Soaring Guidance
Issued by NWS Grand Junction, CO
Issued by NWS Grand Junction, CO
156
UXUS97 KGJT 271306
SRGGJT
Soaring Forecast
National Weather Service Grand Junction, Colorado
706 AM MDT Wednesday, August 27, 2025
This forecast is for Wednesday, August 27, 2025:
If the trigger temperature of 74.8 F/23.8 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 910 ft/min (4.6 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 15776 ft MSL (10167 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 82.0 F/28.2 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1045 MDT
Time of overdevelopment........................ None
Middle/high clouds during soaring window....... Broken/overcast thin middle
Surface winds during soaring window............ 20 mph or less
Height of the -3 thermal index................. 11680 ft MSL (6071 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Thursday 08/28..... Excellent
Wave Soaring Index............................. Not available
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:38:56 / 19:52:06 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 13 hr 13 min 11 sec (793 min 11 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:15:31 MDT... 60.45 degrees
Upper air data from rawinsonde observation taken on 08/27/2025 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 14490 ft MSL (8881 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 13043 ft MSL (7434 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 14043 ft MSL (8434 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... -1.0
K index......................... +27.2
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 -63.9 -83.0 250 33 17 2.6 1.4 M M M M M
45000 -58.2 -72.8 255 52 27 5.7 3.1 M M M M M
40000 -49.6 -57.3 260 63 32 5.6 3.0 M M M M M
38000 -46.3 -51.3 265 67 35 5.6 3.0 M M M M M
36000 -43.0 -45.4 270 72 37 5.4 2.9 M M M M M
34000 -38.4 -37.1 265 69 36 7.9 4.3 M M M M M
32000 -33.1 -27.6 260 65 34 8.6 4.7 M M M M M
30000 -28.6 -19.5 260 56 29 7.4 4.1 46.9 116.5 14.6 M M
29000 -26.4 -15.5 260 51 26 7.4 4.1 46.1 114.9 14.1 M M
28000 -24.2 -11.6 255 46 24 6.9 3.8 45.3 113.5 13.7 M M
27000 -22.1 -7.8 255 42 22 6.8 3.7 44.0 111.3 12.9 M M
26000 -20.1 -4.2 250 38 19 6.8 3.7 42.9 109.3 12.1 M M
25000 -18.0 -0.4 245 34 18 6.7 3.7 42.0 107.6 11.5 M M
24000 -16.3 2.7 245 31 16 5.8 3.2 40.5 104.9 10.4 M M
23000 -14.5 5.9 250 29 15 5.8 3.2 39.1 102.3 9.4 M M
22000 -12.8 9.0 250 26 13 5.6 3.1 37.8 100.0 8.4 M M
21000 -11.3 11.7 250 22 11 4.9 2.7 36.0 96.8 6.9 M M
20000 -9.9 14.2 245 19 10 5.1 2.8 34.3 93.8 5.5 M M
19500 -9.2 15.4 245 17 9 5.3 2.9 33.6 92.4 4.8 M M
19000 -8.1 17.4 245 15 8 5.1 2.8 32.4 90.3 3.7 M M
18500 -7.4 18.7 245 15 8 5.1 2.8 31.6 88.9 3.0 M M
18000 -6.6 20.1 245 14 7 6.2 3.4 30.9 87.6 2.3 M M
17500 -5.8 21.6 250 15 8 6.3 3.5 30.3 86.5 1.7 M M
17000 -4.9 23.2 250 15 8 6.5 3.5 29.7 85.5 1.2 M M
16500 -3.9 25.0 250 15 8 6.6 3.6 29.2 84.5 0.7 M M
16000 -3.0 26.6 250 14 7 6.6 3.6 28.7 83.6 0.2 M M
15500 -2.0 28.4 250 14 7 7.4 4.0 28.2 82.8 -0.3 879 4.5
15000 -1.0 30.2 250 12 6 7.3 4.0 27.8 82.0 -0.8 834 4.2
14500 0.1 32.2 250 11 6 7.6 4.2 27.4 81.4 -1.2 788 4.0
14000 1.1 34.0 255 10 5 7.7 4.2 27.1 80.7 -1.6 741 3.8
13500 2.2 36.0 255 9 5 7.9 4.3 26.7 80.1 -2.0 694 3.5
13000 3.4 38.1 255 9 4 8.0 4.4 26.4 79.6 -2.3 645 3.3
12500 4.5 40.1 260 8 4 8.3 4.6 26.2 79.1 -2.6 596 3.0
12000 5.7 42.3 265 8 4 8.6 4.7 26.0 78.8 -2.9 544 2.8
11500 7.0 44.6 265 8 4 8.6 4.7 25.8 78.5 -3.1 492 2.5
11000 8.2 46.8 270 7 4 8.4 4.6 25.6 78.1 -3.3 441 2.2
10500 9.4 48.9 270 7 4 9.3 5.1 25.4 77.7 -3.6 389 2.0
10250 10.1 50.2 270 7 3 9.5 5.2 25.4 77.7 -3.6 360 1.8
10000 10.8 51.4 270 7 3 8.3 4.6 25.3 77.6 -3.7 334 1.7
9750 11.4 52.5 275 6 3 8.9 4.9 25.2 77.4 -3.8 307 1.6
9500 12.1 53.8 275 6 3 7.8 4.3 25.1 77.3 -3.9 281 1.4
9250 12.6 54.7 270 6 3 7.6 4.2 25.0 76.9 -4.1 257 1.3
9000 13.2 55.8 270 5 3 8.4 4.6 24.8 76.7 -4.2 232 1.2
8750 13.8 56.8 270 4 2 8.5 4.7 24.7 76.5 -4.3 206 1.0
8500 14.4 57.9 265 4 2 6.7 3.7 24.6 76.3 -4.5 181 0.9
8250 14.8 58.6 250 3 2 5.7 3.1 24.3 75.7 -4.8 161 0.8
8000 15.3 59.5 235 2 1 7.1 3.9 24.0 75.3 -5.0 139 0.7
7750 15.8 60.4 215 2 1 7.0 3.8 23.8 74.9 -5.3 116 0.6
7500 16.3 61.3 190 2 1 6.6 3.6 23.6 74.5 -5.5 94 0.5
7250 16.8 62.2 175 3 2 6.2 3.4 23.4 74.0 -5.8 72 0.4
7000 17.2 63.0 170 4 2 6.5 3.6 23.1 73.6 -6.1 51 0.3
6750 17.7 63.9 165 4 2 4.8 2.6 22.8 73.1 -6.4 31 0.2
6500 17.9 64.2 155 4 2 2.3 1.3 22.3 72.2 -6.9 17 0.1
6250 18.1 64.6 150 5 2 2.3 1.3 21.7 71.1 -7.5 4 0.0
6000 18.3 64.9 145 5 2 2.6 1.4 21.2 70.2 -8.0 M M
5750 18.2 64.8 130 4 2 -6.8 -3.7 20.4 68.8 -8.8 M M
5500 M M M M M M M M M M M M
5250 M M M M M M M M M M M M
5000 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
08/27/2025 at 0900 MDT | 08/27/2025 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... +306.0 LI... -2.0 | CAPE... +570.8 LI... -2.8
CINH... -15.7 K Index... +25.8 | CINH... -0.5 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 -64.9 -84.8 255 24 13 2.5 1.3 | -64.2 -83.6 240 24 13 2.1 1.2
45000 -58.7 -73.7 250 40 21 6.9 3.8 | -58.4 -73.1 245 43 22 6.8 3.7
40000 -48.4 -55.1 245 49 25 6.7 3.7 | -48.4 -55.1 240 54 28 6.1 3.4
38000 -44.4 -47.9 245 50 26 6.7 3.7 | -44.7 -48.5 245 55 28 6.1 3.4
36000 -40.4 -40.7 245 51 26 6.7 3.7 | -41.1 -42.0 250 56 29 6.1 3.3
34000 -36.2 -33.2 240 42 22 6.3 3.4 | -36.8 -34.2 245 46 24 6.3 3.5
32000 -32.4 -26.3 235 33 17 6.4 3.5 | -33.0 -27.4 240 37 19 6.4 3.5
30000 -28.7 -19.7 240 31 16 6.3 3.4 | -29.2 -20.6 245 35 18 6.4 3.5
29000 -26.8 -16.2 240 31 16 6.3 3.5 | -27.3 -17.1 245 34 17 6.4 3.5
28000 -24.9 -12.8 245 30 16 6.8 3.7 | -25.4 -13.7 245 33 17 7.4 4.1
27000 -22.8 -9.0 245 28 14 7.0 3.8 | -23.1 -9.6 245 30 16 7.9 4.3
26000 -20.7 -5.3 245 25 13 7.0 3.8 | -20.7 -5.3 250 28 14 7.9 4.3
25000 -18.6 -1.5 245 22 11 7.0 3.8 | -18.4 -1.1 250 25 13 7.9 4.3
24000 -16.7 1.9 240 22 11 6.5 3.6 | -16.2 2.8 250 23 12 7.0 3.8
23000 -14.7 5.5 235 22 11 6.5 3.6 | -14.2 6.4 245 22 11 7.0 3.8
22000 -12.8 9.0 235 22 12 6.5 3.5 | -12.1 10.2 240 20 10 6.9 3.8
21000 -10.8 12.6 230 22 11 5.4 2.9 | -10.3 13.5 240 19 10 4.6 2.5
20000 -9.2 15.4 230 21 11 5.5 3.0 | -8.9 16.0 240 18 9 4.7 2.6
19500 -8.5 16.7 230 21 11 5.6 3.1 | -8.3 17.1 240 17 9 4.9 2.7
19000 -7.7 18.1 230 20 10 6.0 3.3 | -7.5 18.5 240 17 9 6.1 3.3
18500 -6.8 19.8 235 20 10 6.0 3.3 | -6.6 20.1 240 17 9 6.0 3.3
18000 -5.9 21.4 235 20 10 6.6 3.6 | -5.8 21.6 240 17 9 6.1 3.3
17500 -5.0 23.0 235 20 10 6.8 3.7 | -4.9 23.2 245 17 9 6.1 3.3
17000 -4.0 24.8 235 20 10 6.8 3.7 | -4.1 24.6 245 17 9 6.0 3.3
16500 -3.1 26.4 235 20 10 6.2 3.4 | -3.3 26.1 245 17 9 5.3 2.9
16000 -2.2 28.0 235 20 10 6.3 3.5 | -2.5 27.5 245 17 9 5.3 2.9
15500 -1.3 29.7 235 20 10 6.1 3.3 | -1.7 28.9 245 17 9 5.8 3.2
15000 -0.5 31.1 240 20 10 6.1 3.4 | -0.9 30.4 245 17 9 5.9 3.2
14500 0.4 32.7 240 20 10 5.9 3.3 | -0.1 31.8 245 17 8 6.5 3.6
14000 1.2 34.2 240 20 10 5.9 3.2 | 0.9 33.6 245 16 8 6.9 3.8
13500 2.0 35.6 240 19 10 6.0 3.3 | 1.9 35.4 245 16 8 6.9 3.8
13000 2.8 37.0 235 19 10 6.1 3.3 | 2.8 37.0 245 16 8 6.9 3.8
12500 3.7 38.7 235 19 10 6.1 3.4 | 3.8 38.8 240 15 8 6.9 3.8
12000 4.5 40.1 235 18 9 6.3 3.5 | 4.7 40.5 240 15 8 6.8 3.7
11500 5.4 41.7 235 18 9 6.3 3.5 | 5.7 42.3 240 14 7 6.9 3.8
11000 6.2 43.2 235 17 9 6.1 3.3 | 6.7 44.1 240 14 7 7.3 4.0
10500 7.1 44.8 235 16 8 5.8 3.2 | 7.7 45.9 240 13 7 6.6 3.6
10250 7.5 45.5 235 16 8 6.0 3.3 | 8.1 46.6 240 13 7 6.7 3.6
10000 8.0 46.4 235 15 8 7.4 4.0 | 8.6 47.5 240 13 7 8.1 4.5
9750 8.5 47.3 235 15 8 7.7 4.2 | 9.2 48.6 240 12 6 8.3 4.5
9500 9.0 48.2 235 14 7 7.6 4.2 | 9.8 49.6 240 12 6 8.0 4.4
9250 9.6 49.3 235 14 7 8.0 4.4 | 10.3 50.5 240 11 6 7.5 4.1
9000 10.1 50.2 235 13 7 6.9 3.8 | 10.9 51.6 240 10 5 7.9 4.3
8750 10.5 50.9 230 13 7 5.5 3.0 | 11.4 52.5 235 10 5 8.4 4.6
8500 10.9 51.6 225 12 6 6.7 3.7 | 12.0 53.6 235 9 5 8.0 4.4
8250 11.5 52.7 225 11 6 8.0 4.4 | 12.6 54.7 235 8 4 7.2 3.9
8000 12.5 54.5 220 10 5 5.9 3.2 | 13.8 56.8 235 6 3 11.1 6.1
7750 12.9 55.2 215 9 5 6.2 3.4 | 14.6 58.3 235 7 3 9.3 5.1
7500 13.4 56.1 215 8 4 6.6 3.6 | 15.1 59.2 235 6 3 7.0 3.9
7250 13.9 57.0 210 8 4 7.1 3.9 | 15.7 60.3 240 5 2 8.7 4.8
7000 14.4 57.9 205 7 4 8.7 4.8 | 16.4 61.5 240 5 2 12.2 6.7
6750 15.0 59.0 195 7 3 7.6 4.1 | 17.3 63.1 240 5 3 10.8 5.9
6500 15.5 59.9 185 6 3 5.1 2.8 | 18.0 64.4 240 4 2 8.2 4.5
6250 15.9 60.6 170 6 3 8.7 4.8 | 18.6 65.5 245 4 2 8.9 4.9
6000 16.7 62.1 175 6 3 11.3 6.2 | 19.4 66.9 245 4 2 14.3 7.9
5750 17.3 63.1 165 5 3 6.6 3.6 | 20.7 69.3 245 4 2 23.7 13.0
5500 18.0 64.4 150 5 3 17.6 9.7 | 22.0 71.6 250 3 1 4.8 2.7
5250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
5000 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
08/27/2025 at 1500 MDT | 08/27/2025 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +612.2 LI... -2.4 | CAPE... +353.1 LI... -2.1
CINH... -3.2 K Index... +28.4 | CINH... -9.5 K Index... +29.7
|
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 -64.1 -83.4 240 28 14 2.2 1.2 | -63.9 -83.0 250 32 16 2.2 1.2
45000 -58.4 -73.1 245 47 24 6.7 3.7 | -58.3 -72.9 250 53 27 6.5 3.6
40000 -48.5 -55.3 245 61 31 5.9 3.2 | -48.7 -55.7 255 66 34 6.0 3.3
38000 -45.0 -49.0 250 61 32 5.9 3.2 | -45.1 -49.2 255 65 34 6.0 3.3
36000 -41.0 -41.8 255 62 32 6.2 3.4 | -41.1 -42.0 255 65 33 6.3 3.4
34000 -37.0 -34.6 250 53 27 6.7 3.7 | -37.1 -34.8 260 55 28 6.7 3.7
32000 -32.9 -27.2 250 43 22 6.9 3.8 | -33.1 -27.6 260 44 23 6.8 3.7
30000 -29.3 -20.7 250 40 20 6.0 3.3 | -29.0 -20.2 255 39 20 6.8 3.7
29000 -27.5 -17.5 245 39 20 6.0 3.3 | -27.0 -16.6 255 37 19 6.8 3.7
28000 -25.7 -14.3 245 37 19 6.7 3.7 | -25.0 -13.0 255 35 18 6.4 3.5
27000 -23.6 -10.5 250 34 18 7.0 3.8 | -23.1 -9.6 255 33 17 6.3 3.4
26000 -21.5 -6.7 250 31 16 7.0 3.8 | -21.2 -6.2 255 30 15 6.3 3.4
25000 -19.4 -2.9 255 28 14 7.0 3.9 | -19.4 -2.9 255 27 14 6.3 3.4
24000 -17.1 1.2 255 26 13 7.8 4.3 | -17.3 0.9 250 25 13 7.2 3.9
23000 -14.8 5.4 250 23 12 7.9 4.3 | -15.2 4.6 250 23 12 7.2 4.0
22000 -12.0 10.4 245 21 11 6.4 3.5 | -12.5 9.5 250 20 10 6.4 3.5
21000 -10.3 13.5 245 20 10 5.8 3.2 | -10.8 12.6 250 19 10 6.1 3.4
20000 -8.6 16.5 250 19 10 5.7 3.2 | -9.0 15.8 255 18 9 6.3 3.4
19500 -7.8 18.0 250 19 10 5.6 3.0 | -8.2 17.2 260 17 9 6.2 3.4
19000 -7.1 19.2 250 18 10 4.6 2.5 | -7.3 18.9 260 16 8 5.6 3.1
18500 -6.4 20.5 250 18 9 4.6 2.5 | -6.5 20.3 260 16 8 5.7 3.1
18000 -5.8 21.6 250 18 9 4.8 2.6 | -5.7 21.7 260 15 8 5.8 3.2
17500 -5.1 22.8 250 17 9 5.6 2.7 | -4.9 23.2 260 15 7 5.9 3.2
17000 -4.4 24.1 250 16 8 5.3 2.9 | -4.1 24.6 255 14 7 6.1 3.4
16500 -3.5 25.7 250 16 8 6.8 3.8 | -3.1 26.4 255 14 7 6.9 3.8
16000 -2.6 27.3 250 15 8 6.8 3.7 | -2.2 28.0 255 14 7 6.9 3.8
15500 -1.6 29.1 250 15 7 7.2 4.0 | -1.2 29.8 255 14 7 7.0 3.9
15000 -0.6 30.9 250 14 7 7.2 4.0 | -0.2 31.6 255 14 7 7.0 3.9
14500 0.5 32.9 250 14 7 7.2 4.0 | 0.9 33.6 255 14 7 7.5 4.1
14000 1.5 34.7 250 13 7 7.3 4.0 | 2.0 35.6 255 14 7 7.8 4.3
13500 2.5 36.5 250 13 7 7.5 4.1 | 3.1 37.6 255 14 7 7.9 4.3
13000 3.6 38.5 250 13 7 7.8 4.3 | 4.3 39.7 255 13 7 8.1 4.4
12500 4.8 40.6 250 13 7 7.9 4.3 | 5.4 41.7 255 13 7 8.2 4.5
12000 5.9 42.6 250 13 7 8.2 4.5 | 6.6 43.9 255 13 7 8.3 4.6
11500 7.1 44.8 250 13 7 8.2 4.5 | 7.8 46.0 255 12 6 8.5 4.6
11000 8.3 46.9 250 13 6 8.2 4.5 | 9.1 48.4 250 12 6 8.8 4.9
10500 9.5 49.1 250 12 6 6.0 3.3 | 10.4 50.7 250 11 6 7.2 4.0
10250 9.8 49.6 250 12 6 6.7 3.7 | 10.8 51.4 250 11 6 7.7 4.2
10000 10.5 50.9 250 12 6 10.3 5.7 | 11.5 52.7 250 11 5 10.3 5.6
9750 11.2 52.2 250 11 6 9.5 5.2 | 12.2 54.0 250 10 5 9.6 5.3
9500 11.9 53.4 250 11 6 9.3 5.1 | 13.0 55.4 250 10 5 9.8 5.4
9250 12.5 54.5 250 10 5 8.6 4.7 | 13.7 56.7 250 9 5 9.5 5.2
9000 13.1 55.6 250 9 5 9.0 4.9 | 14.3 57.7 250 9 5 9.0 4.9
8750 13.8 56.8 250 9 5 9.4 5.2 | 15.0 59.0 250 9 4 8.7 4.8
8500 14.4 57.9 250 9 5 9.1 5.0 | 15.6 60.1 245 8 4 8.8 4.9
8250 15.6 60.1 250 8 4 9.4 5.2 | 16.3 61.3 245 8 4 8.8 4.8
8000 16.4 61.5 250 8 4 11.7 6.4 | 17.6 63.7 250 7 4 9.6 5.2
7750 17.3 63.1 250 8 4 9.7 5.3 | 18.3 64.9 250 7 4 9.4 5.1
7500 17.9 64.2 250 7 4 7.6 4.2 | 19.0 66.2 250 7 3 9.1 5.0
7250 18.4 65.1 250 7 3 8.9 4.9 | 19.7 67.5 250 6 3 9.5 5.2
7000 19.2 66.6 255 7 3 11.4 6.3 | 20.4 68.7 250 6 3 10.4 5.7
6750 20.1 68.2 255 7 4 10.8 5.9 | 21.2 70.2 245 6 3 10.2 5.6
6500 20.8 69.4 255 6 3 9.5 5.2 | 21.9 71.4 245 6 3 9.9 5.4
6250 21.5 70.7 255 6 3 9.0 4.9 | 22.6 72.7 245 6 3 9.3 5.1
6000 22.2 72.0 255 6 3 14.0 7.7 | 23.3 73.9 245 5 3 10.4 5.7
5750 23.7 74.7 260 5 3 25.7 14.1 | 24.2 75.6 245 5 3 15.0 8.3
5500 25.2 77.4 260 4 2 7.1 3.9 | 25.3 77.5 245 4 2 11.7 6.4
5250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
5000 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) and again by approximately 1830 MST/1930 MDT (0130 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 at Walker Field in Grand
Junction, Colorado at
North Latitude: 39 deg 07 min 00.001 sec
West Longitude: 108 deg 31 min 59.998 sec
Elevation: 4839 feet (1475 meters)
and may not be representative of other areas along the Western Slope of
Colorado. 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.
CINH (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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