Dangerous heat will persist across the Southwest U.S. through Friday with daytime highs of 110-115°F. Heat across the southern Plains will briefly ease to near-normal by late week before returning over much of the Plains into next week. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across parts of the Northeast U.S. on Thursday. Damaging wind, hail, and a tornado or two are possible. Read More >
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Currently there is no Airport Weather Warning in effect for the Albuquerque International Sunport
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Soaring Forecast for Moriarty NM
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
0726 MDT Wednesday August 26 2026
This forecast is for Wednesday, August 26, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 81.3 F/27.4 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 1548 ft/min (7.9 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 20449 ft MSL (14117 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 92.0 F/33.8 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1130 MDT
Time of overdevelopment........................ 1800 MDT
Middle/high clouds during soaring window....... None
Surface winds during soaring window............ 20 mph or less
Height of the -3 thermal index................. 15171 ft MSL (8839 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Thursday 08/27..... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:32:39 / 19:38:51 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 13 hr 6 min 12 sec (786 min 12 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:05:45 MDT... 65.19 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 08/26/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 16412 ft MSL (10080 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 15482 ft MSL (9150 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 16858 ft MSL (10525 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... -5.6
K index......................... +28.8
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 -64.7 -84.5 310 24 12 2.6 1.4 78.1 172.6 26.6 M M
45000 -59.7 -75.5 290 26 14 4.7 2.6 63.2 145.8 19.0 M M
40000 -52.0 -61.6 255 23 12 7.6 4.2 53.1 127.6 13.4 M M
38000 -46.9 -52.4 265 26 13 7.6 4.2 50.8 123.5 12.2 M M
36000 -42.3 -44.1 270 29 15 8.3 4.5 49.4 121.0 11.5 M M
34000 -37.3 -35.1 275 28 15 8.3 4.5 47.9 118.3 10.7 M M
32000 -32.4 -26.3 280 29 15 7.6 4.2 47.0 116.6 10.3 M M
30000 -28.2 -18.8 280 25 13 7.1 3.9 44.7 112.4 8.7 M M
29000 -26.1 -15.0 280 23 12 7.1 3.9 43.7 110.7 8.0 M M
28000 -24.0 -11.2 280 21 11 6.6 3.6 42.7 108.9 7.3 M M
27000 -22.0 -7.6 280 21 11 6.7 3.7 41.5 106.7 6.3 M M
26000 -20.0 -4.0 280 20 11 6.7 3.7 40.4 104.7 5.5 M M
25000 -18.0 -0.4 285 20 10 6.5 3.6 39.3 102.8 4.7 M M
24000 -16.2 2.8 285 18 9 6.4 3.5 38.0 100.4 3.6 M M
23000 -14.3 6.3 290 16 8 6.5 3.6 36.8 98.3 2.6 M M
22000 -12.4 9.7 295 14 7 6.7 3.7 35.8 96.4 1.6 M M
21000 -10.4 13.3 295 13 7 6.8 3.7 34.6 94.3 0.6 M M
20000 -8.0 17.6 295 12 6 6.8 3.7 33.4 92.1 -0.5 1297 6.6
19500 -7.0 19.4 290 12 6 6.9 3.8 32.9 91.3 -1.0 1253 6.4
19000 -6.0 21.2 295 11 5 6.9 3.8 32.4 90.3 -1.5 1209 6.1
18500 -5.0 23.0 295 10 5 7.1 3.9 31.9 89.5 -2.0 1165 5.9
18000 -3.9 25.0 295 9 5 8.0 4.4 31.6 88.9 -2.3 1117 5.7
17500 -2.8 27.0 290 9 5 7.9 4.3 31.3 88.3 -2.6 1067 5.4
17000 -1.5 29.3 290 9 5 9.5 5.2 31.1 88.0 -2.9 1015 5.2
16500 -0.1 31.8 290 9 4 9.6 5.3 31.1 87.9 -2.9 957 4.9
16000 1.4 34.5 290 9 4 9.6 5.3 31.1 87.9 -2.9 899 4.6
15500 2.8 37.0 290 9 4 9.5 5.2 31.0 87.8 -3.0 841 4.3
15000 4.2 39.6 290 9 5 9.5 5.2 31.0 87.8 -3.0 784 4.0
14500 5.6 42.1 290 9 5 9.0 4.9 30.9 87.6 -3.1 728 3.7
14000 6.9 44.4 295 9 5 9.0 4.9 30.8 87.4 -3.2 673 3.4
13500 8.3 46.9 295 9 5 9.4 5.2 30.7 87.2 -3.4 617 3.1
13000 9.7 49.5 295 9 5 9.5 5.2 30.6 87.1 -3.4 560 2.8
12500 11.1 52.0 295 9 5 8.5 4.7 30.5 87.0 -3.5 504 2.6
12000 12.3 54.1 285 7 4 8.2 4.5 30.3 86.6 -3.8 453 2.3
11500 13.5 56.3 270 6 3 7.9 4.3 30.1 86.2 -4.1 402 2.0
11000 14.4 57.9 240 5 3 5.5 3.0 29.5 85.2 -4.7 360 1.8
10500 15.1 59.2 210 6 3 5.1 2.8 28.9 84.0 -5.4 323 1.6
10250 15.5 59.9 195 6 3 4.1 2.2 28.5 83.3 -5.8 306 1.6
10000 15.7 60.3 185 7 4 3.4 1.9 28.0 82.4 -6.3 291 1.5
9750 15.9 60.6 180 8 4 3.2 1.8 27.5 81.5 -6.8 277 1.4
9500 16.1 61.0 175 9 4 2.5 1.4 27.0 80.6 -7.4 264 1.3
9250 16.2 61.2 170 9 5 1.7 1.0 26.4 79.5 -8.1 254 1.3
9000 16.3 61.3 160 9 5 2.9 1.6 25.8 78.4 -8.7 244 1.2
8750 16.5 61.7 160 9 5 4.0 2.2 25.3 77.6 -9.2 230 1.2
8500 16.8 62.2 150 9 5 3.9 2.2 24.9 76.8 -9.8 215 1.1
8250 17.0 62.6 145 9 5 4.2 2.3 24.4 76.0 -10.3 200 1.0
8000 17.3 63.1 135 10 5 4.0 2.2 24.0 75.2 -10.7 185 0.9
7750 17.5 63.5 125 10 5 2.7 1.5 23.5 74.4 -11.3 171 0.9
7500 17.6 63.7 120 10 5 1.3 0.7 22.9 73.3 -11.9 161 0.8
7250 17.6 63.7 115 10 5 1.3 0.7 22.3 72.1 -12.7 152 0.8
7000 17.7 63.9 110 9 5 1.1 0.6 21.6 71.0 -13.4 143 0.7
6750 17.7 63.9 100 10 5 -0.3 -0.2 21.0 69.7 -14.1 136 0.7
6500 17.6 63.7 100 7 3 -2.0 -1.1 20.1 68.2 -15.0 131 0.7
6250 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
08/26/2026 at 0900 MDT | 08/26/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... +425.0 LI... -2.2 | CAPE... +890.5 LI... -3.9
CINH... -231.9 K Index... +29.2 | CINH... -17.6 K Index... +28.8
|
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 -65.0 -85.0 315 25 13 3.0 1.6 | -65.3 -85.5 310 20 10 3.5 1.9
45000 -59.6 -75.3 300 31 16 4.8 2.7 | -59.2 -74.6 300 31 16 5.2 2.8
40000 -51.3 -60.3 275 26 13 7.0 3.8 | -50.7 -59.3 290 30 15 6.5 3.6
38000 -47.1 -52.8 275 28 14 7.0 3.8 | -46.8 -52.2 285 30 16 6.5 3.6
36000 -42.9 -45.2 275 29 15 7.5 4.1 | -42.9 -45.2 280 31 16 7.1 3.9
34000 -38.3 -36.9 280 28 14 7.7 4.2 | -38.5 -37.3 285 28 14 7.3 4.0
32000 -33.7 -28.7 285 26 13 7.7 4.2 | -34.2 -29.6 290 25 13 7.4 4.0
30000 -28.7 -19.7 280 23 12 7.6 4.2 | -29.1 -20.4 290 25 13 7.6 4.2
29000 -26.4 -15.5 275 22 11 7.6 4.2 | -26.8 -16.2 285 25 13 7.6 4.2
28000 -24.3 -11.7 275 20 10 7.0 3.8 | -24.6 -12.3 285 23 12 7.4 4.1
27000 -22.2 -8.0 275 19 10 6.9 3.8 | -22.4 -8.3 280 21 11 7.4 4.1
26000 -20.1 -4.2 280 18 9 6.9 3.8 | -20.2 -4.4 275 18 9 7.4 4.1
25000 -18.0 -0.4 280 17 9 6.8 3.7 | -18.1 -0.6 275 16 8 6.5 3.6
24000 -16.1 3.0 285 16 8 6.8 3.8 | -16.1 3.0 275 14 7 6.5 3.6
23000 -14.1 6.6 290 14 7 6.9 3.8 | -14.2 6.4 280 12 6 6.6 3.6
22000 -12.1 10.2 295 13 7 7.0 3.8 | -12.3 9.9 285 10 5 6.7 3.7
21000 -10.1 13.8 305 12 6 7.1 3.9 | -10.4 13.3 290 10 5 6.8 3.7
20000 -8.0 17.6 310 12 6 7.1 3.9 | -8.5 16.7 300 10 5 6.9 3.8
19500 -7.0 19.4 315 12 6 7.3 4.0 | -7.5 18.5 300 10 5 7.5 4.1
19000 -6.0 21.2 315 12 6 7.5 4.1 | -6.4 20.5 305 10 5 8.0 4.4
18500 -4.9 23.2 320 12 6 7.6 4.1 | -5.2 22.6 305 11 6 8.0 4.4
18000 -3.8 25.2 320 12 6 7.3 4.0 | -4.0 24.8 305 11 6 8.4 4.6
17500 -2.8 27.0 315 11 6 7.4 4.1 | -2.8 27.0 310 11 6 8.4 4.6
17000 -1.7 28.9 315 10 5 7.9 4.4 | -0.9 30.4 310 11 6 9.4 5.1
16500 0.2 32.4 310 9 5 8.6 4.7 | 0.5 32.9 310 11 6 9.3 5.1
16000 1.4 34.5 305 9 4 8.9 4.9 | 1.8 35.2 310 11 6 9.1 5.0
15500 2.8 37.0 305 9 4 9.1 5.0 | 3.2 37.8 310 10 5 9.0 4.9
15000 4.1 39.4 300 9 4 9.1 5.0 | 4.5 40.1 305 9 5 9.0 4.9
14500 5.5 41.9 300 9 5 9.2 5.1 | 5.8 42.4 300 8 4 9.1 5.0
14000 6.9 44.4 300 9 5 9.2 5.1 | 7.2 45.0 295 7 4 9.1 5.0
13500 8.3 46.9 300 9 5 9.4 5.2 | 8.5 47.3 285 7 3 9.2 5.1
13000 9.6 49.3 295 9 5 9.4 5.2 | 9.9 49.8 270 7 3 9.2 5.1
12500 11.0 51.8 295 9 5 9.1 5.0 | 11.2 52.2 260 7 4 9.1 5.0
12000 12.4 54.3 290 9 5 8.9 4.9 | 12.6 54.7 255 8 4 8.9 4.9
11500 13.8 56.8 275 8 4 9.7 5.3 | 14.0 57.2 250 9 5 9.6 5.3
11000 15.0 59.0 260 9 4 7.2 3.9 | 15.2 59.4 250 10 5 8.0 4.4
10500 16.1 61.0 245 10 5 8.5 4.7 | 16.3 61.3 250 10 5 7.6 4.2
10250 16.7 62.1 240 11 5 7.3 4.0 | 16.8 62.2 250 10 5 6.5 3.6
10000 17.1 62.8 235 11 6 5.4 3.0 | 17.1 62.8 245 10 5 5.3 2.9
9750 17.5 63.5 235 11 6 4.8 2.6 | 17.5 63.5 245 9 5 6.2 3.4
9500 17.7 63.9 230 11 6 2.9 1.6 | 18.0 64.4 245 9 5 7.6 4.2
9250 17.9 64.2 225 10 5 2.1 1.2 | 18.5 65.3 245 8 4 8.1 4.5
9000 18.0 64.4 220 10 5 1.9 1.1 | 19.1 66.4 245 8 4 8.2 4.5
8750 18.0 64.4 210 9 4 -0.0 -0.0 | 19.7 67.5 240 8 4 8.7 4.8
8500 17.8 64.0 200 7 4 -2.6 -1.4 | 20.4 68.7 240 7 4 9.3 5.1
8250 17.5 63.5 190 6 3 -2.9 -1.6 | 21.1 70.0 240 7 4 9.3 5.1
8000 17.2 63.0 175 5 3 -4.2 -2.3 | 21.8 71.2 240 7 3 10.0 5.5
7750 16.8 62.2 155 5 3 1.2 0.7 | 22.6 72.7 235 6 3 10.8 5.9
7500 17.2 63.0 145 5 3 8.5 4.6 | 23.4 74.1 235 6 3 10.5 5.8
7250 17.8 64.0 145 5 3 8.2 4.5 | 24.1 75.4 230 6 3 10.6 5.8
7000 18.4 65.1 140 5 3 8.0 4.4 | 24.9 76.8 230 6 3 10.1 5.6
6750 19.1 66.4 135 5 3 11.5 6.3 | 25.7 78.3 225 5 3 14.2 7.8
6500 20.2 68.4 135 5 2 18.3 10.0 | 27.1 80.8 225 5 2 22.3 12.3
6250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
08/26/2026 at 1500 MDT | 08/26/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +366.3 LI... -1.6 | CAPE... +136.1 LI... -0.9
CINH... -2.6 K Index... +32.0 | CINH... -105.6 K Index... +26.9
|
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 -65.6 -86.1 305 21 11 4.1 2.2 | -66.7 -88.1 315 22 11 3.9 2.2
45000 -58.6 -73.5 305 30 15 5.4 3.0 | -59.7 -75.5 315 27 14 5.7 3.2
40000 -49.8 -57.6 295 30 15 6.3 3.4 | -50.8 -59.4 305 24 13 7.0 3.8
38000 -46.0 -50.8 290 32 16 6.3 3.4 | -46.1 -51.0 290 26 13 7.0 3.8
36000 -42.2 -44.0 285 34 17 7.2 4.0 | -41.8 -43.2 285 27 14 8.3 4.5
34000 -37.8 -36.0 285 29 15 7.3 4.0 | -36.9 -34.4 290 22 11 8.2 4.5
32000 -33.4 -28.1 290 24 13 7.2 3.9 | -32.0 -25.6 300 18 9 7.4 4.1
30000 -29.2 -20.6 295 23 12 7.1 3.9 | -27.9 -18.2 305 14 7 6.9 3.8
29000 -27.1 -16.8 300 23 12 7.1 3.9 | -25.8 -14.4 305 12 6 6.9 3.8
28000 -25.0 -13.0 300 22 11 7.2 4.0 | -23.8 -10.8 310 11 6 6.8 3.8
27000 -22.8 -9.0 305 21 11 7.3 4.0 | -21.7 -7.1 315 13 7 6.8 3.8
26000 -20.7 -5.3 305 19 10 7.3 4.0 | -19.7 -3.5 320 15 8 6.8 3.8
25000 -18.5 -1.3 305 18 9 7.3 4.0 | -17.6 0.3 325 17 9 7.2 4.0
24000 -16.4 2.5 305 16 8 7.3 4.0 | -15.4 4.3 320 16 8 7.4 4.0
23000 -14.2 6.4 300 14 7 7.4 4.0 | -13.2 8.2 310 16 8 7.4 4.1
22000 -11.5 11.3 295 12 6 7.5 4.1 | -11.1 12.0 305 15 8 6.8 3.7
21000 -9.4 15.1 280 11 6 7.6 4.2 | -8.6 16.5 295 15 8 6.7 3.7
20000 -7.2 19.0 270 11 6 7.7 4.2 | -6.6 20.1 280 15 8 6.7 3.7
19500 -6.1 21.0 265 11 6 7.8 4.3 | -5.6 21.9 280 16 8 7.6 4.2
19000 -5.0 23.0 260 12 6 7.8 4.3 | -4.5 23.9 275 15 8 7.8 4.3
18500 -3.9 25.0 260 12 6 7.7 4.3 | -3.4 25.9 270 15 8 7.9 4.3
18000 -2.8 27.0 255 12 6 7.4 4.1 | -2.2 28.0 270 15 8 8.2 4.5
17500 -1.7 28.9 255 12 6 7.4 4.0 | -1.1 30.0 265 15 8 8.2 4.5
17000 -0.6 30.9 255 12 6 8.3 4.5 | 0.1 32.2 265 15 8 8.6 4.7
16500 0.7 33.3 255 12 6 8.4 4.6 | 1.3 34.3 265 15 8 8.7 4.8
16000 1.9 35.4 255 12 6 9.0 4.9 | 2.6 36.7 265 15 8 8.8 4.8
15500 3.4 38.1 260 12 6 9.7 5.3 | 3.9 39.0 265 15 8 9.0 4.9
15000 4.8 40.6 260 11 6 9.7 5.3 | 5.2 41.4 270 15 8 9.0 4.9
14500 6.3 43.3 260 11 6 9.9 5.4 | 6.5 43.7 270 15 8 8.9 4.9
14000 7.8 46.0 260 11 6 9.9 5.4 | 7.9 46.2 275 16 8 8.9 4.9
13500 9.2 48.6 260 11 6 9.5 5.2 | 9.2 48.6 280 16 8 8.8 4.9
13000 10.7 51.3 260 11 5 9.6 5.2 | 10.5 50.9 285 17 9 8.9 4.9
12500 12.1 53.8 265 10 5 9.7 5.3 | 11.8 53.2 290 17 9 8.7 4.8
12000 13.6 56.5 265 10 5 9.9 5.5 | 13.1 55.6 295 17 9 8.6 4.7
11500 15.0 59.0 265 10 5 9.3 5.1 | 14.4 57.9 300 17 9 8.2 4.5
11000 16.5 61.7 265 10 5 9.9 5.5 | 15.6 60.1 305 17 9 8.1 4.5
10500 18.0 64.4 265 10 5 9.5 5.2 | 16.8 62.2 315 16 8 7.4 4.1
10250 18.7 65.7 265 10 5 9.6 5.3 | 17.3 63.1 315 16 8 7.3 4.0
10000 19.4 66.9 270 10 5 10.1 5.5 | 17.8 64.0 320 15 8 8.0 4.4
9750 20.2 68.4 270 10 5 10.0 5.5 | 18.4 65.1 325 15 8 7.8 4.3
9500 20.9 69.6 270 10 5 10.2 5.6 | 18.9 66.0 335 14 7 7.8 4.3
9250 21.7 71.1 270 10 5 10.2 5.6 | 19.5 67.1 340 14 7 7.7 4.2
9000 22.4 72.3 270 10 5 9.6 5.3 | 20.1 68.2 345 14 7 7.6 4.2
8750 23.1 73.6 270 10 5 9.3 5.1 | 20.6 69.1 350 13 7 7.5 4.1
8500 23.8 74.8 270 10 5 9.9 5.4 | 21.2 70.2 355 13 7 7.0 3.9
8250 24.6 76.3 270 10 5 10.4 5.7 | 21.7 71.1 360 13 7 6.8 3.7
8000 25.4 77.7 270 10 5 9.8 5.4 | 22.1 71.8 010 13 6 6.3 3.5
7750 26.1 79.0 270 10 5 9.5 5.2 | 22.6 72.7 020 13 7 5.5 3.0
7500 26.8 80.2 270 9 5 10.4 5.7 | 23.0 73.4 025 13 7 6.2 3.4
7250 27.6 81.7 270 9 5 11.0 6.1 | 23.5 74.3 035 13 7 6.9 3.8
7000 28.4 83.1 270 9 5 10.0 5.5 | 23.9 75.0 040 13 7 6.1 3.4
6750 29.2 84.6 270 9 5 11.3 6.2 | 24.4 75.9 045 14 7 7.8 4.3
6500 30.2 86.4 275 8 4 17.1 9.4 | 25.1 77.2 050 13 7 12.9 7.1
6250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
________________________________________________________________________________
This product is issued once per day, at approximately 730 AM local
time. It is not continuously monitored nor updated after its initial
issuance.
The information contained herein is based on numerical weather prediction
model data for the Moriarty Municipal Airport site in Moriarty, New Mexico at
North Latitude: 34.9781667 deg
West Longitude: 106.0000278 deg
Elevation: 6204.2 feet (1891.0 meters)
and may not be representative of other areas along and east of the Sandia
and Manzano 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 are welcome and should be directed
to one of the addresses or phone numbers shown at the bottom of this page.
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
Soaring Forecast for Albuquerque NM
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
0723 MDT Wednesday August 26 2026
This forecast is for Wednesday, August 26, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 84.7 F/29.3 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 1617 ft/min (8.2 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 20601 ft MSL (14932 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 96.0 F/36.0 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1045 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................. 17032 ft MSL (11363 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Thursday 08/27..... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:35:04 / 19:41:24 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 13 hr 6 min 20 sec (786 min 20 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:08:14 MDT... 65.09 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 08/26/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 16381 ft MSL (10712 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 15327 ft MSL (9658 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 16902 ft MSL (11233 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... -5.7
K index......................... +29.1
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 -64.6 -84.3 305 23 12 2.4 1.3 80.7 177.3 26.6 M M
45000 -59.7 -75.5 290 26 13 4.8 2.6 65.5 149.9 18.9 M M
40000 -51.3 -60.3 265 24 12 7.6 4.1 55.3 131.5 13.3 M M
38000 -46.7 -52.1 265 26 14 7.6 4.2 53.3 127.9 12.3 M M
36000 -42.2 -44.0 265 29 15 7.8 4.3 51.8 125.2 11.5 M M
34000 -37.5 -35.5 270 29 15 7.8 4.3 49.9 121.8 10.4 M M
32000 -32.9 -27.2 275 29 15 7.6 4.2 48.6 119.4 9.7 M M
30000 -28.4 -19.1 270 24 12 7.5 4.1 46.5 115.8 8.3 M M
29000 -26.2 -15.2 270 22 11 7.5 4.1 45.7 114.3 7.8 M M
28000 -24.1 -11.4 270 21 11 6.7 3.7 44.8 112.7 7.2 M M
27000 -22.1 -7.8 270 21 11 6.8 3.7 43.6 110.5 6.3 M M
26000 -20.0 -4.0 275 21 11 6.8 3.7 42.5 108.5 5.5 M M
25000 -18.0 -0.4 275 22 11 6.5 3.6 41.5 106.7 4.7 M M
24000 -15.7 3.7 280 19 10 6.4 3.5 39.9 103.7 3.3 M M
23000 -13.8 7.2 280 17 9 6.5 3.5 38.7 101.6 2.3 M M
22000 -11.9 10.6 280 15 8 6.8 3.7 37.6 99.6 1.3 M M
21000 -10.0 14.0 280 13 7 6.8 3.7 36.5 97.6 0.3 M M
20000 -8.0 17.6 280 11 6 6.9 3.8 35.5 95.9 -0.6 1358 6.9
19500 -7.0 19.4 280 11 5 7.3 4.0 35.1 95.1 -1.1 1314 6.7
19000 -6.0 21.2 280 10 5 7.5 4.1 34.6 94.4 -1.5 1267 6.4
18500 -4.9 23.2 280 10 5 7.5 4.1 34.3 93.7 -1.8 1220 6.2
18000 -3.8 25.2 280 9 5 7.3 4.0 33.9 92.9 -2.3 1173 6.0
17500 -2.8 27.0 280 9 4 7.3 4.0 33.4 92.2 -2.7 1126 5.7
17000 -1.7 28.9 280 8 4 8.6 4.7 33.1 91.6 -3.0 1078 5.5
16500 -0.3 31.5 280 8 4 9.1 5.0 33.0 91.4 -3.2 1023 5.2
16000 1.0 33.8 280 7 4 9.2 5.0 32.9 91.2 -3.3 968 4.9
15500 2.4 36.3 280 7 3 9.4 5.1 32.8 91.0 -3.4 912 4.6
15000 3.8 38.8 275 6 3 9.4 5.2 32.7 90.9 -3.5 856 4.3
14500 5.2 41.4 275 6 3 9.0 4.9 32.7 90.8 -3.6 800 4.1
14000 6.5 43.7 270 5 3 9.0 5.0 32.5 90.6 -3.7 745 3.8
13500 7.9 46.2 265 5 2 9.3 5.1 32.5 90.4 -3.8 689 3.5
13000 9.3 48.7 265 4 2 9.3 5.1 32.4 90.3 -3.9 633 3.2
12500 10.6 51.1 260 4 2 8.9 4.9 32.3 90.2 -4.0 577 2.9
12000 11.9 53.4 255 3 2 8.7 4.7 32.1 89.8 -4.2 524 2.7
11500 13.2 55.8 255 3 1 8.1 4.4 32.0 89.5 -4.4 470 2.4
11000 14.3 57.7 255 2 1 7.4 4.0 31.6 88.9 -4.8 422 2.1
10500 15.5 59.9 240 2 1 8.3 4.6 31.4 88.5 -5.0 371 1.9
10250 16.0 60.8 225 2 1 6.6 3.6 31.2 88.1 -5.3 349 1.8
10000 16.5 61.7 215 2 1 6.5 3.5 30.9 87.7 -5.6 327 1.7
9750 17.0 62.6 205 2 1 7.1 3.9 30.7 87.2 -5.8 306 1.6
9500 17.4 63.3 190 2 1 4.9 2.7 30.4 86.8 -6.1 285 1.4
9250 17.7 63.9 195 1 1 4.1 2.2 30.0 85.9 -6.6 270 1.4
9000 18.0 64.4 165 2 1 5.7 3.1 29.6 85.3 -7.0 252 1.3
8750 18.4 65.1 150 3 1 5.4 2.9 29.3 84.7 -7.4 234 1.2
8500 18.7 65.7 140 4 2 5.0 2.7 28.9 84.1 -7.8 216 1.1
8250 19.1 66.4 130 5 2 2.3 1.3 28.0 82.3 -8.9 188 1.0
8000 19.3 66.7 120 6 3 2.4 1.3 27.4 81.3 -9.5 178 0.9
7750 19.4 66.9 115 6 3 2.9 1.6 26.9 80.3 -10.1 166 0.8
7500 19.6 67.3 115 7 4 3.0 1.6 26.3 79.4 -10.7 153 0.8
7250 19.7 67.5 110 7 4 1.5 0.8 25.8 78.4 -11.3 141 0.7
7000 19.8 67.6 105 7 4 1.8 1.0 25.1 77.2 -12.0 133 0.7
6750 19.9 67.8 100 7 4 3.6 2.0 24.6 76.3 -12.6 120 0.6
6500 20.2 68.4 100 7 4 3.8 2.1 24.2 75.5 -13.1 105 0.5
6250 20.5 68.9 100 8 4 4.1 2.2 23.7 74.7 -13.6 90 0.5
6000 20.7 69.3 095 7 4 2.2 1.2 23.3 73.9 -14.1 76 0.4
5750 20.4 68.7 095 5 3 -12.4 -6.8 22.3 72.1 -15.1 76 0.4
5500 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
08/26/2026 at 0900 MDT | 08/26/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... +430.1 LI... -2.5 | CAPE... +731.7 LI... -3.4
CINH... -186.7 K Index... +28.5 | CINH... -34.1 K Index... +27.7
|
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 -64.7 -84.5 315 25 13 2.7 1.5 | -65.0 -85.0 300 19 10 3.1 1.7
45000 -59.2 -74.6 305 30 16 5.3 2.9 | -59.0 -74.2 295 31 16 5.6 3.1
40000 -50.5 -58.9 285 27 14 6.6 3.6 | -50.1 -58.2 290 30 15 5.9 3.2
38000 -46.5 -51.7 280 27 14 6.6 3.6 | -46.5 -51.7 280 30 16 5.9 3.2
36000 -42.5 -44.5 270 28 14 7.4 4.0 | -42.9 -45.2 275 31 16 7.2 4.0
34000 -38.0 -36.4 275 27 14 7.5 4.1 | -38.5 -37.3 280 27 14 7.4 4.1
32000 -33.5 -28.3 280 26 13 7.5 4.1 | -34.0 -29.2 285 24 12 7.6 4.2
30000 -29.0 -20.2 275 23 12 7.6 4.1 | -29.3 -20.7 280 25 13 7.9 4.3
29000 -26.8 -16.2 270 22 11 7.6 4.2 | -27.0 -16.6 280 25 13 7.9 4.3
28000 -24.6 -12.3 270 21 11 6.9 3.8 | -24.7 -12.5 280 25 13 7.0 3.9
27000 -22.5 -8.5 270 19 10 7.0 3.8 | -22.6 -8.7 275 22 11 7.1 3.9
26000 -20.4 -4.7 275 18 9 7.0 3.8 | -20.5 -4.9 275 19 10 7.1 3.9
25000 -17.9 -0.2 280 17 9 6.4 3.5 | -17.9 -0.2 270 16 8 6.4 3.5
24000 -16.0 3.2 285 16 8 6.4 3.5 | -16.0 3.2 270 13 7 6.5 3.6
23000 -14.1 6.6 295 15 8 6.5 3.5 | -14.1 6.6 275 11 6 6.5 3.6
22000 -12.1 10.2 300 14 7 7.1 3.9 | -12.1 10.2 285 10 5 6.8 3.7
21000 -10.1 13.8 300 13 7 7.1 3.9 | -10.2 13.6 295 10 5 6.9 3.8
20000 -8.1 17.4 300 12 6 7.2 3.9 | -8.2 17.2 300 10 5 6.9 3.8
19500 -7.0 19.4 300 12 6 7.7 4.2 | -7.2 19.0 305 10 5 7.8 4.3
19000 -5.9 21.4 300 12 6 7.8 4.3 | -6.0 21.2 305 11 6 8.0 4.4
18500 -4.8 23.4 295 12 6 7.8 4.3 | -4.9 23.2 310 11 6 8.1 4.5
18000 -3.7 25.3 295 11 6 8.1 4.4 | -3.7 25.3 310 12 6 8.7 4.8
17500 -2.5 27.5 290 12 6 8.0 4.4 | -2.4 27.7 310 12 6 8.7 4.7
17000 -1.3 29.7 290 11 6 8.7 4.8 | -1.1 30.0 310 12 6 9.0 4.9
16500 0.0 32.0 290 11 5 8.9 4.9 | 0.2 32.4 305 11 6 9.1 5.0
16000 1.3 34.3 290 10 5 8.9 4.9 | 1.5 34.7 305 11 6 9.2 5.0
15500 2.6 36.7 290 9 4 8.9 4.9 | 2.9 37.2 305 10 5 9.4 5.1
15000 4.0 39.2 290 7 4 8.9 4.9 | 4.3 39.7 305 9 5 9.4 5.1
14500 5.3 41.5 285 6 3 9.2 5.1 | 5.7 42.3 300 8 4 9.2 5.1
14000 6.7 44.1 280 5 2 9.2 5.0 | 7.0 44.6 295 7 4 9.2 5.1
13500 8.0 46.4 265 4 2 9.2 5.1 | 8.4 47.1 285 6 3 9.2 5.1
13000 9.4 48.9 240 4 2 9.2 5.1 | 9.8 49.6 275 6 3 9.2 5.1
12500 10.7 51.3 225 5 2 8.9 4.9 | 11.1 52.0 260 6 3 8.9 4.9
12000 12.1 53.8 215 6 3 8.8 4.8 | 12.4 54.3 250 7 3 8.8 4.8
11500 13.4 56.1 205 7 3 8.0 4.4 | 13.7 56.7 240 8 4 8.3 4.6
11000 14.5 58.1 200 7 3 7.3 4.0 | 14.9 58.8 235 8 4 7.9 4.3
10500 15.7 60.3 195 7 4 8.4 4.6 | 16.2 61.2 235 9 5 7.9 4.3
10250 16.2 61.2 195 7 4 6.8 3.7 | 16.7 62.1 230 9 5 6.5 3.6
10000 16.7 62.1 195 7 3 7.1 3.9 | 17.1 62.8 230 8 4 7.0 3.8
9750 17.3 63.1 195 7 3 7.5 4.1 | 17.6 63.7 230 8 4 6.7 3.7
9500 17.8 64.0 195 6 3 4.6 2.5 | 18.0 64.4 225 8 4 4.5 2.4
9250 17.9 64.2 190 6 3 3.3 1.8 | 18.2 64.8 220 6 3 6.0 3.3
9000 18.2 64.8 190 5 3 5.0 2.7 | 18.8 65.8 220 6 3 8.5 4.7
8750 18.6 65.5 185 5 3 4.7 2.6 | 19.9 67.8 220 4 2 7.1 3.9
8500 18.7 65.7 180 3 2 0.2 0.1 | 20.4 68.7 225 4 2 8.5 4.7
8250 18.8 65.8 175 2 1 1.5 0.8 | 21.2 70.2 225 4 2 10.6 5.8
8000 18.8 65.8 155 2 1 2.0 1.1 | 21.9 71.4 230 3 2 9.9 5.4
7750 19.0 66.2 130 1 1 4.1 2.3 | 22.6 72.7 235 3 2 9.1 5.0
7500 19.3 66.7 080 1 0 5.5 3.0 | 23.3 73.9 235 3 2 9.2 5.1
7250 19.7 67.5 040 1 1 6.5 3.6 | 24.0 75.2 240 3 2 10.7 5.8
7000 20.2 68.4 045 2 1 8.1 4.5 | 24.8 76.6 245 3 2 10.8 5.9
6750 20.9 69.6 040 2 1 9.1 5.0 | 25.6 78.1 245 3 2 10.4 5.7
6500 21.5 70.7 035 2 1 8.9 4.9 | 26.4 79.5 250 3 2 10.2 5.6
6250 22.2 72.0 035 2 1 9.9 5.4 | 27.1 80.8 250 3 2 10.8 5.9
6000 23.1 73.6 030 2 1 13.9 7.6 | 28.1 82.6 255 3 2 17.4 9.5
5750 24.3 75.7 030 2 1 20.1 11.0 | 30.1 86.2 260 3 2 41.2 22.6
5500 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
08/26/2026 at 1500 MDT | 08/26/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +541.2 LI... -2.4 | CAPE... +46.7 LI... +0.1
CINH... -10.0 K Index... +30.6 | CINH... -112.1 K Index... +22.5
|
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 -65.5 -85.9 295 19 10 3.7 2.0 | -66.4 -87.5 310 20 10 3.4 1.9
45000 -58.7 -73.7 300 29 15 5.9 3.2 | -59.6 -75.3 305 25 13 6.4 3.5
40000 -49.4 -56.9 295 30 15 5.9 3.2 | -49.5 -57.1 285 26 13 6.4 3.5
38000 -45.9 -50.6 285 31 16 5.9 3.2 | -45.7 -50.3 265 24 12 6.4 3.5
36000 -42.3 -44.1 280 32 17 7.2 3.9 | -41.8 -43.2 245 25 13 8.1 4.4
34000 -37.9 -36.2 280 29 15 7.4 4.1 | -37.0 -34.6 260 23 12 8.0 4.4
32000 -33.4 -28.1 280 25 13 7.3 4.0 | -32.2 -26.0 270 22 11 7.5 4.1
30000 -29.2 -20.6 285 22 11 7.1 3.9 | -28.0 -18.4 280 21 11 7.1 3.9
29000 -27.1 -16.8 285 20 10 7.1 3.9 | -25.9 -14.6 290 20 11 7.1 3.9
28000 -25.0 -13.0 285 18 9 6.7 3.7 | -23.8 -10.8 295 20 10 7.0 3.9
27000 -23.0 -9.4 285 16 8 6.7 3.7 | -21.7 -7.1 300 19 10 7.1 3.9
26000 -20.5 -4.9 280 14 7 6.7 3.7 | -19.6 -3.3 305 18 9 7.1 3.9
25000 -18.4 -1.1 280 12 6 7.3 4.0 | -17.5 0.5 305 17 9 6.9 3.8
24000 -16.3 2.7 275 11 6 7.2 4.0 | -15.0 5.0 310 17 9 6.8 3.7
23000 -14.1 6.6 270 10 5 7.2 4.0 | -13.0 8.6 310 17 9 6.8 3.8
22000 -12.0 10.4 265 9 5 7.0 3.9 | -10.9 12.4 310 16 8 6.8 3.7
21000 -10.0 14.0 265 8 4 7.1 3.9 | -8.9 16.0 310 16 8 6.8 3.7
20000 -7.9 17.8 270 7 4 7.2 4.0 | -6.9 19.6 305 16 8 6.8 3.7
19500 -6.9 19.6 270 7 4 7.8 4.3 | -5.9 21.4 305 16 8 7.6 4.2
19000 -5.8 21.6 270 7 4 8.0 4.4 | -4.7 23.5 305 16 8 7.9 4.3
18500 -4.6 23.7 275 7 4 8.1 4.4 | -3.6 25.5 305 16 8 7.9 4.3
18000 -3.5 25.7 275 7 4 8.6 4.7 | -2.4 27.7 305 16 8 8.5 4.7
17500 -2.2 28.0 275 7 4 8.6 4.7 | -1.1 30.0 305 16 8 8.5 4.7
17000 -1.0 30.2 280 7 4 8.8 4.8 | 0.1 32.2 310 16 8 8.1 4.4
16500 0.3 32.5 280 7 4 8.8 4.9 | 1.3 34.3 310 16 8 8.0 4.4
16000 1.6 34.9 280 7 4 9.0 5.0 | 2.5 36.5 310 15 8 8.0 4.4
15500 3.0 37.4 280 7 4 9.5 5.2 | 3.7 38.7 310 15 7 8.2 4.5
15000 4.4 39.9 280 7 4 9.5 5.2 | 4.9 40.8 310 14 7 8.2 4.5
14500 5.8 42.4 285 7 4 9.5 5.2 | 6.1 43.0 310 14 7 8.8 4.8
14000 7.2 45.0 285 7 4 9.5 5.2 | 7.4 45.3 305 13 7 8.7 4.8
13500 8.6 47.5 285 7 4 9.4 5.2 | 8.7 47.7 305 13 7 9.0 4.9
13000 10.0 50.0 285 7 4 9.4 5.1 | 10.0 50.0 305 13 7 9.1 5.0
12500 11.4 52.5 285 7 4 9.5 5.2 | 11.4 52.5 300 13 7 9.0 4.9
12000 12.8 55.0 285 7 4 9.6 5.3 | 12.7 54.9 300 13 7 8.9 4.9
11500 14.3 57.7 285 8 4 9.6 5.3 | 14.0 57.2 295 13 6 9.0 4.9
11000 15.7 60.3 285 8 4 9.6 5.3 | 15.3 59.5 295 12 6 9.0 4.9
10500 17.1 62.8 285 8 4 9.5 5.2 | 16.7 62.1 295 12 6 9.0 4.9
10250 17.8 64.0 285 8 4 9.8 5.4 | 17.3 63.1 295 12 6 8.6 4.7
10000 18.5 65.3 285 8 4 9.7 5.3 | 18.0 64.4 290 12 6 8.6 4.7
9750 19.3 66.7 285 8 4 9.9 5.4 | 18.6 65.5 290 12 6 8.8 4.8
9500 20.7 69.3 285 9 4 9.4 5.1 | 19.3 66.7 290 12 6 8.1 4.5
9250 21.4 70.5 285 9 5 9.8 5.4 | 19.8 67.6 285 12 6 8.1 4.5
9000 22.1 71.8 285 9 5 9.9 5.5 | 20.5 68.9 285 12 6 8.7 4.8
8750 22.8 73.0 285 9 5 8.8 4.8 | 21.1 70.0 285 12 6 9.0 4.9
8500 23.4 74.1 285 10 5 8.9 4.9 | 21.7 71.1 280 12 6 7.3 4.0
8250 24.2 75.6 285 10 5 10.2 5.6 | 22.9 73.2 275 11 6 9.0 5.0
8000 24.9 76.8 285 10 5 9.9 5.4 | 23.5 74.3 270 12 6 8.8 4.8
7750 25.6 78.1 285 11 5 9.1 5.0 | 24.1 75.4 270 12 6 7.2 4.0
7500 26.3 79.3 290 11 6 8.9 4.9 | 24.6 76.3 265 12 6 6.3 3.5
7250 27.0 80.6 290 11 6 10.0 5.5 | 25.1 77.2 260 12 6 7.9 4.4
7000 27.7 81.9 290 11 6 10.2 5.6 | 25.7 78.3 255 13 6 7.6 4.2
6750 28.5 83.3 290 12 6 10.0 5.5 | 26.1 79.0 250 13 7 5.2 2.8
6500 29.2 84.6 290 12 6 10.4 5.7 | 26.4 79.5 250 14 7 4.1 2.2
6250 30.0 86.0 290 12 6 8.8 4.8 | 26.7 80.1 245 15 8 6.3 3.5
6000 30.7 87.3 290 12 6 14.3 7.9 | 27.3 81.1 245 14 7 10.3 5.6
5750 33.2 91.8 290 12 6 68.1 37.3 | 28.1 82.6 245 13 6 11.7 6.4
5500 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
________________________________________________________________________________
This product is issued once per day, at approximately 730 AM.
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 the Albuquerque International
Sunport site in Albuquerque, New Mexico at
North Latitude: 35.03806 deg
West Longitude: 106.62194 deg
Elevation: 5298.6 feet (1615 meters)
and may not be representative of other areas, especially along and east of
the Sandia and Manzano 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 are welcome and should be directed
to one of the addresses or phone numbers shown at the bottom of this page.
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
Soaring Forecast for Santa Fe NM
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
0727 MDT Wednesday August 26 2026
This forecast is for Wednesday, August 26, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 78.9 F/26.0 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 1405 ft/min (7.1 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 19384 ft MSL (12936 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 90.0 F/32.7 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1030 MDT
Time of overdevelopment........................ 1800 MDT
Middle/high clouds during soaring window....... None
Surface winds during soaring window............ 20 mph or less
Height of the -3 thermal index................. 13105 ft MSL (6657 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Thursday 08/27..... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:32:18 / 19:39:57 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 13 hr 7 min 39 sec (787 min 39 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:06:08 MDT... 64.55 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 08/26/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 16405 ft MSL (9957 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 15958 ft MSL (9510 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 17055 ft MSL (10607 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... -4.7
K index......................... +29.4
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 -64.7 -84.5 295 23 12 2.2 1.2 77.9 172.2 27.2 M M
45000 -60.0 -76.0 280 30 16 4.8 2.7 62.6 144.6 19.3 M M
40000 -51.4 -60.5 260 27 14 8.0 4.4 52.6 126.8 13.9 M M
38000 -46.6 -51.9 265 28 14 8.0 4.4 51.0 123.8 13.1 M M
36000 -41.9 -43.4 270 29 15 7.3 4.0 49.8 121.7 12.6 M M
34000 -37.6 -35.7 275 28 15 7.2 3.9 47.4 117.3 11.2 M M
32000 -33.4 -28.1 275 28 14 7.3 4.0 45.6 114.1 10.0 M M
30000 -28.9 -20.0 275 25 13 7.4 4.1 43.6 110.5 8.7 M M
29000 -26.7 -16.1 275 23 12 7.5 4.1 42.8 109.0 8.1 M M
28000 -24.6 -12.3 280 22 11 6.5 3.6 41.9 107.4 7.5 M M
27000 -22.6 -8.7 280 21 11 6.6 3.6 40.6 105.1 6.6 M M
26000 -20.6 -5.1 285 21 11 6.7 3.7 39.5 103.1 5.7 M M
25000 -18.2 -0.8 290 21 11 6.6 3.6 38.2 100.7 4.7 M M
24000 -16.2 2.8 290 21 11 6.7 3.7 36.9 98.5 3.7 M M
23000 -14.3 6.3 290 21 11 6.7 3.7 35.9 96.6 2.7 M M
22000 -12.3 9.9 290 20 10 7.6 4.2 34.9 94.9 1.9 M M
21000 -10.1 13.8 290 19 10 7.5 4.1 34.1 93.3 1.1 M M
20000 -7.9 17.8 290 17 9 7.6 4.2 33.3 92.0 0.4 M M
19500 -6.8 19.8 290 16 8 7.1 3.9 33.0 91.4 0.1 M M
19000 -5.8 21.6 295 15 8 6.9 3.8 32.5 90.5 -0.4 1169 5.9
18500 -4.9 23.2 295 14 7 6.9 3.8 32.0 89.6 -0.9 1125 5.7
18000 -3.8 25.2 300 13 6 7.4 4.1 31.6 88.8 -1.3 1079 5.5
17500 -2.8 27.0 300 11 6 7.4 4.1 31.2 88.1 -1.7 1032 5.2
17000 -1.7 28.9 300 10 5 8.5 4.6 30.8 87.5 -2.1 985 5.0
16500 -0.3 31.5 300 10 5 9.0 4.9 30.7 87.2 -2.2 930 4.7
16000 1.0 33.8 300 10 5 9.1 5.0 30.6 87.0 -2.3 875 4.4
15500 2.4 36.3 300 10 5 9.4 5.2 30.5 86.9 -2.4 819 4.2
15000 3.8 38.8 300 10 5 9.4 5.2 30.4 86.8 -2.5 763 3.9
14500 5.2 41.4 300 10 5 9.3 5.1 30.4 86.7 -2.6 706 3.6
14000 6.5 43.7 295 10 5 9.3 5.1 30.3 86.6 -2.7 650 3.3
13500 7.9 46.2 290 10 5 8.7 4.8 30.2 86.4 -2.8 595 3.0
13000 9.1 48.4 280 10 5 8.4 4.6 30.0 86.0 -3.0 542 2.8
12500 10.4 50.7 275 9 5 7.7 4.2 29.8 85.7 -3.2 491 2.5
12000 11.4 52.5 260 8 4 7.0 3.8 29.4 84.9 -3.7 446 2.3
11500 12.4 54.3 240 7 4 5.0 2.7 29.0 84.2 -4.2 401 2.0
11000 13.0 55.4 200 6 3 6.3 3.5 28.2 82.7 -5.1 368 1.9
10500 14.3 57.7 160 9 5 6.8 3.8 27.3 81.2 -6.0 307 1.6
10250 14.7 58.5 155 9 5 6.2 3.4 27.1 80.7 -6.3 286 1.5
10000 15.2 59.4 155 10 5 6.3 3.4 26.8 80.2 -6.6 265 1.3
9750 15.6 60.1 150 10 5 6.2 3.4 26.5 79.8 -6.8 244 1.2
9500 16.1 61.0 145 10 5 6.2 3.4 26.3 79.3 -7.1 223 1.1
9250 16.5 61.7 140 11 5 5.8 3.2 26.0 78.8 -7.4 203 1.0
9000 17.0 62.6 140 10 5 5.6 3.1 25.7 78.2 -7.8 183 0.9
8750 17.4 63.3 135 9 5 5.2 2.9 25.3 77.6 -8.1 163 0.8
8500 17.7 63.9 130 9 5 4.6 2.5 25.0 76.9 -8.5 145 0.7
8250 18.1 64.6 125 9 5 4.9 2.7 24.6 76.3 -8.9 127 0.6
8000 18.4 65.1 120 9 4 5.5 3.0 24.2 75.6 -9.3 109 0.6
7750 18.8 65.8 115 8 4 4.7 2.6 23.9 75.0 -9.6 90 0.5
7500 19.1 66.4 115 7 4 3.6 2.0 23.5 74.2 -10.1 73 0.4
7250 19.4 66.9 115 6 3 4.7 2.6 23.0 73.4 -10.5 57 0.3
7000 19.7 67.5 110 5 3 1.2 0.7 22.6 72.7 -11.0 41 0.2
6750 19.4 66.9 105 5 2 -9.3 -5.1 21.6 70.8 -12.1 43 0.2
6500 18.6 65.5 105 2 1 -6.0 -3.3 20.1 68.1 -13.6 58 0.3
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
08/26/2026 at 0900 MDT | 08/26/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... +153.5 LI... -1.8 | CAPE... +713.1 LI... -3.3
CINH... -187.8 K Index... +27.9 | CINH... -23.4 K Index... +28.6
|
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 -64.5 -84.1 310 26 13 2.6 1.4 | -64.9 -84.8 305 21 11 3.4 1.9
45000 -59.5 -75.1 300 34 18 4.5 2.5 | -58.8 -73.8 295 33 17 5.2 2.8
40000 -51.6 -60.9 280 28 14 7.2 4.0 | -50.4 -58.7 285 32 17 6.2 3.4
38000 -47.2 -53.0 275 27 14 7.3 4.0 | -46.7 -52.1 280 31 16 6.2 3.4
36000 -42.9 -45.2 275 26 13 7.5 4.1 | -42.9 -45.2 275 29 15 7.0 3.8
34000 -38.4 -37.1 275 26 13 7.6 4.2 | -38.6 -37.5 280 29 15 7.2 4.0
32000 -33.8 -28.8 280 26 13 7.6 4.2 | -34.3 -29.7 280 28 14 7.4 4.1
30000 -29.3 -20.7 280 23 12 7.7 4.2 | -29.7 -21.5 280 24 12 7.7 4.2
29000 -27.0 -16.6 275 22 11 7.7 4.2 | -27.4 -17.3 280 22 11 7.8 4.3
28000 -24.7 -12.5 275 20 10 7.0 3.9 | -25.1 -13.2 280 20 10 7.4 4.1
27000 -22.6 -8.7 280 19 10 7.1 3.9 | -22.9 -9.2 280 19 10 7.4 4.1
26000 -20.0 -4.0 285 17 9 7.1 3.9 | -20.1 -4.2 285 18 9 7.4 4.1
25000 -17.9 -0.2 290 16 8 6.0 3.3 | -18.0 -0.4 285 16 8 6.2 3.4
24000 -16.1 3.0 285 16 8 6.1 3.3 | -16.1 3.0 290 14 7 6.4 3.5
23000 -14.3 6.3 285 16 8 6.1 3.3 | -14.2 6.4 290 13 7 6.4 3.5
22000 -12.4 9.7 290 16 8 7.4 4.0 | -12.3 9.9 295 12 6 6.7 3.7
21000 -10.3 13.5 290 16 8 7.3 4.0 | -10.3 13.5 305 12 6 6.7 3.7
20000 -8.2 17.2 295 17 9 7.3 4.0 | -8.4 16.9 310 13 7 6.7 3.7
19500 -7.1 19.2 295 17 9 7.5 4.1 | -7.4 18.7 315 14 7 7.3 4.0
19000 -6.1 21.0 295 17 9 7.6 4.2 | -6.3 20.7 310 14 7 7.6 4.1
18500 -5.0 23.0 300 17 9 7.6 4.2 | -5.3 22.5 310 15 8 7.7 4.2
18000 -3.9 25.0 300 17 9 8.0 4.4 | -4.1 24.6 310 15 8 8.8 4.9
17500 -2.7 27.1 300 16 8 8.0 4.4 | -2.8 27.0 310 15 8 8.8 4.8
17000 -1.6 29.1 300 16 8 8.7 4.8 | -1.6 29.1 305 14 7 9.2 5.0
16500 -0.2 31.6 300 15 8 9.0 4.9 | -0.2 31.6 305 14 7 9.3 5.1
16000 1.1 34.0 300 14 7 9.1 5.0 | 1.2 34.2 305 13 7 9.4 5.1
15500 2.4 36.3 300 13 7 9.3 5.1 | 2.6 36.7 305 12 6 9.4 5.2
15000 3.8 38.8 295 12 6 9.3 5.1 | 3.9 39.0 305 12 6 9.4 5.2
14500 5.2 41.4 295 12 6 9.6 5.3 | 5.3 41.5 300 11 6 9.3 5.1
14000 6.6 43.9 290 11 6 9.6 5.2 | 6.7 44.1 300 11 6 9.4 5.1
13500 8.1 46.6 290 11 5 9.5 5.2 | 8.1 46.6 295 11 6 9.4 5.2
13000 9.5 49.1 285 10 5 9.5 5.2 | 9.5 49.1 290 11 6 9.5 5.2
12500 10.9 51.6 280 9 5 9.0 4.9 | 10.9 51.6 285 11 6 8.9 4.9
12000 12.2 54.0 270 8 4 8.6 4.7 | 12.1 53.8 275 11 6 8.5 4.7
11500 13.4 56.1 265 8 4 6.4 3.5 | 13.4 56.1 270 11 6 7.7 4.2
11000 14.1 57.4 250 6 3 6.2 3.4 | 14.9 58.8 260 9 5 7.7 4.2
10500 15.1 59.2 220 5 3 2.4 1.3 | 15.6 60.1 260 7 3 5.4 3.0
10250 15.3 59.5 205 5 3 3.4 1.9 | 16.2 61.2 255 6 3 8.1 4.4
10000 15.5 59.9 195 5 3 3.5 1.9 | 16.7 62.1 250 5 3 7.2 4.0
9750 15.7 60.3 180 5 3 3.0 1.6 | 17.2 63.0 245 5 2 8.2 4.5
9500 15.9 60.6 170 5 3 2.1 1.1 | 17.9 64.2 245 4 2 9.0 4.9
9250 16.0 60.8 155 5 3 3.4 1.9 | 18.5 65.3 240 4 2 9.0 4.9
9000 16.3 61.3 150 4 2 4.4 2.4 | 19.2 66.6 235 4 2 9.0 4.9
8750 16.6 61.9 145 4 2 4.4 2.4 | 19.9 67.8 235 4 2 9.5 5.2
8500 16.9 62.4 135 3 2 4.4 2.4 | 20.6 69.1 235 3 2 10.1 5.5
8250 17.3 63.1 120 3 1 5.3 2.9 | 21.4 70.5 235 3 2 9.9 5.4
8000 17.7 63.9 110 2 1 7.8 4.3 | 22.1 71.8 230 3 2 9.9 5.4
7750 18.4 65.1 100 2 1 9.1 5.0 | 22.8 73.0 230 3 2 10.2 5.6
7500 19.1 66.4 090 2 1 9.5 5.2 | 23.6 74.5 230 3 2 10.6 5.8
7250 19.8 67.6 085 2 1 8.8 4.8 | 24.4 75.9 230 3 2 9.8 5.4
7000 20.5 68.9 080 2 1 10.9 6.0 | 25.2 77.4 230 3 1 13.3 7.3
6750 21.5 70.7 075 1 1 16.7 9.2 | 26.5 79.7 230 3 1 23.0 12.6
6500 22.7 72.9 060 1 1 11.4 6.3 | 28.2 82.8 230 3 1 16.7 9.2
08/26/2026 at 1500 MDT | 08/26/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +359.3 LI... -1.2 | CAPE... +117.8 LI... -0.2
CINH... -216.7 K Index... +27.1 | CINH... -104.8 K Index... +26.5
|
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 -65.6 -86.1 305 24 12 3.8 2.1 | -66.5 -87.7 305 24 12 3.3 1.8
45000 -58.9 -74.0 300 33 17 5.6 3.1 | -59.5 -75.1 305 30 15 6.8 3.8
40000 -49.9 -57.8 290 32 16 6.2 3.4 | -49.2 -56.6 290 31 16 5.7 3.1
38000 -46.1 -51.0 290 31 16 6.2 3.4 | -45.8 -50.4 280 31 16 5.7 3.1
36000 -42.4 -44.3 285 30 16 7.0 3.8 | -42.3 -44.1 265 33 17 8.0 4.4
34000 -38.1 -36.6 290 30 15 7.1 3.9 | -37.4 -35.3 275 30 15 8.2 4.5
32000 -33.8 -28.8 295 29 15 7.3 4.0 | -32.5 -26.5 285 28 15 7.7 4.2
30000 -29.2 -20.6 295 27 14 7.7 4.2 | -28.2 -18.8 295 27 14 7.1 3.9
29000 -26.9 -16.4 300 27 14 7.7 4.2 | -26.1 -15.0 300 26 13 7.1 3.9
28000 -24.7 -12.5 300 26 13 7.5 4.1 | -24.0 -11.2 300 25 13 6.7 3.7
27000 -22.4 -8.3 295 24 12 7.6 4.2 | -22.0 -7.6 300 23 12 6.7 3.7
26000 -19.6 -3.3 295 22 11 7.6 4.2 | -19.5 -3.1 305 21 11 6.7 3.7
25000 -17.5 0.5 290 20 10 6.6 3.6 | -17.5 0.5 305 19 10 7.1 3.9
24000 -15.5 4.1 290 18 9 6.7 3.7 | -15.4 4.3 305 17 9 7.1 3.9
23000 -13.5 7.7 285 17 9 6.8 3.7 | -13.4 7.9 300 15 8 7.2 3.9
22000 -11.5 11.3 285 15 8 6.9 3.8 | -11.2 11.8 300 14 7 8.1 4.5
21000 -9.5 14.9 280 14 7 6.9 3.8 | -8.9 16.0 305 14 7 8.1 4.4
20000 -7.5 18.5 275 12 6 6.9 3.8 | -6.5 20.3 310 14 7 8.1 4.5
19500 -6.5 20.3 270 12 6 7.3 4.0 | -5.4 22.3 310 14 7 7.8 4.3
19000 -5.4 22.3 270 11 6 7.5 4.1 | -4.3 24.3 315 15 8 7.6 4.2
18500 -4.4 24.1 265 11 6 7.5 4.1 | -3.2 26.2 315 15 8 7.6 4.2
18000 -3.2 26.2 265 11 6 8.3 4.6 | -2.1 28.2 315 16 8 7.7 4.2
17500 -2.0 28.4 265 11 6 8.3 4.5 | -1.0 30.2 320 16 8 7.7 4.3
17000 -0.8 30.6 260 11 6 8.3 4.5 | 0.1 32.2 320 17 9 8.1 4.5
16500 0.4 32.7 260 12 6 8.3 4.5 | 1.4 34.5 320 16 8 8.4 4.6
16000 1.6 34.9 260 12 6 8.4 4.6 | 2.6 36.7 320 16 8 8.5 4.6
15500 2.9 37.2 260 12 6 9.0 5.0 | 3.9 39.0 315 16 8 9.1 5.0
15000 4.2 39.6 260 12 6 9.0 5.0 | 5.2 41.4 315 15 8 9.0 4.9
14500 5.6 42.1 260 11 6 8.8 4.8 | 6.6 43.9 310 14 7 8.9 4.9
14000 6.9 44.4 260 11 6 8.8 4.8 | 7.9 46.2 305 14 7 8.9 4.9
13500 8.2 46.8 260 11 6 8.7 4.8 | 9.2 48.6 295 13 7 8.8 4.8
13000 9.4 48.9 260 11 6 8.7 4.8 | 10.5 50.9 290 12 6 8.7 4.8
12500 10.7 51.3 260 10 5 8.9 4.9 | 11.8 53.2 280 12 6 8.7 4.8
12000 12.0 53.6 265 10 5 9.0 4.9 | 13.7 56.7 265 11 6 8.8 4.8
11500 13.4 56.1 270 9 5 8.2 4.5 | 15.0 59.0 260 11 6 8.4 4.6
11000 15.2 59.4 280 8 4 8.2 4.5 | 16.2 61.2 250 11 6 8.4 4.6
10500 16.6 61.9 295 7 4 9.2 5.1 | 17.3 63.1 250 10 5 6.6 3.6
10250 17.1 62.8 300 7 3 7.4 4.1 | 17.8 64.0 245 10 5 7.1 3.9
10000 17.7 63.9 310 6 3 7.8 4.3 | 18.3 64.9 245 10 5 6.9 3.8
9750 18.3 64.9 315 6 3 7.8 4.3 | 18.8 65.8 245 10 5 7.3 4.0
9500 18.8 65.8 330 7 3 7.9 4.4 | 19.3 66.7 245 10 5 8.1 4.5
9250 19.4 66.9 340 7 4 7.1 3.9 | 19.9 67.8 245 10 5 7.5 4.1
9000 19.9 67.8 350 8 4 6.8 3.7 | 20.4 68.7 245 9 5 6.7 3.7
8750 20.4 68.7 355 9 4 5.7 3.2 | 21.0 69.8 240 9 5 7.4 4.1
8500 20.7 69.3 005 10 5 4.4 2.4 | 21.6 70.9 240 9 5 8.7 4.8
8250 21.0 69.8 015 12 6 4.1 2.2 | 22.2 72.0 240 9 4 8.1 4.5
8000 21.2 70.2 020 14 7 3.4 1.8 | 22.7 72.9 240 8 4 6.0 3.3
7750 21.4 70.5 020 15 8 1.4 0.8 | 23.2 73.8 235 7 3 7.4 4.0
7500 21.3 70.3 025 17 9 0.2 0.1 | 23.8 74.8 235 6 3 9.5 5.2
7250 21.3 70.3 030 19 10 -0.2 -0.1 | 24.5 76.1 230 6 3 9.4 5.2
7000 21.2 70.2 030 20 10 0.9 0.5 | 25.2 77.4 230 5 3 8.5 4.7
6750 21.4 70.5 030 19 10 9.6 5.3 | 25.8 78.4 230 5 2 10.1 5.5
6500 22.4 72.3 035 18 9 21.5 11.8 | 27.0 80.6 230 4 2 28.4 15.6
________________________________________________________________________________
This product is issued once per day, at approximately 730 AM local
time. It is not continuously monitored nor updated after its initial
issuance.
The information contained herein is based on numerical weather prediction
model data for the Santa Fe County Municipal Airport site in Santa Fe, New Mexico at
North Latitude: 35.61097 deg
West Longitude: 106.61097 deg
Elevation: 6279.5 feet (1936.0 meters)
and may not be representative of other areas along and east of the Sandia
and Manzano 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 are welcome and should be directed
to one of the addresses or phone numbers shown at the bottom of this page.
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
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