Soaring Guidance
Issued by NWS Grand Junction, CO
Issued by NWS Grand Junction, CO
058 UXUS97 KGJT 051307 SRGGJT Soaring Forecast National Weather Service Grand Junction, Colorado 707 AM MDT Friday, July 5, 2024 This forecast is for Friday, July 5, 2024: If the trigger temperature of 76.9 F/25.0 C is reached...then Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent Maximum rate of lift........................ 1132 ft/min (5.8 m/s) Maximum height of thermals.................. 18035 ft MSL (13196 ft AGL) Forecast maximum temperature................... 92.0 F/33.8 C Time of trigger temperature.................... 1000 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................. 14569 ft MSL (9730 ft AGL) Thermal soaring outlook for Saturday 07/06..... Excellent Wave Soaring Index............................. Not available Remarks... Sunrise/Sunset.................... 05:54:28 / 20:43:19 MDT Total possible sunshine........... 14 hr 48 min 51 sec (888 min 51 sec) Altitude of sun at 13:18:54 MDT... 73.08 degrees Upper air data from rawinsonde observation taken on 07/05/2024 at 0600 MDT Freezing level.................. 14940 ft MSL (10101 ft AGL) Convective condensation level... 19939 ft MSL (15100 ft AGL) Lifted condensation level....... 19933 ft MSL (15093 ft AGL) Lifted index.................... +2.8 K index......................... -6.5 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 -61.9 -79.4 280 39 20 3.7 2.0 90.5 194.8 33.2 M M 45000 -57.8 -72.0 295 58 30 4.9 2.7 72.9 163.3 24.7 M M 40000 -49.0 -56.2 295 50 26 5.9 3.2 63.9 147.0 20.3 M M 38000 -45.2 -49.4 290 51 26 7.2 3.9 61.0 141.7 18.9 M M 36000 -42.4 -44.3 285 49 25 3.7 2.0 56.5 133.7 16.2 M M 34000 -38.9 -38.0 290 49 25 5.6 3.1 52.2 126.0 13.6 M M 32000 -35.5 -31.9 285 45 23 6.4 3.5 48.8 119.8 11.4 M M 30000 -31.1 -24.0 295 42 22 7.0 3.8 46.8 116.3 10.2 M M 29000 -29.4 -20.9 305 39 20 6.8 3.7 45.3 113.5 9.2 M M 28000 -26.9 -16.4 305 41 21 8.3 4.5 44.7 112.5 8.8 M M 27000 -24.5 -12.1 305 39 20 7.5 4.1 44.1 111.3 8.4 M M 26000 -22.3 -8.1 310 39 20 7.3 4.0 43.1 109.7 7.8 M M 25000 -20.1 -4.2 310 38 20 7.3 4.0 42.2 108.0 7.1 M M 24000 -17.9 -0.2 310 37 19 7.4 4.0 41.3 106.3 6.4 M M 23000 -15.8 3.6 315 38 19 6.6 3.6 40.3 104.5 5.7 M M 22000 -13.8 7.2 325 41 21 7.0 3.8 39.2 102.5 4.8 M M 21000 -12.3 9.9 335 37 19 4.7 2.6 37.4 99.4 3.4 M M 20000 -12.0 10.4 325 29 15 5.9 3.2 34.3 93.8 0.8 M M 19500 -10.9 12.4 325 28 14 7.5 4.1 34.0 93.2 0.5 M M 19000 -9.6 14.7 320 29 15 8.9 4.9 33.7 92.7 0.3 M M 18500 -7.6 18.3 325 28 15 8.7 4.8 33.5 92.3 0.1 M M 18000 -6.4 20.5 325 29 15 8.2 4.5 33.3 91.9 -0.1 1117 5.7 17500 -5.1 22.8 325 26 13 8.2 4.5 33.0 91.4 -0.3 1065 5.4 17000 -3.9 25.0 320 27 14 8.2 4.5 32.8 91.0 -0.5 1013 5.1 16500 -2.7 27.1 320 26 13 7.0 3.8 32.5 90.4 -0.8 962 4.9 16000 -1.8 28.8 315 25 13 6.1 3.4 31.8 89.3 -1.4 920 4.7 15500 -0.9 30.4 315 23 12 6.1 3.4 31.2 88.2 -1.9 879 4.5 15000 0.0 32.0 320 19 10 6.3 3.5 30.6 87.1 -2.5 837 4.3 14500 0.9 33.6 325 16 8 5.7 3.1 30.0 86.0 -3.2 797 4.1 14000 1.7 35.1 335 13 7 5.9 3.3 29.3 84.8 -3.8 758 3.9 13500 2.5 36.5 335 13 7 6.1 3.4 28.7 83.7 -4.5 719 3.7 13000 3.6 38.5 330 14 7 9.1 5.0 28.4 83.1 -4.9 671 3.4 12500 4.7 40.5 340 12 6 5.8 3.2 28.0 82.4 -5.3 622 3.2 12000 5.5 41.9 355 11 6 5.9 3.3 27.4 81.2 -5.9 583 3.0 11500 6.4 43.5 355 15 7 7.1 3.9 26.7 80.1 -6.6 544 2.8 11000 7.6 45.7 355 17 9 8.7 4.8 26.5 79.8 -6.8 491 2.5 10500 8.9 48.0 015 11 6 9.0 5.0 26.4 79.5 -7.0 437 2.2 10250 9.6 49.3 015 9 5 9.5 5.2 26.3 79.4 -7.1 409 2.1 10000 10.3 50.5 010 8 4 9.4 5.2 26.3 79.4 -7.1 380 1.9 9750 11.0 51.8 025 11 6 9.6 5.3 26.3 79.3 -7.2 352 1.8 9500 11.7 53.1 030 15 8 7.3 4.0 26.2 79.2 -7.3 325 1.7 9250 12.1 53.8 035 19 10 5.4 3.0 25.9 78.7 -7.6 306 1.6 9000 12.5 54.5 040 23 12 7.6 4.1 25.7 78.2 -8.0 285 1.4 8750 13.1 55.6 035 19 10 8.7 4.8 25.6 78.0 -8.1 259 1.3 8500 13.8 56.8 040 14 7 8.4 4.6 25.5 77.8 -8.2 232 1.2 8250 14.4 57.9 045 9 5 8.5 4.7 25.4 77.7 -8.3 206 1.0 8000 15.0 59.0 060 5 2 8.5 4.6 25.3 77.5 -8.4 180 0.9 7750 15.7 60.3 060 3 1 8.5 4.6 25.2 77.4 -8.5 153 0.8 7500 16.3 61.3 010 1 1 8.5 4.6 25.1 77.2 -8.6 127 0.6 7250 16.9 62.4 335 2 1 8.5 4.6 25.0 77.0 -8.7 100 0.5 7000 17.6 63.7 325 4 2 8.5 4.6 24.9 76.8 -8.8 74 0.4 6750 18.2 64.8 335 4 2 8.5 4.6 24.8 76.6 -9.0 48 0.2 6500 18.8 65.8 355 6 3 8.5 4.6 24.7 76.5 -9.1 21 0.1 6250 19.5 67.1 005 7 4 8.5 4.6 24.6 76.3 -9.2 M M 6000 20.1 68.2 005 8 4 8.5 4.6 24.5 76.1 -9.3 M M 5750 20.7 69.3 005 8 4 8.5 4.7 24.4 75.9 -9.5 M M 5500 21.4 70.5 005 7 4 8.4 4.6 24.3 75.7 -9.6 M M 5250 22.0 71.6 005 7 4 8.7 4.8 24.2 75.5 -9.7 M M 5000 22.6 72.7 360 8 4 5.7 3.1 24.0 75.3 -9.9 M M * * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * * 07/05/2024 at 0900 MDT | 07/05/2024 at 1200 MDT | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +5.6 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +4.8 CINH... 0.0 K Index... -7.0 | CINH... -1.2 K Index... -3.2 | 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 -60.9 -77.6 305 32 16 2.3 1.3 | -61.1 -78.0 305 31 16 2.4 1.3 45000 -56.2 -69.2 300 46 24 5.0 2.7 | -55.9 -68.6 300 45 23 5.6 3.0 40000 -48.7 -55.7 295 48 25 5.1 2.8 | -47.8 -54.0 305 52 27 4.2 2.3 38000 -45.6 -50.1 300 47 24 5.1 2.8 | -45.4 -49.7 305 52 27 4.1 2.3 36000 -42.1 -43.8 300 47 24 5.1 2.8 | -42.6 -44.7 310 52 27 4.1 2.2 34000 -39.2 -38.6 305 46 24 4.9 2.7 | -39.8 -39.6 310 51 26 4.7 2.6 32000 -36.3 -33.3 310 46 23 4.7 2.6 | -37.0 -34.6 310 51 26 4.6 2.5 30000 -32.1 -25.8 310 44 23 7.4 4.1 | -32.8 -27.0 310 46 24 7.5 4.1 29000 -29.9 -21.8 310 43 22 7.4 4.1 | -30.6 -23.1 310 43 22 7.5 4.1 28000 -27.6 -17.7 310 42 22 7.5 4.1 | -28.4 -19.1 310 41 21 7.5 4.1 27000 -25.4 -13.7 310 41 21 7.6 4.2 | -26.1 -15.0 310 39 20 7.6 4.2 26000 -23.1 -9.6 310 40 20 7.6 4.2 | -23.8 -10.8 310 37 19 7.6 4.2 25000 -20.8 -5.4 310 38 20 7.7 4.3 | -21.5 -6.7 310 35 18 7.7 4.2 24000 -18.8 -1.8 315 38 20 6.4 3.5 | -19.5 -3.1 315 35 18 6.7 3.7 23000 -16.9 1.6 315 39 20 6.4 3.5 | -17.4 0.7 315 35 18 6.7 3.7 22000 -14.5 5.9 320 39 20 6.1 3.3 | -14.9 5.2 320 35 18 6.7 3.6 21000 -12.8 9.0 325 39 20 5.9 3.2 | -13.0 8.6 320 35 18 6.6 3.6 20000 -11.0 12.2 325 38 20 6.0 3.3 | -11.0 12.2 320 34 18 6.6 3.6 19500 -10.2 13.6 325 38 20 6.1 3.4 | -10.0 14.0 320 34 18 6.7 3.7 19000 -9.1 15.6 325 37 19 7.4 4.1 | -9.0 15.8 325 33 17 7.3 4.0 18500 -8.0 17.6 330 36 19 7.3 4.0 | -7.9 17.8 325 32 16 7.2 4.0 18000 -6.9 19.6 330 35 18 7.6 4.2 | -6.8 19.8 325 31 16 7.5 4.1 17500 -5.8 21.6 330 33 17 7.6 4.2 | -5.7 21.7 325 30 15 7.6 4.2 17000 -4.6 23.7 330 31 16 7.6 4.1 | -4.5 23.9 325 28 15 7.5 4.1 16500 -3.5 25.7 330 29 15 7.1 3.9 | -3.4 25.9 325 27 14 7.2 3.9 16000 -2.5 27.5 325 27 14 7.2 3.9 | -2.4 27.7 330 25 13 7.2 4.0 15500 -1.4 29.5 330 25 13 6.9 3.8 | -1.3 29.7 330 23 12 6.7 3.7 15000 -0.4 31.3 330 23 12 6.9 3.8 | -0.3 31.5 330 21 11 6.7 3.7 14500 0.6 33.1 330 21 11 6.5 3.6 | 0.7 33.3 335 19 10 6.9 3.8 14000 1.5 34.7 330 18 10 6.4 3.5 | 1.7 35.1 335 17 9 6.9 3.8 13500 2.4 36.3 335 16 8 6.4 3.5 | 2.7 36.9 335 15 7 7.0 3.9 13000 3.4 38.1 335 15 7 6.4 3.5 | 3.7 38.7 340 13 7 7.1 3.9 12500 4.3 39.7 340 13 7 6.6 3.6 | 4.8 40.6 345 11 6 7.4 4.0 12000 5.3 41.5 345 12 6 7.1 3.9 | 5.9 42.6 345 10 5 7.8 4.3 11500 6.3 43.3 355 11 5 7.2 3.9 | 7.0 44.6 355 9 4 7.9 4.4 11000 7.4 45.3 005 10 5 7.4 4.0 | 8.2 46.8 355 8 4 8.2 4.5 10500 8.5 47.3 015 10 5 7.2 3.9 | 9.4 48.9 360 7 4 7.4 4.1 10250 9.0 48.2 015 10 5 7.2 3.9 | 10.0 50.0 005 7 3 8.1 4.4 10000 9.6 49.3 020 10 5 7.6 4.2 | 10.6 51.1 005 7 3 9.7 5.3 9750 10.1 50.2 025 10 5 7.6 4.1 | 11.3 52.3 005 6 3 9.5 5.2 9500 10.7 51.3 030 11 6 7.9 4.3 | 12.0 53.6 005 6 3 9.4 5.2 9250 11.3 52.3 035 11 6 8.7 4.8 | 12.7 54.9 005 6 3 9.2 5.1 9000 12.0 53.6 035 11 6 8.0 4.4 | 13.4 56.1 010 5 3 9.1 5.0 8750 12.5 54.5 035 11 5 7.2 4.0 | 14.1 57.4 005 5 3 9.1 5.0 8500 13.0 55.4 040 10 5 7.5 4.1 | 14.8 58.6 005 5 3 8.8 4.8 8250 13.6 56.5 040 10 5 7.4 4.1 | 15.4 59.7 005 5 3 7.6 4.2 8000 14.7 58.5 045 10 5 8.2 4.5 | 16.8 62.2 005 5 2 12.5 6.9 7750 15.3 59.5 045 9 4 6.9 3.8 | 17.7 63.9 005 5 2 9.9 5.4 7500 15.7 60.3 045 8 4 5.6 3.1 | 18.3 64.9 005 4 2 7.2 4.0 7250 16.2 61.2 050 7 4 7.1 3.9 | 18.9 66.0 005 4 2 9.4 5.1 7000 16.8 62.2 050 7 3 9.6 5.3 | 19.7 67.5 005 4 2 12.9 7.1 6750 17.5 63.5 045 6 3 7.9 4.3 | 20.7 69.3 005 4 2 11.5 6.3 6500 17.9 64.2 045 5 3 6.5 3.6 | 21.4 70.5 005 3 2 9.9 5.4 6250 18.4 65.1 045 4 2 5.1 2.8 | 22.2 72.0 005 3 2 8.7 4.8 6000 18.8 65.8 040 4 2 9.6 5.3 | 22.9 73.2 005 3 2 15.6 8.6 5750 20.0 68.0 040 3 2 23.2 12.7 | 24.7 76.5 360 3 1 32.4 17.8 5500 21.2 70.2 040 3 1 -2.7 -1.5 | 26.5 79.7 360 3 1 0.9 0.5 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 07/05/2024 at 1500 MDT | 07/05/2024 at 1800 MDT | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +3.4 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +2.0 CINH... 0.0 K Index... +4.2 | CINH... -0.5 K Index... +7.1 | 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 -60.7 -77.3 300 32 16 2.4 1.3 | -60.5 -76.9 300 35 18 2.3 1.2 45000 -55.8 -68.4 300 46 24 5.0 2.8 | -55.9 -68.6 300 50 26 4.7 2.6 40000 -48.5 -55.3 310 54 28 3.3 1.8 | -49.0 -56.2 310 56 29 3.1 1.7 38000 -46.6 -51.9 315 51 26 3.3 1.8 | -47.2 -53.0 310 52 27 3.1 1.7 36000 -44.3 -47.7 320 49 25 3.2 1.8 | -45.1 -49.2 305 47 24 2.9 1.6 34000 -40.7 -41.3 325 48 24 6.4 3.5 | -41.3 -42.3 310 44 23 6.7 3.7 32000 -36.8 -34.2 330 47 24 6.3 3.5 | -37.3 -35.1 315 42 22 6.6 3.6 30000 -32.2 -26.0 330 42 22 8.0 4.4 | -32.4 -26.3 315 40 20 8.4 4.6 29000 -29.8 -21.6 330 40 20 8.0 4.4 | -29.9 -21.8 320 39 20 8.4 4.6 28000 -27.4 -17.3 325 37 19 7.5 4.1 | -27.4 -17.3 320 38 19 8.0 4.4 27000 -25.3 -13.5 325 35 18 7.1 3.9 | -25.1 -13.2 325 36 19 7.6 4.2 26000 -23.1 -9.6 320 34 17 7.1 3.9 | -22.8 -9.0 325 35 18 7.6 4.2 25000 -21.0 -5.8 320 32 17 7.2 3.9 | -20.5 -4.9 325 34 17 7.8 4.3 24000 -19.0 -2.2 320 32 16 6.6 3.6 | -18.6 -1.5 325 33 17 5.9 3.2 23000 -17.0 1.4 320 32 17 6.7 3.7 | -16.9 1.6 330 33 17 5.9 3.2 22000 -14.5 5.9 320 33 17 6.5 3.6 | -14.7 5.5 330 32 16 6.3 3.4 21000 -12.6 9.3 325 32 17 6.5 3.5 | -12.8 9.0 330 30 16 6.5 3.6 20000 -10.7 12.7 325 32 16 6.5 3.6 | -10.9 12.4 330 29 15 6.5 3.6 19500 -9.7 14.5 325 32 16 6.6 3.6 | -9.9 14.2 335 28 14 6.7 3.7 19000 -8.7 16.3 325 30 16 7.1 3.9 | -8.9 16.0 335 27 14 7.1 3.9 18500 -7.7 18.1 325 29 15 7.1 3.9 | -7.9 17.8 335 25 13 7.0 3.8 18000 -6.6 20.1 330 27 14 7.1 3.9 | -6.8 19.8 335 24 12 7.9 4.3 17500 -5.6 21.9 330 25 13 7.2 3.9 | -5.6 21.9 335 22 11 8.1 4.4 17000 -4.5 23.9 330 23 12 7.3 4.0 | -4.4 24.1 335 21 11 8.3 4.5 16500 -3.4 25.9 330 21 11 7.7 4.2 | -3.1 26.4 335 19 10 8.7 4.8 16000 -2.3 27.9 330 19 10 7.7 4.2 | -1.8 28.8 335 18 9 8.7 4.8 15500 -1.1 30.0 335 17 9 8.2 4.5 | -0.5 31.1 335 16 8 9.0 5.0 15000 0.1 32.2 335 15 8 8.1 4.5 | 0.8 33.4 335 15 8 9.0 4.9 14500 1.3 34.3 335 14 7 8.3 4.6 | 2.1 35.8 335 14 7 9.3 5.1 14000 2.5 36.5 335 12 6 8.4 4.6 | 3.5 38.3 335 13 7 9.3 5.1 13500 3.8 38.8 335 11 5 8.5 4.7 | 4.9 40.8 335 12 6 9.3 5.1 13000 5.1 41.2 335 10 5 8.7 4.8 | 6.3 43.3 335 11 6 9.2 5.1 12500 6.3 43.3 335 9 5 8.8 4.8 | 7.7 45.9 335 10 5 9.3 5.1 12000 7.7 45.9 335 8 4 9.1 5.0 | 9.0 48.2 335 10 5 9.4 5.1 11500 9.0 48.2 335 7 4 9.1 5.0 | 10.4 50.7 330 9 5 9.4 5.2 11000 10.4 50.7 335 7 4 8.8 4.9 | 11.8 53.2 330 8 4 9.3 5.1 10500 11.7 53.1 335 6 3 6.2 3.4 | 13.2 55.8 330 8 4 7.9 4.3 10250 12.1 53.8 330 6 3 7.3 4.0 | 13.8 56.8 325 8 4 8.4 4.6 10000 12.9 55.2 330 6 3 11.5 6.3 | 14.5 58.1 325 7 4 10.7 5.9 9750 13.6 56.5 330 6 3 10.6 5.8 | 15.3 59.5 325 7 4 10.2 5.6 9500 14.4 57.9 325 5 3 9.9 5.4 | 16.1 61.0 325 7 3 10.0 5.5 9250 15.1 59.2 325 5 3 8.5 4.7 | 16.8 62.2 320 7 3 9.3 5.1 9000 15.8 60.4 320 5 3 9.6 5.3 | 17.5 63.5 320 6 3 9.1 5.0 8750 16.5 61.7 320 5 2 10.6 5.8 | 18.2 64.8 320 6 3 9.3 5.1 8500 17.3 63.1 320 5 2 9.5 5.2 | 18.8 65.8 315 6 3 9.0 4.9 8250 17.9 64.2 315 5 2 7.5 4.1 | 20.1 68.2 310 6 3 9.0 4.9 8000 19.4 66.9 310 4 2 12.6 6.9 | 20.8 69.4 310 6 3 11.0 6.0 7750 20.2 68.4 310 4 2 10.0 5.5 | 21.6 70.9 310 5 3 9.6 5.3 7500 20.9 69.6 305 4 2 7.5 4.1 | 22.3 72.1 305 5 3 8.1 4.5 7250 21.5 70.7 295 4 2 9.4 5.1 | 22.9 73.2 305 5 3 9.0 4.9 7000 22.3 72.1 295 4 2 12.4 6.8 | 23.6 74.5 300 5 3 11.4 6.2 6750 23.2 73.8 300 4 2 11.3 6.2 | 24.5 76.1 300 5 2 11.0 6.1 6500 24.0 75.2 290 4 2 10.1 5.5 | 25.3 77.5 300 5 2 10.1 5.5 6250 24.7 76.5 285 4 2 8.8 4.8 | 26.0 78.8 295 5 2 9.5 5.2 6000 25.5 77.9 285 4 2 15.3 8.4 | 26.8 80.2 295 5 2 11.4 6.3 5750 27.3 81.1 285 3 2 32.4 17.8 | 27.9 82.2 295 4 2 20.1 11.0 5500 29.2 84.6 275 3 2 6.8 3.7 | 29.5 85.1 290 4 2 19.7 10.8 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. 042613