Soaring Guidance
Issued by NWS Pueblo, CO

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000
UXUS97 KPUB 181319
SRGPUB

Soaring Forecast
National Weather Service Pueblo, Colorado
0719 MDT Monday, March 18, 2024

This forecast is for the Air Force Academy for Monday, March 18, 2024:

If the trigger temperature of 39.4 F/4.1 C is reached...then
   Thermal Soaring Index....................... Good
   Maximum rate of lift........................ 468 ft/min (2.4 m/s)
   Maximum height of thermals.................. 13365 ft MSL (5744 ft AGL)

Forecast maximum temperature................... 45.0 F/7.7 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1130 MDT
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................. 11603 ft MSL (3982 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Tuesday 03/19...... Good

Wave Soaring Index............................. Not available

Remarks...

Sunrise/Sunset.................... 07:04:30 / 19:09:39 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 12 hr 5 min 9 sec (725 min 9 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:07:05 MDT... 50.46 degrees

Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 03/18/2024 at 0600 MDT

Freezing level.................. Entire airmass below 32 F / 0 C
Convective condensation level... 15328 ft MSL (7707 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 14034 ft MSL (6414 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... +3.7
K index......................... -2.5

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  -58.0 -72.4   295   24   12   0.2   0.1      M     M       M      M    M
 45000  -57.7 -71.9   300   22   11   0.5   0.3      M     M       M      M    M
 40000  -60.9 -77.6   035   28   14  -2.3  -1.3      M     M       M      M    M
 38000  -60.8 -77.4   045   38   20   4.6   2.5      M     M       M      M    M
 36000  -57.7 -71.9   040   44   23   4.6   2.5      M     M       M      M    M
 34000  -54.8 -66.6   035   48   25   6.5   3.6      M     M       M      M    M
 32000  -51.0 -59.8   035   44   22   6.4   3.5      M     M       M      M    M
 30000  -47.0 -52.6   035   40   21   7.6   4.2   21.6  70.8    11.0      M    M
 29000  -44.7 -48.5   035   39   20   7.6   4.1   20.6  69.1    10.4      M    M
 28000  -42.5 -44.5   035   37   19   7.6   4.1   19.8  67.6     9.9      M    M
 27000  -40.2 -40.4   035   36   18   7.8   4.3   19.1  66.4     9.5      M    M
 26000  -37.7 -35.9   035   35   18   8.4   4.6   18.5  65.3     9.1      M    M
 25000  -35.2 -31.4   035   33   17   8.4   4.6   18.0  64.3     8.8      M    M
 24000  -32.7 -26.9   035   32   17   8.4   4.6   17.6  63.6     8.5      M    M
 23000  -30.1 -22.2   035   31   16   8.7   4.8   17.1  62.7     8.2      M    M
 22000  -26.9 -16.4   035   30   16   8.7   4.8   16.6  61.9     8.0      M    M
 21000  -24.3 -11.7   035   29   15   7.9   4.4   16.2  61.2     7.7      M    M
 20000  -21.9  -7.4   030   26   13   8.0   4.4   15.6  60.0     7.2      M    M
 19500  -20.7  -5.3   030   24   12   8.0   4.4   15.3  59.5     7.0      M    M
 19000  -19.5  -3.1   030   23   12   8.1   4.4   15.0  59.0     6.8      M    M
 18500  -18.4  -1.1   030   21   11   7.2   3.9   14.7  58.4     6.5      M    M
 18000  -17.3   0.9   025   20   10   7.2   3.9   14.2  57.6     6.2      M    M
 17500  -16.3   2.7   025   19   10   6.9   3.8   13.8  56.9     5.8      M    M
 17000  -15.3   4.5   020   20   10   6.6   3.6   13.3  55.9     5.4      M    M
 16500  -14.3   6.3   020   20   10   6.5   3.6   12.7  54.9     4.9      M    M
 16000  -13.5   7.7   015   20   10   5.0   2.7   12.1  53.7     4.3      M    M
 15500  -12.8   9.0   015   20   10   5.2   2.8   11.3  52.3     3.6      M    M
 15000  -12.0  10.4   010   20   10   4.5   2.4   10.5  50.9     2.9      M    M
 14500  -11.4  11.5   005   20   10   4.5   2.5    9.6  49.4     2.1      M    M
 14000  -10.8  12.6   360   20   10   3.8   2.1    8.8  47.8     1.2      M    M
 13500  -10.2  13.6   350   20   11   3.6   2.0    7.8  46.0     0.3      M    M
 13000   -9.7  14.5   345   21   11   3.8   2.1    6.8  44.2    -0.6    447  2.3
 12500   -9.2  15.4   345   21   11   3.8   2.1    5.9  42.6    -1.5    416  2.1
 12000   -8.6  16.5   340   21   11   5.3   2.9    4.9  40.9    -2.5    385  2.0
 11750   -8.2  17.2   340   20   10   6.7   3.7    4.7  40.4    -2.8    364  1.8
 11500   -7.7  18.1   340   20   10   5.9   3.2    4.4  39.9    -3.1    343  1.7
 11250   -7.4  18.7   340   19   10   4.0   2.2    4.0  39.3    -3.4    325  1.7
 11000   -7.1  19.2   340   18    9   5.7   3.1    3.6  38.5    -3.9    309  1.6
 10750   -6.5  20.3   340   17    9   7.8   4.3    3.4  38.1    -4.1    285  1.4
 10500   -6.0  21.2   340   16    8   7.3   4.0    3.2  37.8    -4.3    261  1.3
 10250   -5.5  22.1   340   14    7   6.9   3.8    3.0  37.5    -4.5    238  1.2
 10000   -4.9  23.2   335   13    7   8.1   4.5    2.8  37.1    -4.7    215  1.1
  9750   -4.2  24.4   330   12    6   9.5   5.2    2.8  37.0    -4.8    187  0.9
  9500   -3.6  25.5   325   11    6   9.6   5.3    2.8  37.0    -4.8    159  0.8
  9250   -2.9  26.8   320   10    5   7.8   4.3    2.7  36.9    -4.9    131  0.7
  9000   -2.4  27.7   320    9    5   7.4   4.0    2.5  36.5    -5.1    108  0.5
  8750   -1.7  28.9   315    9    5   9.1   5.0    2.4  36.3    -5.2     82  0.4
  8500   -1.1  30.0   315    8    4   8.2   4.5    2.3  36.2    -5.3     56  0.3
  8250   -0.6  30.9   310    8    4   5.5   3.0    2.1  35.9    -5.6     33  0.2
  8000   -0.8  30.6   310    7    4 -15.8  -8.7    1.2  34.2    -6.5     32  0.2
  7750   -3.2  26.2   295    6    3 -46.1 -25.3   -1.9  28.5    -9.7     96  0.5
  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 * * * * * *

           03/18/2024 at 0900 MDT          |       03/18/2024 at 1200 MDT
                                           |
CAPE...     0.0    LI...       +4.3        | CAPE...     0.0    LI...       +3.1
CINH...     0.0    K Index...  -4.4        | CINH...     0.0    K Index...  -3.0
                                           |
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 -57.9 -72.2  295  23 12   0.2   0.1 | -58.1 -72.6  295  19 10   0.0   0.0
 45000 -57.6 -71.7  295  19 10   0.6   0.3 | -58.1 -72.6  295  16  8   0.4   0.2
 40000 -62.2 -80.0  040  26 13  -3.1  -1.7 | -62.3 -80.1  055  19 10  -2.8  -1.5
 38000 -61.1 -78.0  045  34 17   6.1   3.4 | -61.0 -77.8  060  25 13   6.3   3.4
 36000 -57.4 -71.3  045  38 19   6.2   3.4 | -57.2 -71.0  055  27 14   6.3   3.4
 34000 -53.8 -64.8  040  40 21   5.9   3.2 | -53.4 -64.1  055  28 14   6.6   3.6
 32000 -50.2 -58.4  040  37 19   5.9   3.2 | -49.4 -56.9  055  25 13   6.6   3.6
 30000 -46.5 -51.7  040  35 18   7.2   3.9 | -45.4 -49.7  055  24 12   7.2   3.9
 29000 -44.4 -47.9  040  34 17   7.2   3.9 | -43.2 -45.8  050  24 12   7.2   3.9
 28000 -42.2 -44.0  035  33 17   7.2   3.9 | -41.1 -42.0  050  24 13   7.2   3.9
 27000 -40.1 -40.2  035  32 17   7.7   4.2 | -38.9 -38.0  050  25 13   7.4   4.0
 26000 -37.6 -35.7  035  31 16   8.3   4.6 | -36.7 -34.1  045  24 12   7.5   4.1
 25000 -35.1 -31.2  035  29 15   8.3   4.6 | -34.4 -29.9  045  22 12   7.5   4.1
 24000 -32.6 -26.7  030  28 14   8.4   4.6 | -32.2 -26.0  040  21 11   7.8   4.3
 23000 -29.4 -20.9  030  25 13   8.5   4.6 | -29.0 -20.2  035  20 10   8.4   4.6
 22000 -26.9 -16.4  030  24 12   8.5   4.6 | -26.5 -15.7  035  19 10   8.4   4.6
 21000 -24.4 -11.9  030  22 11   8.3   4.5 | -24.0 -11.2  035  18  9   8.0   4.4
 20000 -21.9  -7.4  030  22 11   8.3   4.6 | -21.6  -6.9  030  18  9   8.1   4.4
 19500 -20.7  -5.3  035  21 11   8.3   4.6 | -20.4  -4.7  030  17  9   8.1   4.4
 19000 -19.4  -2.9  035  21 11   8.3   4.6 | -19.2  -2.6  025  17  9   8.1   4.4
 18500 -18.2  -0.8  035  20 10   7.9   4.3 | -18.0  -0.4  030  17  9   8.3   4.5
 18000 -17.0   1.4  035  19 10   8.0   4.4 | -16.7   1.9  030  16  8   8.3   4.5
 17500 -15.8   3.6  035  19 10   7.8   4.3 | -15.5   4.1  030  16  8   8.2   4.5
 17000 -14.7   5.5  030  18  9   7.6   4.2 | -14.3   6.3  030  16  8   8.2   4.5
 16500 -13.5   7.7  030  17  9   7.5   4.1 | -13.0   8.6  030  15  8   8.1   4.4
 16000 -12.5   9.5  025  17  9   6.8   3.7 | -11.8  10.8  030  15  8   7.9   4.3
 15500 -11.5  11.3  020  17  9   7.0   3.8 | -10.7  12.7  025  15  8   7.9   4.3
 15000 -10.6  12.9  015  17  9   5.1   2.8 |  -9.6  14.7  025  16  8   6.6   3.6
 14500  -9.8  14.4  010  18  9   5.4   3.0 |  -8.6  16.5  020  17  8   6.8   3.7
 14000  -9.1  15.6  010  19 10   4.0   2.2 |  -7.7  18.1  015  17  9   5.1   2.8
 13500  -8.5  16.7  005  19 10   3.9   2.2 |  -6.9  19.6  015  18  9   5.2   2.9
 13000  -8.0  17.6  360  19 10   2.6   1.4 |  -6.2  20.8  010  19 10   4.2   2.3
 12500  -7.7  18.1  360  19 10   2.4   1.3 |  -5.7  21.7  010  19 10   3.8   2.1
 12000  -7.3  18.9  355  19 10   2.7   1.5 |  -5.1  22.8  005  18  9   3.0   1.7
 11750  -7.1  19.2  355  19 10   2.9   1.6 |  -4.9  23.2  005  18  9   2.8   1.5
 11500  -6.9  19.6  350  19 10   2.5   1.4 |  -4.7  23.5  360  18  9   3.0   1.6
 11250  -6.8  19.8  350  18  9   2.4   1.3 |  -4.5  23.9  360  17  9   3.0   1.7
 11000  -6.5  20.3  345  18  9   5.1   2.8 |  -4.3  24.3  355  16  8   2.6   1.4
 10750  -6.1  21.0  345  17  9   6.7   3.7 |  -4.1  24.6  350  15  8   2.7   1.5
 10500  -5.6  21.9  345  16  8   6.4   3.5 |  -4.0  24.8  345  15  7   1.9   1.0
 10250  -5.2  22.6  345  16  8   6.0   3.3 |  -3.8  25.2  340  14  7   5.4   3.0
 10000  -4.7  23.5  345  14  7   7.9   4.3 |  -3.2  26.2  335  12  6   8.6   4.7
  9750  -4.1  24.6  345  13  7   9.6   5.3 |  -2.7  27.1  335  11  5   7.5   4.1
  9500  -3.4  25.9  345  12  6   9.7   5.3 |  -2.1  28.2  330   9  5   7.9   4.4
  9250  -2.7  27.1  340  11  6   7.8   4.3 |  -1.6  29.1  320   7  4   7.7   4.2
  9000  -2.2  28.0  340  10  5   7.0   3.9 |  -1.0  30.2  325   8  4   9.7   5.3
  8750  -1.6  29.1  335   9  5   8.8   4.8 |  -0.1  31.8  325   7  4  11.5   6.3
  8500  -1.0  30.2  335   8  4   7.8   4.3 |   0.7  33.3  325   7  4  10.8   5.9
  8250  -0.5  31.1  330   8  4   5.4   3.0 |   1.4  34.5  325   7  3   9.4   5.2
  8000  -0.3  31.5  330   7  4   0.8   0.5 |   2.2  36.0  325   6  3  12.7   7.0
  7750  -0.4  31.3  315   5  3  -3.0  -1.7 |   3.4  38.1  325   6  3  20.8  11.4
  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

           03/18/2024 at 1500 MDT          |       03/18/2024 at 1800 MDT
                                           |
CAPE...    +0.2    LI...       +2.9        | CAPE...    +6.8    LI...       +1.7
CINH...     0.0    K Index...  +0.2        | CINH...    -3.9    K Index...  -3.7
                                           |
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 -58.6 -73.5  280  18  9   0.1   0.0 | -59.3 -74.7  275  22 11   0.1   0.1
 45000 -58.5 -73.3  280  15  8   0.2   0.1 | -59.2 -74.6  280  19 10   0.2   0.1
 40000 -62.4 -80.3  045  13  7  -2.6  -1.5 | -62.0 -79.6  025   9  5  -1.9  -1.0
 38000 -61.0 -77.8  055  18  9   6.4   3.5 | -60.5 -76.9  045  13  7   6.0   3.3
 36000 -57.1 -70.8  055  18  9   6.4   3.5 | -56.9 -70.4  045  14  7   6.0   3.3
 34000 -53.3 -63.9  060  18  9   6.6   3.6 | -53.2 -63.8  045  14  7   6.6   3.6
 32000 -49.3 -56.7  055  15  8   6.6   3.6 | -49.2 -56.6  040  13  7   6.6   3.6
 30000 -45.2 -49.4  050  14  7   7.5   4.1 | -45.1 -49.2  040  13  6   7.2   3.9
 29000 -43.0 -45.4  050  16  8   7.5   4.1 | -42.9 -45.2  040  13  7   7.2   4.0
 28000 -40.7 -41.3  050  17  9   7.5   4.1 | -40.8 -41.4  035  13  7   7.2   4.0
 27000 -38.5 -37.3  050  18  9   7.4   4.1 | -38.6 -37.5  035  14  7   7.4   4.1
 26000 -36.3 -33.3  050  18  9   7.4   4.0 | -36.3 -33.3  040  14  7   7.5   4.1
 25000 -34.1 -29.4  050  18  9   7.4   4.0 | -34.1 -29.4  045  14  7   7.6   4.1
 24000 -31.9 -25.4  050  18  9   7.6   4.2 | -31.2 -24.2  045  14  7   7.8   4.3
 23000 -28.8 -19.8  045  17  9   8.2   4.5 | -28.9 -20.0  045  15  7   7.9   4.3
 22000 -26.4 -15.5  045  16  8   8.2   4.5 | -26.5 -15.7  045  15  8   7.9   4.3
 21000 -23.9 -11.0  040  15  8   7.9   4.3 | -24.1 -11.4  045  15  8   8.8   4.8
 20000 -21.6  -6.9  040  15  8   7.9   4.3 | -21.4  -6.5  045  14  7   8.7   4.8
 19500 -20.4  -4.7  035  15  8   7.9   4.3 | -20.1  -4.2  040  14  7   8.7   4.8
 19000 -19.2  -2.6  035  15  8   7.9   4.3 | -18.8  -1.8  040  14  7   8.7   4.8
 18500 -18.1  -0.6  035  15  8   7.7   4.2 | -17.6   0.3  040  13  7   7.2   4.0
 18000 -16.9   1.6  030  14  7   7.7   4.2 | -16.5   2.3  035  13  6   7.4   4.0
 17500 -15.8   3.6  030  14  7   7.7   4.2 | -15.4   4.3  035  12  6   7.1   3.9
 17000 -14.6   5.7  030  13  7   7.7   4.2 | -14.4   6.1  035  11  6   7.1   3.9
 16500 -13.5   7.7  025  13  7   7.7   4.2 | -13.4   7.9  030  10  5   7.1   3.9
 16000 -12.3   9.9  025  13  7   7.7   4.2 | -12.3   9.9  025  10  5   7.4   4.1
 15500 -11.2  11.8  025  13  7   7.7   4.2 | -11.2  11.8  020  10  5   7.4   4.1
 15000 -10.1  13.8  020  14  7   6.8   3.7 | -10.0  14.0  015  10  5   7.7   4.2
 14500  -9.0  15.8  020  14  7   7.0   3.9 |  -8.9  16.0  015  10  5   7.8   4.3
 14000  -8.1  17.4  020  15  8   5.4   3.0 |  -7.8  18.0  010  10  5   6.6   3.6
 13500  -7.3  18.9  015  15  8   5.4   3.0 |  -6.8  19.8  010  10  5   6.5   3.6
 13000  -6.5  20.3  015  14  7   5.8   3.2 |  -5.8  21.6  010   9  5   6.5   3.6
 12500  -5.6  21.9  015  14  7   5.6   3.1 |  -4.9  23.2  005   9  4   6.3   3.4
 12000  -4.8  23.4  010  13  7   5.7   3.1 |  -4.0  24.8  360   8  4   6.5   3.6
 11750  -4.4  24.1  005  12  6   5.6   3.1 |  -3.5  25.7  360   8  4   6.3   3.5
 11500  -4.0  24.8  360  11  6   5.8   3.2 |  -3.0  26.6  355   8  4   7.2   4.0
 11250  -3.5  25.7  355  11  6   6.1   3.3 |  -2.4  27.7  350   7  4   8.3   4.6
 11000  -3.1  26.4  350  10  5   6.2   3.4 |  -1.8  28.8  345   7  4   6.9   3.8
 10750  -2.7  27.1  340   9  5   6.3   3.5 |  -1.4  29.5  335   8  4   6.3   3.5
 10500  -2.3  27.9  330   8  4   6.2   3.4 |  -0.9  30.4  330   8  4   5.7   3.1
 10250  -1.9  28.6  320   8  4   7.3   4.0 |  -0.4  31.3  320   8  4   8.8   4.8
 10000  -1.2  29.8  315   7  3   8.7   4.8 |   0.3  32.5  315   8  4   9.4   5.2
  9750  -0.6  30.9  305   5  3   8.7   4.8 |   0.8  33.4  310   8  4   6.6   3.6
  9500   0.0  32.0  295   4  2   9.2   5.0 |   1.3  34.3  305   7  4   8.2   4.5
  9250   0.7  33.3  270   3  2   7.3   4.0 |   1.8  35.2  300   7  4   5.1   2.8
  9000   1.2  34.2  265   3  1   8.8   4.8 |   2.0  35.6  290   5  3   5.3   2.9
  8750   2.0  35.6  265   3  1  11.8   6.5 |   2.6  36.7  275   4  2   8.5   4.7
  8500   2.8  37.0  260   2  1  10.9   6.0 |   3.1  37.6  250   3  2   7.7   4.2
  8250   3.6  38.5  255   2  1   9.5   5.2 |   3.6  38.5  225   3  2   7.6   4.2
  8000   4.3  39.7  250   2  1  11.9   6.5 |   4.1  39.4  210   3  2   6.2   3.4
  7750   5.5  41.9  245   1  1  18.7  10.3 |   4.4  39.9  195   3  1   5.0   2.7
  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.

042613


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