Soaring Guidance
Issued by NWS Pueblo, CO
Issued by NWS Pueblo, CO
680
UXUS97 KPUB 121239
SRGPUB
Soaring Forecast
National Weather Service Pueblo, Colorado
0639 MDT Wednesday, March 12, 2025
This forecast is for the Air Force Academy for Wednesday, March 12, 2025:
If the trigger temperature of 48.1 F/8.9 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 2034 ft/min (10.3 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 28332 ft MSL (20724 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 62.0 F/17.1 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 0945 MDT
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................. 20212 ft MSL (12604 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Thursday 03/13..... Excellent
Wave Soaring Index............................. Not available
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 07:14:15 / 19:03:26 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 11 hr 49 min 11 sec (709 min 11 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:08:51 MDT... 47.98 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 03/12/2025 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 10010 ft MSL (2402 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 20491 ft MSL (12883 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 21931 ft MSL (14323 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... -2.5
K index......................... -7.3
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 -55.0 -67.0 255 40 21 0.3 0.2 M M M M M
45000 -54.5 -66.1 250 42 22 0.3 0.2 M M M M M
40000 -53.4 -64.1 250 34 18 0.7 0.4 M M M M M
38000 -53.4 -64.1 250 31 16 -2.0 -1.1 M M M M M
36000 -54.7 -66.5 250 26 13 -2.0 -1.1 M M M M M
34000 -55.9 -68.6 245 22 11 0.2 0.1 M M M M M
32000 -53.0 -63.4 240 21 11 5.0 2.7 M M M M M
30000 -50.0 -58.0 235 21 11 6.9 3.8 17.8 64.0 0.9 M M
29000 -47.5 -53.5 235 21 11 8.3 4.6 17.1 62.7 0.3 M M
28000 -45.0 -49.0 235 20 10 8.3 4.6 16.5 61.7 -0.1 2100 10.7
27000 -42.5 -44.5 240 20 10 8.3 4.6 16.1 60.9 -0.5 1996 10.1
26000 -40.0 -40.0 240 19 10 8.7 4.8 15.6 60.1 -0.9 1890 9.6
25000 -37.4 -35.3 245 19 10 8.7 4.8 15.2 59.3 -1.2 1782 9.1
24000 -34.8 -30.6 250 18 9 8.7 4.8 14.9 58.7 -1.5 1674 8.5
23000 -32.2 -26.0 255 17 9 8.6 4.7 14.5 58.0 -1.9 1567 8.0
22000 -29.6 -21.3 265 17 9 8.6 4.7 14.0 57.2 -2.3 1460 7.4
21000 -26.4 -15.5 270 17 9 8.6 4.7 13.6 56.5 -2.7 1327 6.7
20000 -23.8 -10.8 270 16 8 8.5 4.7 13.1 55.6 -3.1 1221 6.2
19500 -22.6 -8.7 270 15 8 8.5 4.7 12.9 55.2 -3.3 1168 5.9
19000 -21.3 -6.3 270 15 8 8.5 4.7 12.7 54.9 -3.5 1115 5.7
18500 -20.0 -4.0 270 14 7 8.5 4.7 12.6 54.6 -3.7 1062 5.4
18000 -18.8 -1.8 270 13 7 8.3 4.6 12.3 54.2 -3.9 1009 5.1
17500 -17.5 0.5 265 12 6 8.3 4.5 12.1 53.8 -4.2 957 4.9
17000 -16.2 2.8 270 11 6 9.0 5.0 11.9 53.4 -4.4 904 4.6
16500 -14.9 5.2 275 11 6 9.0 4.9 11.8 53.2 -4.5 849 4.3
16000 -13.5 7.7 280 11 6 8.7 4.8 11.7 53.0 -4.6 793 4.0
15500 -12.3 9.9 280 11 6 8.5 4.7 11.5 52.6 -4.9 741 3.8
15000 -11.0 12.2 280 11 6 8.4 4.6 11.3 52.3 -5.1 688 3.5
14500 -9.8 14.4 280 10 5 8.1 4.4 11.0 51.8 -5.3 636 3.2
14000 -8.5 16.7 275 8 4 8.1 4.4 10.7 51.3 -5.6 585 3.0
13500 -7.4 18.7 285 8 4 7.2 3.9 10.4 50.7 -6.0 536 2.7
13000 -6.3 20.7 295 9 5 6.4 3.5 10.0 50.0 -6.4 489 2.5
12500 -4.8 23.4 300 10 5 9.9 5.4 10.0 50.0 -6.4 429 2.2
12000 -3.9 25.0 300 12 6 5.8 3.2 9.4 49.0 -7.0 388 2.0
11750 -3.5 25.7 300 13 7 7.3 4.0 9.1 48.4 -7.3 367 1.9
11500 -2.9 26.8 305 14 7 7.5 4.1 9.0 48.2 -7.4 341 1.7
11250 -2.4 27.7 305 15 8 5.4 3.0 8.7 47.7 -7.8 321 1.6
11000 -2.0 28.4 305 16 8 5.6 3.1 8.4 47.1 -8.1 301 1.5
10750 -1.6 29.1 305 18 9 6.0 3.3 8.1 46.5 -8.4 281 1.4
10500 -1.1 30.0 305 19 10 6.6 3.6 7.8 46.1 -8.7 260 1.3
10250 -0.7 30.7 305 21 11 6.9 3.8 7.6 45.6 -9.0 238 1.2
10000 -0.1 31.8 305 22 12 7.5 4.1 7.4 45.3 -9.2 214 1.1
9750 0.4 32.7 300 24 12 6.9 3.8 7.2 45.0 -9.4 191 1.0
9500 0.9 33.6 300 23 12 6.4 3.5 6.9 44.5 -9.7 169 0.9
9250 1.4 34.5 300 23 12 6.5 3.6 6.7 44.1 -10.0 148 0.8
9000 1.8 35.2 300 23 12 6.1 3.3 6.4 43.6 -10.3 127 0.6
8750 2.2 36.0 300 23 12 5.0 2.7 6.1 43.0 -10.6 107 0.5
8500 2.5 36.5 300 23 12 3.5 1.9 5.7 42.3 -11.1 91 0.5
8250 2.8 37.0 295 23 12 6.3 3.4 5.3 41.5 -11.6 74 0.4
8000 3.2 37.8 295 22 11 -0.0 -0.0 5.0 40.9 -11.9 56 0.3
7750 2.3 36.1 295 16 8 -23.7 -13.0 3.4 38.1 -13.6 74 0.4
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 * * * * * *
03/12/2025 at 0900 MDT | 03/12/2025 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +2.7 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +2.5
CINH... 0.0 K Index... +0.2 | CINH... 0.0 K Index... +4.9
|
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 -55.1 -67.2 270 40 21 0.8 0.4 | -55.8 -68.4 280 35 18 1.2 0.7
45000 -53.9 -65.0 265 38 20 0.8 0.4 | -54.0 -65.2 280 39 20 1.2 0.7
40000 -53.0 -63.4 260 30 16 0.6 0.3 | -52.9 -63.2 275 33 17 0.7 0.4
38000 -53.0 -63.4 255 27 14 -2.0 -1.1 | -52.9 -63.2 275 28 15 -1.6 -0.9
36000 -54.3 -65.7 255 21 11 -2.0 -1.1 | -53.9 -65.0 280 20 11 -1.6 -0.9
34000 -55.5 -67.9 250 16 8 -0.5 -0.3 | -54.8 -66.6 280 12 6 -0.1 -0.1
32000 -53.2 -63.8 245 18 9 4.0 2.2 | -52.8 -63.0 270 12 6 3.6 2.0
30000 -50.8 -59.4 240 20 10 6.4 3.5 | -50.6 -59.1 255 13 7 6.2 3.4
29000 -48.3 -54.9 245 20 10 8.3 4.5 | -48.1 -54.6 255 14 7 8.2 4.5
28000 -45.8 -50.4 245 19 10 8.3 4.6 | -45.7 -50.3 255 15 8 8.2 4.5
27000 -43.3 -45.9 250 19 10 8.3 4.5 | -43.2 -45.8 260 17 9 8.2 4.5
26000 -40.7 -41.3 255 19 10 8.9 4.9 | -40.6 -41.1 260 17 8 9.1 5.0
25000 -38.1 -36.6 260 18 9 8.9 4.9 | -37.9 -36.2 265 15 8 9.1 5.0
24000 -35.4 -31.7 260 17 9 8.9 4.9 | -35.1 -31.2 265 14 7 9.1 5.0
23000 -32.8 -27.0 265 16 8 8.8 4.8 | -31.9 -25.4 265 13 7 8.4 4.6
22000 -30.1 -22.2 265 15 8 8.8 4.8 | -29.4 -20.9 265 13 7 8.4 4.6
21000 -26.9 -16.4 270 13 7 8.6 4.7 | -26.8 -16.2 260 13 7 8.4 4.6
20000 -24.4 -11.9 265 12 6 8.4 4.6 | -24.3 -11.7 260 13 7 8.4 4.6
19500 -23.1 -9.6 265 11 6 8.4 4.6 | -23.1 -9.6 260 13 6 8.4 4.6
19000 -21.8 -7.2 265 11 6 8.4 4.6 | -21.8 -7.2 260 12 6 8.4 4.6
18500 -20.6 -5.1 260 10 5 8.4 4.6 | -20.6 -5.1 255 12 6 8.4 4.6
18000 -19.4 -2.9 260 9 5 8.3 4.6 | -19.3 -2.7 255 12 6 8.5 4.7
17500 -18.1 -0.6 255 9 5 8.4 4.6 | -18.1 -0.6 255 12 6 8.6 4.7
17000 -16.9 1.6 255 8 4 7.8 4.3 | -16.9 1.6 250 11 6 7.1 3.9
16500 -15.7 3.7 255 7 4 7.9 4.3 | -15.8 3.6 250 11 6 7.2 4.0
16000 -14.6 5.7 255 7 3 7.3 4.0 | -14.8 5.4 245 10 5 6.2 3.4
15500 -13.5 7.7 255 5 3 6.9 3.8 | -13.9 7.0 240 9 4 5.8 3.2
15000 -12.5 9.5 260 4 2 6.9 3.8 | -13.0 8.6 230 7 4 5.9 3.2
14500 -11.5 11.3 295 3 1 6.7 3.7 | -12.2 10.0 220 5 3 6.1 3.3
14000 -10.5 13.1 340 3 2 6.8 3.7 | -11.3 11.7 190 4 2 6.4 3.5
13500 -9.4 15.1 010 4 2 7.7 4.2 | -10.2 13.6 150 3 1 8.2 4.5
13000 -8.3 17.1 025 5 3 8.0 4.4 | -9.0 15.8 110 3 2 9.3 5.1
12500 -6.9 19.6 025 7 3 8.8 4.8 | -7.4 18.7 065 4 2 8.9 4.9
12000 -5.8 21.6 015 9 5 7.1 3.9 | -6.4 20.5 025 6 3 7.1 3.9
11750 -5.3 22.5 015 10 5 8.3 4.5 | -5.8 21.6 015 7 4 9.6 5.3
11500 -4.6 23.7 005 11 6 8.9 4.9 | -5.0 23.0 005 8 4 10.5 5.8
11250 -4.0 24.8 360 12 6 7.9 4.3 | -4.3 24.3 360 8 4 8.7 4.8
11000 -3.4 25.9 355 12 6 8.1 4.4 | -3.6 25.5 355 8 4 8.9 4.9
10750 -2.8 27.0 350 14 7 7.6 4.1 | -3.0 26.6 355 9 4 9.4 5.2
10500 -2.3 27.9 340 15 8 7.0 3.8 | -2.2 28.0 355 9 4 9.8 5.4
10250 -1.8 28.8 335 16 8 7.8 4.3 | -1.5 29.3 355 9 5 10.1 5.5
10000 -1.1 30.0 335 17 9 8.4 4.6 | -0.7 30.7 350 9 5 10.4 5.7
9750 -0.5 31.1 330 17 9 8.3 4.6 | 0.0 32.0 350 9 5 9.9 5.5
9500 0.1 32.2 330 17 9 8.4 4.6 | 0.8 33.4 350 9 5 9.7 5.3
9250 0.7 33.3 325 17 9 8.3 4.6 | 1.5 34.7 350 9 5 9.9 5.4
9000 1.3 34.3 325 17 9 7.7 4.2 | 2.3 36.1 350 9 5 10.4 5.7
8750 1.9 35.4 325 17 9 6.7 3.7 | 3.1 37.6 350 9 5 10.6 5.8
8500 2.3 36.1 325 16 8 6.3 3.4 | 3.9 39.0 350 9 5 11.3 6.2
8250 2.8 37.0 325 16 8 6.5 3.6 | 4.7 40.5 350 9 4 8.7 4.8
8000 3.3 37.9 320 15 8 7.3 4.0 | 5.3 41.5 350 9 4 12.9 7.1
7750 3.9 39.0 315 11 6 8.1 4.4 | 8.5 47.3 350 8 4 4.8 2.6
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
03/12/2025 at 1500 MDT | 03/12/2025 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +3.4 LI... +1.2 | CAPE... +3.0 LI... -0.0
CINH... -1.6 K Index... +11.3 | CINH... -1.4 K Index... +14.2
|
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 -71.0 295 35 18 1.6 0.9 | -59.5 -75.1 285 37 19 2.1 1.2
45000 -54.8 -66.6 305 43 22 1.5 0.8 | -56.3 -69.3 295 46 24 2.0 1.1
40000 -51.5 -60.7 310 39 20 2.2 1.2 | -56.8 -70.2 310 54 28 -0.4 -0.2
38000 -51.1 -60.0 310 36 18 -2.3 -1.3 | -55.9 -68.6 315 58 30 4.0 2.2
36000 -52.4 -62.3 310 30 16 -2.3 -1.3 | -53.5 -64.3 320 62 32 4.0 2.2
34000 -53.8 -64.8 310 25 13 0.1 0.0 | -51.0 -59.8 325 64 33 5.7 3.1
32000 -51.6 -60.9 315 22 11 3.7 2.1 | -47.6 -53.7 325 55 28 5.7 3.1
30000 -49.3 -56.7 320 19 10 6.1 3.3 | -44.2 -47.6 325 45 23 5.9 3.2
29000 -47.1 -52.8 315 19 10 7.4 4.1 | -42.4 -44.3 330 38 20 5.8 3.2
28000 -44.9 -48.8 305 19 10 7.5 4.1 | -40.7 -41.3 330 32 17 5.8 3.2
27000 -42.6 -44.7 300 20 10 7.4 4.0 | -38.9 -38.0 335 26 13 5.8 3.2
26000 -40.1 -40.2 300 20 10 8.9 4.9 | -37.0 -34.6 335 23 12 6.6 3.6
25000 -37.5 -35.5 300 20 10 8.9 4.9 | -35.0 -31.0 330 22 11 6.6 3.6
24000 -34.8 -30.6 295 19 10 8.9 4.9 | -33.1 -27.6 325 20 11 6.5 3.6
23000 -31.5 -24.7 295 19 10 8.8 4.8 | -30.2 -22.4 315 20 10 8.1 4.4
22000 -28.9 -20.0 295 19 10 8.8 4.8 | -27.8 -18.0 305 21 11 8.1 4.4
21000 -26.2 -15.2 290 18 9 8.3 4.6 | -25.4 -13.7 300 22 11 7.5 4.1
20000 -23.9 -11.0 285 19 10 8.0 4.4 | -23.2 -9.8 295 23 12 7.3 4.0
19500 -22.7 -8.9 280 19 10 8.0 4.4 | -22.1 -7.8 290 24 12 7.3 4.0
19000 -21.5 -6.7 280 19 10 8.0 4.4 | -21.0 -5.8 290 25 13 7.4 4.0
18500 -20.3 -4.5 275 19 10 7.7 4.2 | -19.9 -3.8 285 25 13 7.2 4.0
18000 -19.2 -2.6 275 20 10 7.3 4.0 | -18.9 -2.0 280 25 13 7.1 3.9
17500 -18.1 -0.6 275 20 10 7.4 4.0 | -17.9 -0.2 275 25 13 7.2 4.0
17000 -17.0 1.4 270 20 10 7.2 3.9 | -16.7 1.9 270 24 12 9.2 5.1
16500 -16.0 3.2 270 20 10 7.2 4.0 | -15.4 4.3 270 22 11 9.1 5.0
16000 -14.9 5.2 265 19 10 7.2 3.9 | -14.0 6.8 265 20 10 9.2 5.1
15500 -13.9 7.0 265 15 8 7.2 3.9 | -12.7 9.1 265 18 9 9.3 5.1
15000 -12.8 9.0 260 12 6 7.3 4.0 | -11.3 11.7 260 17 9 9.2 5.0
14500 -11.7 10.9 255 8 4 7.5 4.1 | -9.9 14.2 260 15 8 9.1 5.0
14000 -10.6 12.9 235 4 2 7.9 4.3 | -8.6 16.5 265 13 7 8.9 4.9
13500 -9.3 15.3 220 3 1 9.7 5.3 | -7.3 18.9 260 11 6 8.5 4.7
13000 -7.9 17.8 210 2 1 11.2 6.1 | -6.0 21.2 260 9 5 9.8 5.4
12500 -6.1 21.0 205 2 1 9.0 5.0 | -4.6 23.7 255 8 4 7.5 4.1
12000 -4.9 23.2 190 2 1 8.3 4.6 | -3.5 25.7 245 6 3 7.4 4.1
11750 -4.2 24.4 185 2 1 10.3 5.6 | -2.9 26.8 240 6 3 7.8 4.3
11500 -3.4 25.9 185 2 1 10.7 5.9 | -2.3 27.9 230 5 3 8.2 4.5
11250 -2.7 27.1 180 2 1 9.3 5.1 | -1.7 28.9 225 5 3 8.3 4.6
11000 -2.0 28.4 175 2 1 9.6 5.3 | -1.1 30.0 215 5 3 8.2 4.5
10750 -1.2 29.8 170 2 1 9.3 5.1 | -0.5 31.1 205 5 3 7.2 4.0
10500 -0.6 30.9 165 2 1 9.1 5.0 | 0.0 32.0 195 5 3 6.5 3.6
10250 0.1 32.2 165 2 1 9.9 5.4 | 0.6 33.1 190 6 3 8.7 4.8
10000 0.9 33.6 160 2 1 10.3 5.7 | 1.3 34.3 185 6 3 10.0 5.5
9750 1.7 35.1 155 2 1 9.8 5.4 | 2.0 35.6 180 7 3 9.1 5.0
9500 2.4 36.3 155 2 1 9.4 5.2 | 2.7 36.9 175 7 4 8.7 4.8
9250 3.1 37.6 150 3 1 10.2 5.6 | 3.4 38.1 170 7 4 9.5 5.2
9000 3.9 39.0 150 3 1 11.1 6.1 | 4.1 39.4 170 8 4 10.5 5.8
8750 4.7 40.5 145 3 1 10.4 5.7 | 4.9 40.8 165 8 4 9.9 5.5
8500 5.5 41.9 145 3 1 10.6 5.8 | 5.6 42.1 165 8 4 10.0 5.5
8250 6.3 43.3 140 3 1 8.6 4.7 | 6.4 43.5 165 8 4 8.9 4.9
8000 7.0 44.6 140 3 1 13.3 7.3 | 7.0 44.6 160 8 4 9.7 5.3
7750 8.5 47.3 135 3 1 28.0 15.4 | 7.9 46.2 160 7 4 14.6 8.0
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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