Soaring Guidance
Issued by NWS Pueblo, CO
Issued by NWS Pueblo, CO
742
UXUS97 KPUB 221209
SRGPUB
Soaring Forecast
National Weather Service Pueblo, Colorado
0509 MST Saturday, February 22, 2025
This forecast is for the Air Force Academy for Saturday, February 22, 2025:
If the trigger temperature of 48.8 F/9.3 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Good
Maximum rate of lift........................ 412 ft/min (2.1 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 12422 ft MSL (4828 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 51.0 F/11.0 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1230 MST
Time of overdevelopment........................ None
Middle/high clouds during soaring window....... None
Surface winds during soaring window............ 20 mph or less
Height of the -3 thermal index................. 10473 ft MSL (2879 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Sunday 02/23....... Poor
Wave Soaring Index............................. Not available
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:40:45 / 17:44:37 MST
Total possible sunshine........... 11 hr 3 min 52 sec (663 min 52 sec)
Altitude of sun at 12:12:41 MST... 41.04 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 02/22/2025 at 0500 MST
Freezing level.................. 8052 ft MSL (458 ft AGL)
Additional freezing level....... 9718 ft MSL (2124 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 19191 ft MSL (11597 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 17888 ft MSL (10294 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... +2.6
K index......................... -33.1
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 -56.7 -70.1 275 26 13 1.6 0.9 M M M M M
45000 -54.2 -65.6 270 30 16 0.5 0.3 M M M M M
40000 -56.8 -70.2 335 14 7 -1.8 -1.0 M M M M M
38000 -57.2 -71.0 010 17 9 1.0 0.6 M M M M M
36000 -56.6 -69.9 020 20 10 1.0 0.5 M M M M M
34000 -55.2 -67.4 025 23 12 7.5 4.1 M M M M M
32000 -50.9 -59.6 035 24 12 7.2 4.0 M M M M M
30000 -46.7 -52.1 040 24 12 6.8 3.7 21.7 71.0 8.5 M M
29000 -44.6 -48.3 040 22 11 6.8 3.7 20.4 68.7 7.7 M M
28000 -42.6 -44.7 035 20 10 6.8 3.7 19.3 66.8 6.9 M M
27000 -40.5 -40.9 025 18 9 7.3 4.0 18.4 65.1 6.2 M M
26000 -38.2 -36.8 020 17 9 7.9 4.3 17.5 63.6 5.6 M M
25000 -35.8 -32.4 015 17 9 7.9 4.3 16.9 62.4 5.2 M M
24000 -33.4 -28.1 010 18 9 8.1 4.4 16.3 61.3 4.8 M M
23000 -30.9 -23.6 005 17 9 8.6 4.7 15.8 60.4 4.4 M M
22000 -28.3 -18.9 360 17 9 8.6 4.7 15.4 59.7 4.1 M M
21000 -25.7 -14.3 350 17 9 8.7 4.7 15.1 59.2 3.9 M M
20000 -23.1 -9.6 350 15 8 8.7 4.8 14.6 58.4 3.5 M M
19500 -21.2 -6.2 350 14 7 8.7 4.8 14.4 57.9 3.3 M M
19000 -19.9 -3.8 350 14 7 8.7 4.7 14.2 57.6 3.2 M M
18500 -18.6 -1.5 350 13 7 8.8 4.8 14.1 57.3 3.1 M M
18000 -17.3 0.9 355 13 7 8.8 4.8 13.9 57.0 3.0 M M
17500 -15.9 3.4 355 13 7 8.6 4.7 13.7 56.7 2.8 M M
17000 -14.7 5.5 355 13 7 8.5 4.7 13.5 56.3 2.7 M M
16500 -13.4 7.9 355 13 6 8.4 4.6 13.3 56.0 2.5 M M
16000 -12.2 10.0 355 12 6 7.7 4.2 13.0 55.5 2.2 M M
15500 -11.0 12.2 355 12 6 7.8 4.3 12.7 54.9 1.9 M M
15000 -9.9 14.2 355 11 6 7.3 4.0 12.4 54.2 1.6 M M
14500 -8.8 16.2 355 10 5 7.3 4.0 12.0 53.5 1.3 M M
14000 -7.7 18.1 350 9 5 8.3 4.5 11.6 52.9 0.9 M M
13500 -6.4 20.5 350 8 4 8.5 4.6 11.4 52.6 0.7 M M
13000 -5.2 22.6 350 7 3 7.0 3.8 11.2 52.1 0.5 M M
12500 -4.2 24.4 345 6 3 6.8 3.7 10.7 51.2 0.1 M M
12000 -3.2 26.2 340 6 3 5.1 2.8 10.2 50.3 -0.4 375 1.9
11750 -2.9 26.8 330 6 3 3.4 1.9 9.7 49.5 -0.8 359 1.8
11500 -2.6 27.3 325 6 3 4.4 2.4 9.3 48.7 -1.3 343 1.7
11250 -2.3 27.9 315 6 3 5.3 2.9 8.9 48.0 -1.7 326 1.7
11000 -1.9 28.6 310 7 4 5.1 2.8 8.5 47.4 -2.0 307 1.6
10750 -1.6 29.1 305 7 4 4.8 2.7 8.1 46.7 -2.5 290 1.5
10500 -1.3 29.7 305 7 4 4.8 2.6 7.8 46.0 -2.9 273 1.4
10250 -1.0 30.2 305 8 4 6.6 3.6 7.4 45.4 -3.3 256 1.3
10000 -0.5 31.1 300 8 4 6.6 3.6 7.2 45.0 -3.6 236 1.2
9750 -0.1 31.8 295 8 4 4.9 2.7 6.9 44.4 -4.0 217 1.1
9500 0.2 32.4 295 9 4 5.7 3.1 6.6 43.8 -4.3 198 1.0
9250 0.6 33.1 290 9 5 4.3 2.4 6.2 43.2 -4.7 180 0.9
9000 0.9 33.6 295 9 4 2.6 1.4 5.7 42.3 -5.2 165 0.8
8750 1.0 33.8 295 9 4 2.1 1.2 5.2 41.3 -5.8 152 0.8
8500 1.2 34.2 290 9 4 3.6 2.2 4.6 40.3 -6.3 139 0.7
8250 1.4 34.5 290 9 4 -1.7 -0.9 4.1 39.3 -6.9 126 0.6
8000 0.5 32.9 295 9 5 -28.9 -15.9 2.3 36.2 -8.6 148 0.8
7750 -2.9 26.8 285 8 4 -57.9 -31.8 -1.8 28.8 -12.7 242 1.2
7500 M M M M M M M M M M M M
7250 M M M M M M M M M M M M
7000 M M M M M M M M M M M M
6750 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
02/22/2025 at 0800 MST | 02/22/2025 at 1100 MST
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +2.4 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +3.3
CINH... 0.0 K Index... -25.4 | CINH... 0.0 K Index... -28.1
|
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 -57.5 -71.5 275 31 16 1.1 0.6 | -57.5 -71.5 285 32 16 1.8 1.0
45000 -55.8 -68.4 280 33 17 0.0 0.0 | -54.8 -66.6 285 31 16 -0.0 -0.0
40000 -58.7 -73.7 355 15 8 -2.0 -1.1 | -59.9 -75.8 345 8 4 -3.4 -1.9
38000 -59.0 -74.2 030 21 11 2.0 1.1 | -60.2 -76.4 035 12 6 3.4 1.9
36000 -57.8 -72.0 050 30 15 2.0 1.1 | -57.9 -72.2 050 20 10 3.4 1.9
34000 -55.7 -68.3 055 39 20 8.1 4.4 | -55.1 -67.2 055 26 13 8.2 4.5
32000 -50.9 -59.6 050 37 19 8.0 4.4 | -50.2 -58.4 050 27 14 8.3 4.5
30000 -46.1 -51.0 045 35 18 7.8 4.3 | -45.3 -49.5 045 27 14 7.7 4.2
29000 -43.8 -46.8 045 33 17 7.8 4.3 | -43.0 -45.4 040 26 13 7.7 4.2
28000 -41.4 -42.5 045 31 16 7.8 4.3 | -40.7 -41.3 035 25 13 7.7 4.2
27000 -39.1 -38.4 045 29 15 7.5 4.1 | -38.4 -37.1 030 24 13 7.9 4.3
26000 -36.9 -34.4 045 26 13 7.2 4.0 | -36.0 -32.8 030 23 12 8.0 4.4
25000 -34.8 -30.6 045 22 11 7.2 4.0 | -33.6 -28.5 030 23 12 8.0 4.4
24000 -32.6 -26.7 045 19 10 7.5 4.1 | -31.2 -24.2 030 22 11 8.1 4.4
23000 -30.2 -22.4 040 16 8 8.2 4.5 | -28.7 -19.7 040 18 9 8.2 4.5
22000 -27.7 -17.9 030 15 8 8.2 4.5 | -25.6 -14.1 050 14 7 8.2 4.5
21000 -24.6 -12.3 010 13 7 8.2 4.5 | -23.2 -9.8 055 11 6 7.7 4.3
20000 -22.2 -8.0 355 13 6 8.2 4.5 | -20.9 -5.6 025 7 4 7.8 4.3
19500 -21.0 -5.8 345 13 7 8.2 4.5 | -19.7 -3.5 005 7 3 7.8 4.3
19000 -19.7 -3.5 335 13 7 8.2 4.5 | -18.6 -1.5 345 7 4 7.8 4.3
18500 -18.5 -1.3 330 13 7 8.8 4.9 | -17.4 0.7 325 8 4 7.9 4.4
18000 -17.1 1.2 330 13 7 8.8 4.8 | -16.2 2.8 315 10 5 7.9 4.3
17500 -15.9 3.4 330 12 6 8.0 4.4 | -15.0 5.0 305 12 6 7.6 4.2
17000 -14.7 5.5 325 12 6 7.5 4.1 | -13.9 7.0 305 12 6 7.4 4.1
16500 -13.6 7.5 325 11 6 7.6 4.1 | -12.8 9.0 300 13 7 7.3 4.0
16000 -12.5 9.5 325 11 5 7.8 4.3 | -11.8 10.8 295 13 7 6.8 3.8
15500 -11.3 11.7 320 10 5 7.8 4.3 | -10.7 12.7 295 13 6 6.8 3.7
15000 -10.1 13.8 320 10 5 8.4 4.6 | -9.7 14.5 290 12 6 7.8 4.3
14500 -8.9 16.0 315 9 5 8.4 4.6 | -8.5 16.7 290 12 6 7.8 4.3
14000 -7.7 18.1 315 9 4 7.7 4.2 | -7.4 18.7 290 11 6 7.3 4.0
13500 -6.5 20.3 315 8 4 7.6 4.1 | -6.3 20.7 290 11 6 7.3 4.0
13000 -5.4 22.3 315 7 4 8.9 4.9 | -5.3 22.5 290 10 5 6.9 3.8
12500 -4.1 24.6 320 7 3 7.3 4.0 | -4.3 24.3 290 9 5 6.3 3.5
12000 -3.0 26.6 325 7 3 6.3 3.4 | -3.4 25.9 290 8 4 5.7 3.1
11750 -2.6 27.3 330 7 4 5.7 3.1 | -3.0 26.6 295 8 4 5.3 2.9
11500 -2.2 28.0 335 7 4 5.9 3.2 | -2.6 27.3 295 8 4 5.8 3.2
11250 -1.8 28.8 335 8 4 5.8 3.2 | -2.1 28.2 300 8 4 6.3 3.4
11000 -1.4 29.5 335 8 4 4.0 2.2 | -1.7 28.9 300 8 4 5.1 2.8
10750 -1.2 29.8 335 9 4 2.6 1.4 | -1.4 29.5 300 8 4 4.5 2.4
10500 -1.0 30.2 335 9 5 3.1 1.7 | -1.0 30.2 305 8 4 4.2 2.3
10250 -0.9 30.4 335 9 5 3.2 1.7 | -0.7 30.7 305 8 4 5.9 3.2
10000 -0.6 30.9 330 10 5 3.4 1.9 | -0.2 31.6 305 8 4 6.5 3.5
9750 -0.4 31.3 330 10 5 3.5 1.9 | 0.2 32.4 305 8 4 4.9 2.7
9500 -0.2 31.6 330 9 5 3.5 1.9 | 0.6 33.1 305 7 4 5.9 3.2
9250 0.1 32.2 330 9 5 3.3 1.8 | 1.0 33.8 305 7 4 3.6 2.0
9000 0.3 32.5 330 9 5 2.5 1.4 | 1.2 34.2 305 7 3 5.9 3.2
8750 0.5 32.9 330 9 5 2.0 1.1 | 1.8 35.2 300 6 3 9.7 5.3
8500 0.6 33.1 330 9 5 2.5 1.4 | 2.5 36.5 300 5 3 8.8 4.8
8250 0.8 33.4 330 9 5 0.9 0.5 | 3.1 37.6 300 4 2 8.9 4.9
8000 0.4 32.7 335 9 5 -13.8 -7.6 | 3.8 38.8 295 3 2 12.0 6.6
7750 -1.4 29.5 315 7 4 -33.0 -18.1 | 4.9 40.8 300 2 1 17.8 9.8
7500 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
7250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
7000 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
6750 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
02/22/2025 at 1400 MST | 02/22/2025 at 1700 MST
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +3.9 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +4.9
CINH... 0.0 K Index... -27.5 | CINH... 0.0 K Index... -25.4
|
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 -57.2 -71.0 290 32 16 0.8 0.4 | -57.5 -71.5 285 35 18 2.4 1.3
45000 -56.0 -68.8 295 29 15 -0.9 -0.5 | -54.0 -65.2 285 41 21 -1.2 -0.7
40000 -62.7 -80.9 320 15 8 -4.6 -2.5 | -62.6 -80.7 320 25 13 -5.8 -3.2
38000 -62.7 -80.9 340 12 6 5.9 3.3 | -62.8 -81.0 330 22 11 6.1 3.4
36000 -58.7 -73.7 005 12 6 5.9 3.2 | -58.7 -73.7 335 19 10 6.1 3.3
34000 -54.8 -66.6 015 13 7 8.1 4.4 | -54.7 -66.5 340 17 9 8.0 4.4
32000 -49.9 -57.8 020 14 7 8.1 4.5 | -49.9 -57.8 335 16 8 8.1 4.4
30000 -44.9 -48.8 020 15 8 8.8 4.8 | -44.9 -48.8 335 16 8 8.8 4.8
29000 -42.3 -44.1 025 16 8 8.8 4.8 | -42.2 -44.0 340 15 8 8.8 4.8
28000 -39.6 -39.3 025 17 9 8.8 4.8 | -39.6 -39.3 340 14 7 8.8 4.8
27000 -37.0 -34.6 025 18 9 7.9 4.3 | -37.0 -34.6 345 14 7 8.1 4.4
26000 -34.8 -30.6 025 18 9 7.6 4.2 | -34.6 -30.3 350 13 7 7.9 4.3
25000 -32.5 -26.5 020 18 9 7.6 4.2 | -32.3 -26.1 350 13 7 7.9 4.3
24000 -30.2 -22.4 020 18 9 8.0 4.4 | -29.9 -21.8 355 13 6 8.0 4.4
23000 -27.7 -17.9 020 16 8 8.5 4.7 | -27.5 -17.5 350 9 4 8.2 4.5
22000 -25.1 -13.2 025 13 7 8.5 4.7 | -24.4 -11.9 330 4 2 8.2 4.5
21000 -22.0 -7.6 025 9 5 7.8 4.3 | -22.0 -7.6 285 3 2 8.1 4.5
20000 -19.7 -3.5 015 6 3 7.8 4.3 | -19.5 -3.1 275 6 3 8.1 4.5
19500 -18.5 -1.3 360 4 2 7.8 4.3 | -18.3 -0.9 275 8 4 8.1 4.5
19000 -17.3 0.9 335 3 2 7.8 4.3 | -17.1 1.2 275 9 5 8.2 4.5
18500 -16.2 2.8 315 5 3 7.8 4.3 | -15.9 3.4 280 11 5 7.2 4.0
18000 -15.0 5.0 315 7 4 7.8 4.3 | -14.8 5.4 285 12 6 7.3 4.0
17500 -13.8 7.2 315 10 5 7.6 4.2 | -13.8 7.2 290 14 7 6.2 3.4
17000 -12.7 9.1 315 11 6 7.5 4.1 | -12.9 8.8 295 15 7 5.7 3.1
16500 -11.5 11.3 315 12 6 7.2 3.9 | -12.1 10.2 305 15 8 5.4 3.0
16000 -10.6 12.9 315 13 7 5.8 3.2 | -11.3 11.7 310 16 8 4.7 2.6
15500 -9.8 14.4 315 13 7 5.8 3.2 | -10.6 12.9 310 17 9 4.5 2.5
15000 -8.9 16.0 315 14 7 5.9 3.2 | -9.8 14.4 315 18 9 6.7 3.7
14500 -8.0 17.6 315 14 7 5.9 3.2 | -8.8 16.2 315 18 9 6.4 3.5
14000 -7.1 19.2 315 15 7 6.7 3.7 | -7.8 18.0 320 18 9 7.6 4.2
13500 -6.1 21.0 315 15 8 6.8 3.7 | -6.7 19.9 320 18 9 7.8 4.3
13000 -5.1 22.8 315 15 8 6.4 3.5 | -5.5 22.1 320 18 10 9.3 5.1
12500 -4.2 24.4 315 16 8 6.4 3.5 | -4.2 24.4 315 19 10 8.0 4.4
12000 -3.2 26.2 315 16 8 6.5 3.6 | -3.1 26.4 315 18 9 8.1 4.5
11750 -2.8 27.0 310 16 8 6.0 3.3 | -2.5 27.5 315 18 9 8.2 4.5
11500 -2.3 27.9 310 16 8 7.7 4.2 | -1.9 28.6 315 18 9 8.5 4.7
11250 -1.7 28.9 305 16 8 9.8 5.4 | -1.2 29.8 315 17 9 9.1 5.0
11000 -1.0 30.2 305 15 8 7.9 4.4 | -0.6 30.9 315 16 8 7.7 4.2
10750 -0.5 31.1 305 14 7 6.7 3.7 | -0.1 31.8 315 15 8 6.8 3.7
10500 -0.0 32.0 305 13 7 6.7 3.7 | 0.5 32.9 315 15 8 6.8 3.7
10250 0.5 32.9 305 12 6 9.2 5.0 | 1.0 33.8 320 14 7 8.2 4.5
10000 1.3 34.3 305 11 6 9.0 5.0 | 1.6 34.9 320 13 7 7.0 3.8
9750 1.8 35.2 305 9 5 6.3 3.5 | 2.0 35.6 325 12 6 4.6 2.5
9500 2.3 36.1 305 8 4 7.9 4.4 | 2.3 36.1 330 11 5 5.8 3.2
9250 2.8 37.0 305 7 3 4.3 2.4 | 2.7 36.9 335 10 5 3.4 1.9
9000 3.0 37.4 300 5 2 5.4 2.9 | 2.9 37.2 340 8 4 2.8 1.5
8750 3.6 38.5 295 3 1 9.5 5.2 | 3.1 37.6 345 6 3 4.5 2.4
8500 4.2 39.6 285 1 1 8.4 4.6 | 3.4 38.1 360 5 2 4.1 2.2
8250 4.9 40.8 155 1 0 8.7 4.8 | 3.6 38.5 020 3 2 4.3 2.3
8000 5.6 42.1 145 1 0 11.9 6.5 | 3.8 38.8 065 2 1 1.6 0.9
7750 6.7 44.1 125 1 1 17.4 9.5 | 3.7 38.7 100 2 1 -2.5 -1.4
7500 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
7250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
7000 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
6750 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 the Air Force Academy
in Colorado Springs, Colorado at
North Latitude: 38 deg 58 min 48.000 sec
West Longitude: 104 deg 49 min 12.000 sec
Elevation: 6572 feet (2003 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.
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