 23.7 265 35 18 8.6 4.7
11250 -3.6 25.5 240 25 13 4.5 2.4 | -4.0 24.8 265 32 17 8.7 4.8
11000 -3.2 26.2 240 23 12 4.5 2.5 | -3.4 25.9 265 30 16 8.0 4.4
10750 -2.8 27.0 235 22 11 7.3 4.0 | -2.8 27.0 260 28 15 7.8 4.3
10500 -2.2 28.0 230 21 11 9.4 5.1 | -2.2 28.0 260 26 14 8.4 4.6
10250 -1.5 29.3 230 20 11 8.9 4.9 | -1.6 29.1 255 24 13 9.0 4.9
10000 -0.8 30.6 230 20 10 9.6 5.3 | -0.9 30.4 255 22 12 7.0 3.8
9750 -0.0 32.0 225 19 10 11.4 6.2 | -0.6 30.9 250 21 11 3.7 2.1
9500 0.9 33.6 225 18 9 13.8 7.6 | -0.4 31.3 250 18 9 -0.1 -0.1
9250 2.0 35.6 225 15 8 16.2 8.9 | -0.7 30.7 245 14 7 -5.4 -3.0
9000 M M M M M M M | -0.9 30.4 240 9 5 4.0 2.2
8750 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
8500 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
8250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
8000 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
________________________________________________________________________________
This product is issued twice per day, once by approximately 0630 MST/0730 MDT
(1330 UTC). It is not continuously monitored nor updated after its initial
issuance.
The information contained herein is based on rawinsonde observation and/or
numerical weather prediction model data taken near Villa Grove, Colorado at:
North Latitude: 38 deg 16 min 03 sec
West Longitude: 105 deg 53 min 37 sec
Elevation: 7986 feet (2434 meters)
and may not be representative of other areas along the Front Range of the
Colorado Rocky Mountains. Note that some elevations in numerical weather
prediction models differ from actual station elevations, which can lead to
data which appear to be below ground. Erroneous data such as these should
not be used.
The content and format of this report as well as the issuance times are subject
to change without prior notice. Comments and suggestions are welcome and should
be directed to one of the addresses or phone numbers shown at the bottom of this
page. To expedite a response to comments, be sure to mention your interest in
the soaring forecast.
DEFINITIONS:
CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) - An integrated measure of the
energy available for convective development, also known as the positive
area on a thermodynamic diagram. Units are Joules per kilogram. Larger
values are indicative of greater instability and the possibility of
stronger convective activity, including thunderstorms. Values around or
greater than 1000 suggest the possibility of severe weather should
convective activity develop.
CIN (Convective Inhibition) - An integrated measure of the amount of energy
needed to initiate convective activity, also known as the negative area on
a thermodynamic diagram. Units are Joules per kilogram. The more negative
this number, the more energy is required to initiate convection. This
inhibitive energy can be overcome through surface heating, cooling aloft,
lifting mechanisms (orographic, frontal, gravity waves, etc.)
Convective Condensation Level - The height to which an air parcel possessing the
average saturation mixing ratio in the lowest 4000 feet of the airmass,
if heated sufficiently from below, will rise dry adiabatically until it
just becomes saturated. It estimates the base of cumulus clouds that are
produced by surface heating only.
Convection Temperature (ConvectionT) - The surface temperature required to make
the airmass dry adiabatic up to the given level. It can be considered a
"trigger temperature" for that level.
Freezing Level - The height where the temperature is zero degrees Celsius.
Height of Stable Layer - The height (between 12,000 and 18,000 feet above
mean sea level) where the smallest lapse rate exists. The location and
existence of this feature is important in the generation of mountain
waves.
K Index - A measure of stability which combines the temperature difference
between approximately 5,000 and 18,000 feet above the surface, the amount
of moisture at approximately 5,000 feet above the surface, and a measure
of the dryness at approximately 10,000 feet above the surface. Larger
positive numbers indicate more instability and a greater likelihood of
thunderstorm development. One interpretation of K index values regarding
soaring in the western United States is given in WMO Technical Note 158
and is reproduced in the following table:
below -10 no or weak thermals
-10 to 5 dry thermals or 1/8 cumulus with moderate thermals
5 to 15 good soaring conditions
15 to 20 good soaring conditions with occasional showers
20 to 30 excellent soaring conditions, but increasing
probability of showers and thunderstorms
above 30 more than 60 percent probability of thunderstorms
Lapse Rate - The change with height of the temperature. Negative values indicate
inversions.
Lifted Condensation Level - The height to which an air parcel possessing the
average dew point in the lowest 4000 feet of the airmass and the forecast
maximum temperature must be lifted dry adiabatically to attain saturation.
Lifted Index (LI) - The difference between the environmental temperature at a
level approximately 18,000 feet above the surface and the temperature of
an air parcel lifted dry adiabatically from the surface to its lifted
condensation level and then pseudoadiabatically thereafter to this same
level. The parcel`s initial temperature is the forecast maximum
temperature and its dew point is the average dew point in the lowest 4000
feet of the airmass. Negative values are indicative of instability with
positive values showing stable conditions.
Lift Rate - An experimental estimate of the strength of thermals. It is
computed the same way as the maximum rate of lift but uses the actual
level rather than the maximum height of thermals in the calculation.
Also, none of the empirical adjustments based on cloudiness and K-index
are applied to these calculations.
Maximum Height of Thermals - The height where the dry adiabat through the
forecast maximum temperature intersects the environmental temperature.
Maximum Rate of Lift - An estimate of the maximum strength of thermals. It
is computed from an empirical formula which combines the expected maximum
height of thermals with the difference in the environmental temperatures
between the maximum height of thermals and the temperature 4,000 feet
above the ground. After this computation, further empirical adjustments
are made based on the value of the K-index and the amount and opacity of
middle and high level cloudiness expected between the time of trigger
temperature and the time of overdevelopment.
Middle/High Clouds - The amount and opacity of middle (altostratus, altocumulus)
or high (cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus) clouds. Broken means that
between 60% and 90% of the sky is covered by the cloud, with overcast
conditions occurring when more than 90% of the sky is covered by the cloud.
Thin implies that the clouds are predominantly transparent, meaning that
some sunlight is reaching the ground, in contrast to opaque which suggests
that little sunlight is reaching the ground.
Potential Height of Wave - The minimum of the following two heights:
1. Level above the height of stable layer (or 14,000 feet if none exists)
where the wind direction changes by 30 degrees or more
2. Level above the height of stable layer (or 14,000 feet if none exists)
where the wind speed no longer increases with height
PVA/NVA - Positive vorticity advection (PVA)/negative vorticity advection (NVA)
on the 500 millibar isobaric surface (approximately 18,000 feet above mean
sea level). Weak PVA has been shown to assist in mountain wave soaring.
Soaring Window - The time between the time the trigger temperature is reached
and the time of overdevelopment.
Thermal Index - The difference between the environmental temperature and the
temperature at a particular level determined by following the dry adiabat
through the forecast maximum temperature up to that level. Negative values
are indicative of thermal lift.
Thermal Soaring Index - An adjective rating (for sailplanes) based on the
computed maximum rate of lift, and the wind speed and middle and high
cloud cover expected during the soaring window (the time of the trigger
temperature and the time of overdevelopment) according to the following:
Maximum rate of lift Adjective Rating
>= 800 fpm Excellent
>= 400 and < 800 fpm Good
>= 200 and < 400 fpm Fair
< 200 fpm Poor
Time of Overdevelopment - The time one or more of the following phenomena,
which essentially shut off thermal lift, is expected to occur:
1. formation of broken to overcast convective cloud cover
2. formation of scattered to numerous downbursts
3. initiation of widespread precipitation
Time of Trigger Temperature - The time the surface temperature is expected to
reach the trigger temperature.
Trigger Temperature - The surface temperature required to make the first 4000
feet of the atmosphere dry adiabatic.
Wave Soaring Index - An empirical, adjective rating (for sailplanes) which
attempts to combine a variety of phenomena important in mountain wave
soaring into a single index number. Objective points are assigned to
these phenomena: wind speed and direction at 14,000 ft MSL, the static
stability in the 12,000-18,000 ft MSL layer, the wind speed gradient above
the stable layer, jet stream location and frontal and upper trough
movements.
042613