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Soaring Forecast for Moriarty NM
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
0727 MDT Thursday September 17 2026
This forecast is for Thursday, September 17, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 71.8 F/22.1 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 928 ft/min (4.7 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 14933 ft MSL (8603 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 80.0 F/27.1 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1045 MDT
Time of overdevelopment........................ 1200 MDT
Middle/high clouds during soaring window....... None
Surface winds during soaring window............ 20 mph or less
Height of the -3 thermal index................. 12293 ft MSL (5963 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Friday 09/18....... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:48:40 / 19:08:09 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 12 hr 19 min 29 sec (739 min 29 sec)
Altitude of sun at 12:58:25 MDT... 57.04 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 09/17/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 15559 ft MSL (9229 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 11434 ft MSL (5104 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 13018 ft MSL (6688 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... -2.3
K index......................... +29.5
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 -66.7 -88.1 180 2 1 2.1 1.1 74.8 166.6 28.6 M M
45000 -60.9 -77.6 215 14 7 6.7 3.7 61.1 142.0 21.9 M M
40000 -50.5 -58.9 205 22 11 8.0 4.4 55.0 131.1 19.3 M M
38000 -45.8 -50.4 200 17 9 8.0 4.4 53.3 128.0 18.6 M M
36000 -40.4 -40.7 195 13 7 7.6 4.1 52.0 125.5 18.1 M M
34000 -35.9 -32.6 215 15 8 7.6 4.2 50.0 121.9 17.1 M M
32000 -31.3 -24.3 230 19 10 7.7 4.2 48.6 119.4 16.4 M M
30000 -26.8 -16.2 215 22 11 7.6 4.2 46.7 116.0 15.3 M M
29000 -24.5 -12.1 210 24 13 7.7 4.2 46.0 114.7 14.8 M M
28000 -22.3 -8.1 205 26 14 7.3 4.0 45.2 113.3 14.3 M M
27000 -20.2 -4.4 205 28 14 7.3 4.0 44.1 111.5 13.7 M M
26000 -18.0 -0.4 205 29 15 7.3 4.0 43.3 109.9 13.1 M M
25000 -15.9 3.4 205 30 16 6.7 3.7 42.5 108.5 12.5 M M
24000 -14.0 6.8 210 30 15 6.3 3.5 41.1 106.0 11.5 M M
23000 -12.2 10.0 210 30 15 6.3 3.5 39.9 103.8 10.5 M M
22000 -10.3 13.5 215 29 15 6.0 3.3 38.7 101.7 9.6 M M
21000 -8.7 16.3 220 29 15 5.8 3.2 37.2 99.0 8.4 M M
20000 -7.0 19.4 225 28 15 5.8 3.2 35.9 96.6 7.3 M M
19500 -5.7 21.7 225 29 15 5.5 3.0 34.9 94.8 6.4 M M
19000 -5.0 23.0 225 30 16 5.4 2.9 34.1 93.5 5.8 M M
18500 -4.2 24.4 225 32 16 5.4 2.9 33.4 92.1 5.1 M M
18000 -3.4 25.9 225 32 17 5.4 3.0 32.7 90.8 4.4 M M
17500 -2.7 27.1 220 32 16 5.5 3.0 31.9 89.5 3.8 M M
17000 -1.9 28.6 215 31 16 5.1 2.8 31.2 88.2 3.1 M M
16500 -1.2 29.8 210 30 16 4.9 2.7 30.4 86.7 2.3 M M
16000 -0.5 31.1 210 29 15 4.9 2.7 29.6 85.2 1.6 M M
15500 0.2 32.4 205 28 15 4.7 2.6 28.7 83.7 0.8 M M
15000 0.8 33.4 205 27 14 4.6 2.5 27.9 82.2 0.0 M M
14500 1.6 34.9 205 27 14 5.7 3.1 27.2 80.9 -0.7 692 3.5
14000 2.4 36.3 205 26 14 5.6 3.0 26.5 79.7 -1.4 654 3.3
13500 3.2 37.8 205 26 13 6.9 3.8 25.9 78.6 -2.0 613 3.1
13000 4.3 39.7 200 26 13 7.2 3.9 25.5 77.9 -2.4 567 2.9
12500 5.3 41.5 200 26 13 7.2 3.9 25.1 77.1 -2.8 521 2.6
12000 6.3 43.3 195 26 13 7.2 4.0 24.7 76.4 -3.3 475 2.4
11500 7.4 45.3 195 25 13 9.2 5.1 24.3 75.8 -3.7 428 2.2
11000 8.6 47.5 195 23 12 6.8 3.7 24.1 75.4 -3.9 376 1.9
10500 9.7 49.5 190 21 11 8.3 4.5 23.7 74.7 -4.3 330 1.7
10250 10.3 50.5 190 19 10 8.5 4.6 23.7 74.6 -4.4 304 1.5
10000 10.9 51.6 185 17 9 6.3 3.5 23.5 74.3 -4.6 281 1.4
9750 11.3 52.3 185 16 8 5.7 3.1 23.2 73.7 -5.0 261 1.3
9500 11.7 53.1 180 15 8 5.6 3.1 22.9 73.2 -5.3 242 1.2
9250 12.0 53.6 180 13 7 5.4 3.0 22.5 72.6 -5.7 223 1.1
9000 12.4 54.3 175 11 6 5.5 3.0 22.2 72.0 -6.0 204 1.0
8750 12.8 55.0 175 10 5 5.1 2.8 21.9 71.4 -6.4 186 0.9
8500 13.1 55.6 180 8 4 4.1 2.3 21.5 70.7 -6.8 169 0.9
8250 13.4 56.1 185 7 3 3.7 2.0 21.0 69.8 -7.3 154 0.8
8000 13.6 56.5 195 5 3 3.7 2.0 20.6 69.0 -7.8 139 0.7
7750 13.8 56.8 215 4 2 3.7 2.0 20.1 68.2 -8.3 125 0.6
7500 14.1 57.4 235 2 1 3.9 2.1 19.6 67.4 -8.9 110 0.6
7250 14.3 57.7 280 2 1 3.7 2.0 19.2 66.6 -9.4 95 0.5
7000 14.6 58.3 315 3 1 4.7 2.6 18.8 65.8 -9.8 80 0.4
6750 15.0 59.0 330 3 2 6.2 3.4 18.5 65.2 -10.2 61 0.3
6500 15.4 59.7 335 3 2 5.6 3.1 18.2 64.7 -10.6 42 0.2
6250 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
09/17/2026 at 0900 MDT | 09/17/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... +77.1 LI... -0.7 | CAPE... +313.5 LI... -2.5
CINH... -67.5 K Index... +29.3 | CINH... -17.5 K Index... +27.9
|
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 -66.5 -87.7 180 7 4 2.2 1.2 | -66.8 -88.2 185 5 3 2.8 1.5
45000 -60.7 -77.3 220 14 7 6.7 3.7 | -60.6 -77.1 220 12 6 6.3 3.4
40000 -50.3 -58.5 210 20 10 7.9 4.3 | -50.7 -59.3 200 23 12 8.1 4.4
38000 -45.0 -49.0 185 19 10 7.9 4.3 | -45.2 -49.4 195 23 12 8.1 4.5
36000 -40.3 -40.5 165 21 11 7.3 4.0 | -40.4 -40.7 185 24 12 7.8 4.3
34000 -36.0 -32.8 170 18 9 7.4 4.0 | -35.7 -32.3 190 22 12 7.9 4.3
32000 -31.6 -24.9 180 15 8 7.6 4.2 | -31.0 -23.8 190 21 11 7.5 4.1
30000 -26.9 -16.4 185 16 8 7.8 4.3 | -26.7 -16.1 200 20 10 7.2 4.0
29000 -24.6 -12.3 185 17 9 7.8 4.3 | -24.6 -12.3 200 20 10 7.2 4.0
28000 -22.4 -8.3 190 18 9 6.9 3.8 | -22.5 -8.5 205 20 10 6.7 3.7
27000 -20.4 -4.7 190 19 10 7.0 3.8 | -20.5 -4.9 205 22 11 6.7 3.7
26000 -18.3 -0.9 190 21 11 7.0 3.9 | -18.5 -1.3 205 24 12 6.8 3.7
25000 -16.3 2.7 195 22 12 6.5 3.6 | -16.6 2.1 205 26 14 6.4 3.5
24000 -14.4 6.1 200 24 12 6.2 3.4 | -14.7 5.5 210 28 14 6.2 3.4
23000 -12.6 9.3 200 26 13 6.2 3.4 | -12.9 8.8 215 29 15 6.2 3.4
22000 -10.8 12.6 205 28 14 6.2 3.4 | -11.1 12.0 215 30 16 5.9 3.2
21000 -9.0 15.8 210 29 15 6.3 3.4 | -9.4 15.1 215 31 16 5.7 3.1
20000 -6.7 19.9 210 31 16 6.3 3.5 | -7.3 18.9 215 33 17 5.7 3.1
19500 -5.9 21.4 215 32 16 4.8 2.6 | -6.5 20.3 215 33 17 6.4 3.5
19000 -5.2 22.6 215 32 17 4.3 2.4 | -5.5 22.1 210 33 17 6.5 3.6
18500 -4.6 23.7 215 33 17 4.3 2.4 | -4.5 23.9 210 33 17 6.6 3.6
18000 -3.9 25.0 220 33 17 5.2 2.9 | -3.5 25.7 210 32 16 6.9 3.8
17500 -3.2 26.2 220 33 17 5.1 2.8 | -2.5 27.5 210 30 16 6.9 3.8
17000 -2.5 27.5 225 33 17 5.1 2.8 | -1.6 29.1 210 29 15 6.0 3.3
16500 -1.8 28.8 225 33 17 5.1 2.8 | -0.8 30.6 210 27 14 5.8 3.2
16000 -1.1 30.0 230 32 17 5.5 3.0 | 0.0 32.0 215 26 13 5.9 3.2
15500 -0.2 31.6 230 32 17 6.7 3.7 | 0.9 33.6 215 25 13 6.1 3.3
15000 0.8 33.4 225 32 16 6.7 3.7 | 1.7 35.1 215 24 12 6.1 3.3
14500 1.7 35.1 225 31 16 6.8 3.7 | 2.7 36.9 215 24 12 6.7 3.7
14000 2.7 36.9 225 31 16 6.7 3.7 | 3.6 38.5 215 24 13 6.5 3.6
13500 3.7 38.7 220 30 15 7.2 4.0 | 4.6 40.3 215 25 13 7.6 4.2
13000 4.8 40.6 220 28 15 7.2 4.0 | 5.7 42.3 215 25 13 7.6 4.2
12500 5.9 42.6 215 27 14 7.8 4.3 | 6.8 44.2 210 25 13 7.7 4.2
12000 7.1 44.8 215 27 14 8.0 4.4 | 7.9 46.2 205 25 13 7.7 4.2
11500 8.3 46.9 210 26 13 8.8 4.8 | 9.1 48.4 200 24 12 8.7 4.8
11000 9.3 48.7 210 25 13 6.0 3.3 | 10.1 50.2 195 22 11 5.8 3.2
10500 10.3 50.5 205 24 12 7.3 4.0 | 10.9 51.6 185 20 10 6.0 3.3
10250 10.8 51.4 205 23 12 7.4 4.1 | 11.3 52.3 180 19 10 5.5 3.0
10000 11.3 52.3 205 22 12 5.6 3.1 | 11.6 52.9 175 18 9 4.3 2.4
9750 11.7 53.1 200 22 11 4.9 2.7 | 11.9 53.4 175 18 9 4.6 2.5
9500 12.0 53.6 200 21 11 4.9 2.7 | 12.3 54.1 170 17 9 6.8 3.7
9250 12.3 54.1 195 19 10 5.0 2.7 | 12.8 55.0 170 16 8 8.0 4.4
9000 12.6 54.7 190 18 9 4.6 2.5 | 13.3 55.9 165 16 8 7.4 4.1
8750 12.9 55.2 185 17 9 3.8 2.1 | 13.9 57.0 165 15 8 7.8 4.3
8500 13.1 55.6 180 15 8 3.4 1.9 | 14.5 58.1 165 15 8 8.9 4.9
8250 13.3 55.9 170 13 7 3.2 1.8 | 15.2 59.4 165 14 7 9.2 5.1
8000 13.5 56.3 160 12 6 3.5 1.9 | 15.8 60.4 165 14 7 9.0 4.9
7750 13.7 56.7 150 11 5 3.0 1.6 | 16.5 61.7 165 13 7 9.5 5.2
7500 13.9 57.0 135 9 5 2.4 1.3 | 17.3 63.1 165 13 7 10.2 5.6
7250 14.0 57.2 115 8 4 2.1 1.2 | 18.0 64.4 165 13 7 10.1 5.5
7000 14.1 57.4 090 8 4 3.4 1.9 | 18.8 65.8 165 12 6 10.5 5.8
6750 14.5 58.1 080 8 4 7.0 3.8 | 19.7 67.5 165 12 6 15.3 8.4
6500 15.1 59.2 070 8 4 9.3 5.1 | 21.0 69.8 165 11 5 21.6 11.9
6250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
09/17/2026 at 1500 MDT | 09/17/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +482.2 LI... -2.3 | CAPE... +282.1 LI... -2.1
CINH... -3.4 K Index... +31.5 | CINH... -56.9 K Index... +32.0
|
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 -67.1 -88.8 165 4 2 3.3 1.8 | -66.8 -88.2 235 2 1 2.5 1.4
45000 -60.6 -77.1 225 8 4 6.0 3.3 | -60.7 -77.3 250 9 4 6.5 3.6
40000 -51.0 -59.8 215 21 11 8.2 4.5 | -50.6 -59.1 230 21 11 7.8 4.3
38000 -46.1 -51.0 215 20 10 8.2 4.5 | -45.9 -50.6 220 20 10 7.8 4.3
36000 -40.6 -41.1 215 19 10 7.8 4.3 | -40.6 -41.1 205 19 10 8.4 4.6
34000 -35.9 -32.6 205 20 10 7.8 4.3 | -35.6 -32.1 205 18 9 8.3 4.6
32000 -31.2 -24.2 200 21 11 7.6 4.2 | -30.7 -23.3 205 18 9 7.7 4.2
30000 -26.8 -16.2 195 19 10 7.5 4.1 | -26.3 -15.3 200 17 9 7.3 4.0
29000 -24.5 -12.1 195 18 9 7.5 4.1 | -24.2 -11.6 200 17 9 7.3 4.0
28000 -22.4 -8.3 195 18 9 7.0 3.8 | -22.0 -7.6 195 18 9 7.1 3.9
27000 -20.3 -4.5 195 20 10 7.0 3.8 | -19.9 -3.8 195 20 10 7.1 3.9
26000 -18.3 -0.9 200 22 11 7.0 3.9 | -17.8 -0.0 195 22 12 7.2 3.9
25000 -16.2 2.8 200 23 12 6.3 3.5 | -15.7 3.7 195 24 13 6.9 3.8
24000 -14.5 5.9 205 25 13 5.9 3.2 | -13.7 7.3 200 25 13 6.7 3.7
23000 -12.7 9.1 210 26 13 5.9 3.2 | -11.7 10.9 210 26 14 6.7 3.7
22000 -11.0 12.2 210 27 14 6.2 3.4 | -9.7 14.5 215 28 14 5.6 3.1
21000 -9.1 15.6 210 27 14 6.4 3.5 | -8.0 17.6 220 26 13 5.0 2.7
20000 -6.8 19.8 215 27 14 6.5 3.5 | -6.5 20.3 230 25 13 5.0 2.8
19500 -5.9 21.4 215 27 14 5.2 2.8 | -5.9 21.4 230 25 13 4.4 2.4
19000 -5.2 22.6 215 27 14 4.8 2.6 | -5.3 22.5 230 25 13 4.2 2.3
18500 -4.5 23.9 215 28 14 4.8 2.6 | -4.8 23.4 235 25 13 4.2 2.3
18000 -3.8 25.2 220 28 14 4.8 2.6 | -4.2 24.4 230 24 13 4.1 2.3
17500 -3.2 26.2 220 28 14 4.8 2.6 | -3.6 25.5 230 24 12 4.2 2.3
17000 -2.5 27.5 220 28 14 5.0 2.7 | -3.0 26.6 225 23 12 6.0 3.3
16500 -1.8 28.8 215 27 14 5.1 2.8 | -2.0 28.4 220 22 11 6.8 3.7
16000 -1.2 29.8 210 27 14 5.8 3.2 | -1.1 30.0 215 21 11 7.2 4.0
15500 -0.1 31.8 210 26 13 7.8 4.3 | 0.0 32.0 215 21 11 8.6 4.7
15000 0.9 33.6 205 25 13 7.7 4.2 | 1.2 34.2 215 21 11 8.6 4.7
14500 2.1 35.8 205 25 13 8.6 4.7 | 2.4 36.3 215 21 11 7.6 4.2
14000 3.3 37.9 205 24 13 8.4 4.6 | 3.5 38.3 215 21 11 7.6 4.2
13500 4.5 40.1 205 24 12 9.2 5.1 | 4.7 40.5 215 21 11 9.6 5.2
13000 5.9 42.6 205 24 12 9.3 5.1 | 6.1 43.0 215 21 11 9.8 5.4
12500 7.2 45.0 205 23 12 8.9 4.9 | 7.6 45.7 215 21 11 9.7 5.3
12000 8.5 47.3 200 22 12 8.6 4.7 | 9.0 48.2 215 21 11 9.5 5.2
11500 9.9 49.8 200 22 11 11.0 6.0 | 10.4 50.7 215 21 11 10.6 5.8
11000 11.3 52.3 195 21 11 8.1 4.4 | 11.8 53.2 215 20 10 8.2 4.5
10500 12.6 54.7 195 20 10 10.4 5.7 | 13.1 55.6 215 20 10 10.4 5.7
10250 13.4 56.1 195 19 10 10.4 5.7 | 13.9 57.0 215 20 10 10.5 5.7
10000 14.0 57.2 195 19 10 8.0 4.4 | 14.6 58.3 210 19 10 7.7 4.2
9750 14.7 58.5 190 19 10 8.3 4.5 | 15.1 59.2 210 19 10 7.9 4.3
9500 15.3 59.5 190 18 9 9.3 5.1 | 15.7 60.3 205 19 10 7.6 4.2
9250 16.0 60.8 190 18 9 10.2 5.6 | 16.3 61.3 205 18 9 7.6 4.2
9000 16.8 62.2 185 17 9 9.4 5.2 | 16.8 62.2 200 18 9 6.8 3.8
8750 17.4 63.3 185 17 9 9.1 5.0 | 17.2 63.0 195 17 9 6.1 3.4
8500 18.1 64.6 185 16 8 9.4 5.2 | 17.7 63.9 190 17 9 6.2 3.4
8250 18.8 65.8 180 16 8 9.5 5.2 | 18.1 64.6 180 17 9 6.1 3.4
8000 19.5 67.1 180 15 8 9.3 5.1 | 18.5 65.3 175 17 9 5.8 3.2
7750 20.2 68.4 175 15 8 9.3 5.1 | 18.9 66.0 170 18 9 5.5 3.0
7500 20.9 69.6 175 14 7 9.7 5.3 | 19.3 66.7 160 18 9 6.1 3.4
7250 21.6 70.9 170 14 7 9.9 5.4 | 19.8 67.6 155 18 9 6.8 3.7
7000 22.3 72.1 170 13 7 9.4 5.2 | 20.3 68.5 150 17 9 5.5 3.0
6750 23.0 73.4 165 13 7 9.2 5.0 | 20.6 69.1 145 18 9 6.5 3.6
6500 23.7 74.7 165 11 6 10.1 5.5 | 21.3 70.3 145 15 8 12.2 6.7
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
0726 MDT Thursday September 17 2026
This forecast is for Thursday, September 17, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 71.3 F/21.8 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Good
Maximum rate of lift........................ 705 ft/min (3.6 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 12373 ft MSL (6695 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 78.0 F/26.0 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................. 10099 ft MSL (4421 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Friday 09/18....... Good
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:51:09 / 19:10:39 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 12 hr 19 min 31 sec (739 min 31 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:00:54 MDT... 56.99 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 09/17/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 15472 ft MSL (9794 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 10264 ft MSL (4586 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 11456 ft MSL (5778 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... -1.4
K index......................... +30.5
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 -66.6 -87.9 205 7 4 2.5 1.4 77.3 171.1 30.5 M M
45000 -60.3 -76.5 215 20 10 6.9 3.8 64.4 148.0 24.5 M M
40000 -50.0 -58.0 215 25 13 6.7 3.7 58.2 136.8 22.0 M M
38000 -45.5 -49.9 200 22 11 6.7 3.7 55.1 131.1 20.5 M M
36000 -41.4 -42.5 190 21 11 8.2 4.5 52.9 127.3 19.4 M M
34000 -36.5 -33.7 190 23 12 8.2 4.5 51.4 124.5 18.8 M M
32000 -31.7 -25.1 195 26 13 8.2 4.5 50.4 122.7 18.5 M M
30000 -26.8 -16.2 200 26 13 8.3 4.5 49.0 120.2 17.8 M M
29000 -24.4 -11.9 200 26 13 8.3 4.5 48.5 119.3 17.5 M M
28000 -22.0 -7.6 200 26 13 6.9 3.8 47.9 118.1 17.2 M M
27000 -20.0 -4.0 200 26 13 7.1 3.9 46.7 116.1 16.5 M M
26000 -17.9 -0.2 200 26 13 7.1 3.9 45.7 114.3 15.8 M M
25000 -15.8 3.6 200 26 13 6.7 3.7 44.9 112.8 15.3 M M
24000 -14.0 6.8 205 26 14 6.1 3.4 43.4 110.2 14.2 M M
23000 -11.8 10.8 205 27 14 6.1 3.4 41.8 107.3 13.0 M M
22000 -10.0 14.0 205 28 14 5.7 3.1 40.6 105.0 12.0 M M
21000 -8.4 16.9 210 30 15 5.8 3.2 39.1 102.3 10.8 M M
20000 -6.7 19.9 215 32 16 5.8 3.2 37.7 99.9 9.7 M M
19500 -5.9 21.4 215 33 17 5.6 3.1 37.1 98.8 9.2 M M
19000 -5.1 22.8 215 33 17 5.3 2.9 36.3 97.3 8.5 M M
18500 -4.4 24.1 220 34 17 5.3 2.9 35.5 96.0 7.9 M M
18000 -3.6 25.5 220 34 18 5.1 2.8 34.8 94.6 7.2 M M
17500 -2.9 26.8 220 35 18 5.1 2.8 34.0 93.1 6.5 M M
17000 -2.2 28.0 220 35 18 4.9 2.7 33.2 91.7 5.8 M M
16500 -1.5 29.3 215 36 18 4.8 2.6 32.3 90.2 5.1 M M
16000 -0.8 30.6 215 36 19 4.8 2.6 31.5 88.7 4.3 M M
15500 -0.1 31.8 210 36 19 5.7 3.1 30.8 87.4 3.6 M M
15000 0.7 33.3 210 36 19 5.7 3.1 30.1 86.2 3.0 M M
14500 1.5 34.7 205 36 19 5.9 3.2 29.4 85.0 2.4 M M
14000 2.4 36.3 200 36 19 5.9 3.2 28.8 83.8 1.8 M M
13500 3.2 37.8 200 36 19 6.5 3.6 28.2 82.7 1.2 M M
13000 4.2 39.6 195 36 19 6.9 3.8 27.7 81.9 0.7 M M
12500 5.2 41.4 195 36 19 6.7 3.7 27.3 81.1 0.2 M M
12000 6.1 43.0 190 35 18 6.3 3.5 26.7 80.1 -0.4 479 2.4
11500 7.0 44.6 190 34 17 5.9 3.2 26.2 79.1 -0.9 438 2.2
11000 7.7 45.9 190 32 16 5.1 2.8 25.5 77.8 -1.7 401 2.0
10500 8.4 47.1 190 30 15 6.2 3.4 24.7 76.5 -2.4 366 1.9
10250 8.9 48.0 190 28 14 6.5 3.6 24.5 76.1 -2.7 344 1.7
10000 9.3 48.7 190 26 13 5.3 2.9 24.2 75.5 -3.0 324 1.6
9750 9.7 49.5 190 25 13 5.7 3.1 23.9 74.9 -3.3 305 1.5
9500 10.1 50.2 190 23 12 5.5 3.0 23.5 74.4 -3.6 285 1.4
9250 10.5 50.9 185 21 11 6.3 3.5 23.2 73.8 -4.0 265 1.3
9000 11.0 51.8 185 20 10 7.0 3.8 23.0 73.4 -4.2 243 1.2
8750 12.0 53.6 185 17 9 6.0 3.3 22.6 72.6 -4.7 199 1.0
8500 12.3 54.1 180 15 8 5.6 3.0 22.2 72.0 -5.1 180 0.9
8250 12.8 55.0 175 14 7 6.5 3.6 22.0 71.5 -5.4 160 0.8
8000 13.2 55.8 175 13 6 6.2 3.4 21.7 71.1 -5.7 139 0.7
7750 13.6 56.5 170 11 6 4.3 2.3 21.4 70.5 -6.0 120 0.6
7500 13.8 56.8 165 8 4 3.4 1.8 20.9 69.6 -6.5 106 0.5
7250 14.1 57.4 155 6 3 5.0 2.7 20.5 68.8 -7.0 90 0.5
7000 14.5 58.1 140 4 2 5.1 2.8 20.1 68.2 -7.4 72 0.4
6750 14.8 58.6 125 3 1 4.2 2.3 19.7 67.5 -7.8 55 0.3
6500 15.1 59.2 100 2 1 3.9 2.1 19.3 66.8 -8.2 39 0.2
6250 15.4 59.7 050 2 1 5.8 3.2 18.9 66.0 -8.7 22 0.1
6000 16.0 60.8 040 2 1 11.0 6.0 18.8 65.9 -8.8 M M
5750 16.8 62.2 020 2 1 7.6 4.2 18.9 66.0 -8.8 M M
5500 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
09/17/2026 at 0900 MDT | 09/17/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... +157.1 LI... -1.3 | CAPE... +423.0 LI... -2.8
CINH... -66.3 K Index... +30.3 | CINH... -15.4 K Index... +29.5
|
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 -66.4 -87.5 180 4 2 2.6 1.4 | -66.9 -88.4 180 6 3 3.4 1.9
45000 -60.5 -76.9 235 13 7 6.4 3.5 | -60.3 -76.5 225 12 6 6.1 3.4
40000 -50.6 -59.1 215 22 11 7.7 4.3 | -50.6 -59.1 205 27 14 7.9 4.3
38000 -45.3 -49.5 190 23 12 7.8 4.3 | -45.3 -49.5 195 26 14 7.9 4.3
36000 -40.7 -41.3 180 25 13 7.8 4.3 | -40.6 -41.1 190 26 14 7.7 4.2
34000 -36.0 -32.8 185 24 12 7.8 4.3 | -36.0 -32.8 195 24 12 7.7 4.2
32000 -31.4 -24.5 190 22 11 7.7 4.2 | -31.5 -24.7 195 21 11 7.9 4.3
30000 -26.8 -16.2 190 22 11 7.7 4.2 | -26.7 -16.1 205 21 11 8.0 4.4
29000 -24.6 -12.3 190 22 11 7.7 4.2 | -24.3 -11.7 205 21 11 8.0 4.4
28000 -22.4 -8.3 190 22 11 6.5 3.6 | -22.1 -7.8 210 22 11 6.3 3.5
27000 -20.5 -4.9 195 24 13 6.6 3.6 | -20.2 -4.4 210 23 12 6.5 3.5
26000 -18.5 -1.3 200 27 14 6.7 3.7 | -18.2 -0.8 205 24 12 6.5 3.5
25000 -16.5 2.3 205 29 15 6.6 3.6 | -16.3 2.7 205 25 13 6.1 3.4
24000 -14.7 5.5 205 29 15 6.4 3.5 | -14.2 6.4 210 25 13 5.9 3.2
23000 -12.3 9.9 210 29 15 6.5 3.5 | -12.5 9.5 215 25 13 5.9 3.2
22000 -10.5 13.1 215 29 15 6.0 3.3 | -10.8 12.6 215 26 13 6.1 3.3
21000 -8.7 16.3 220 29 15 6.1 3.3 | -9.0 15.8 215 27 14 6.1 3.3
20000 -6.9 19.6 225 28 14 6.0 3.3 | -7.3 18.9 215 28 14 6.1 3.3
19500 -6.1 21.0 225 28 14 5.1 2.8 | -6.4 20.5 215 29 15 6.1 3.3
19000 -5.4 22.3 225 27 14 4.4 2.4 | -5.5 22.1 215 29 15 6.1 3.4
18500 -4.8 23.4 230 26 13 4.3 2.4 | -4.6 23.7 215 29 15 6.1 3.4
18000 -4.2 24.4 230 26 13 4.6 2.5 | -3.8 25.2 210 29 15 5.9 3.2
17500 -3.6 25.5 225 27 14 4.6 2.5 | -2.9 26.8 210 30 15 5.9 3.2
17000 -2.9 26.8 225 27 14 5.3 2.9 | -2.1 28.2 210 30 15 6.1 3.3
16500 -2.1 28.2 225 29 15 6.0 3.3 | -1.2 29.8 210 30 15 6.2 3.4
16000 -1.2 29.8 220 31 16 6.1 3.4 | -0.3 31.5 205 30 15 6.3 3.4
15500 -0.3 31.5 220 32 16 7.2 4.0 | 0.6 33.1 205 30 15 6.6 3.6
15000 0.8 33.4 220 33 17 7.2 4.0 | 1.6 34.9 205 29 15 6.5 3.6
14500 1.7 35.1 220 34 17 6.6 3.6 | 2.5 36.5 205 30 15 7.0 3.9
14000 2.7 36.9 215 34 17 6.6 3.6 | 3.5 38.3 205 30 15 7.0 3.9
13500 3.6 38.5 215 34 18 7.2 3.9 | 4.5 40.1 205 30 16 7.5 4.1
13000 4.7 40.5 215 34 17 7.3 4.0 | 5.6 42.1 205 31 16 7.6 4.2
12500 5.7 42.3 210 33 17 7.6 4.2 | 6.7 44.1 205 31 16 7.6 4.1
12000 6.9 44.4 210 32 16 7.8 4.3 | 7.8 46.0 200 31 16 7.4 4.1
11500 8.0 46.4 205 30 16 7.5 4.1 | 8.9 48.0 200 30 15 6.7 3.7
11000 9.1 48.4 200 29 15 7.0 3.9 | 9.7 49.5 195 27 14 6.0 3.3
10500 10.1 50.2 195 27 14 5.9 3.2 | 10.5 50.9 195 24 13 6.1 3.4
10250 10.5 50.9 195 26 13 5.8 3.2 | 11.0 51.8 190 23 12 6.4 3.5
10000 11.0 51.8 190 25 13 7.2 3.9 | 11.4 52.5 190 21 11 6.1 3.3
9750 11.5 52.7 190 24 12 7.3 4.0 | 11.9 53.4 190 20 10 6.8 3.7
9500 12.0 53.6 185 23 12 5.2 2.8 | 12.3 54.1 185 18 9 3.9 2.1
9250 12.2 54.0 185 22 11 5.6 3.1 | 12.4 54.3 185 16 8 4.7 2.6
9000 12.8 55.0 180 20 10 8.2 4.5 | 12.9 55.2 185 15 8 8.0 4.4
8750 13.3 55.9 180 19 10 7.5 4.1 | 13.4 56.1 180 14 7 7.2 3.9
8500 13.8 56.8 175 17 9 6.0 3.3 | 14.5 58.1 180 11 6 8.4 4.6
8250 14.2 57.6 175 16 8 5.1 2.8 | 15.2 59.4 180 11 5 9.3 5.1
8000 15.0 59.0 165 13 6 5.3 2.9 | 15.8 60.4 175 10 5 9.3 5.1
7750 15.3 59.5 160 11 6 2.8 1.5 | 16.5 61.7 175 9 5 9.3 5.1
7500 15.4 59.7 160 9 4 2.1 1.2 | 17.2 63.0 180 9 5 9.4 5.2
7250 15.6 60.1 150 7 4 4.3 2.3 | 17.9 64.2 180 9 4 10.0 5.5
7000 15.9 60.6 140 6 3 5.0 2.7 | 18.7 65.7 180 8 4 10.3 5.6
6750 16.2 61.2 130 4 2 4.4 2.4 | 19.4 66.9 180 8 4 10.4 5.7
6500 16.5 61.7 115 3 2 4.2 2.3 | 20.2 68.4 180 7 4 10.0 5.5
6250 16.8 62.2 080 2 1 6.0 3.3 | 21.0 69.8 185 7 4 11.3 6.2
6000 17.4 63.3 065 2 1 11.2 6.1 | 22.0 71.6 185 7 3 17.4 9.6
5750 18.2 64.8 045 2 1 8.8 4.8 | 23.5 74.3 190 6 3 26.2 14.4
5500 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
09/17/2026 at 1500 MDT | 09/17/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +629.1 LI... -3.1 | CAPE... +470.4 LI... -2.8
CINH... -0.1 K Index... +32.4 | CINH... -2.7 K Index... +31.1
|
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 -66.6 -87.9 190 6 3 3.1 1.7 | -66.5 -87.7 215 6 3 2.9 1.6
45000 -60.2 -76.4 230 12 6 6.0 3.3 | -60.2 -76.4 235 12 6 6.2 3.4
40000 -50.8 -59.4 215 28 15 7.7 4.2 | -50.5 -58.9 225 28 14 7.7 4.2
38000 -45.6 -50.1 210 28 14 7.7 4.2 | -45.2 -49.4 210 26 13 7.7 4.2
36000 -41.0 -41.8 210 28 14 8.2 4.5 | -40.6 -41.1 200 25 13 8.0 4.4
34000 -36.1 -33.0 205 27 14 8.2 4.5 | -35.8 -32.4 205 24 12 8.0 4.4
32000 -31.2 -24.2 205 26 13 8.0 4.4 | -31.0 -23.8 205 22 11 7.7 4.2
30000 -26.6 -15.9 200 24 13 7.8 4.3 | -26.7 -16.1 200 22 12 7.3 4.0
29000 -24.3 -11.7 200 23 12 7.8 4.3 | -24.5 -12.1 200 23 12 7.4 4.0
28000 -22.2 -8.0 200 23 12 6.0 3.3 | -22.3 -8.1 200 23 12 7.2 3.9
27000 -20.3 -4.5 200 24 13 6.2 3.4 | -20.2 -4.4 200 23 12 7.2 3.9
26000 -18.5 -1.3 200 26 13 6.3 3.4 | -18.0 -0.4 200 24 12 7.2 3.9
25000 -16.7 1.9 200 27 14 6.3 3.5 | -15.9 3.4 200 25 13 6.6 3.6
24000 -14.9 5.2 200 26 13 6.3 3.5 | -14.2 6.4 200 24 12 5.9 3.2
23000 -12.5 9.5 205 25 13 6.3 3.5 | -12.0 10.4 205 22 12 5.9 3.3
22000 -10.7 12.7 205 24 13 6.0 3.3 | -10.3 13.5 210 21 11 5.7 3.1
21000 -8.9 16.0 210 23 12 6.1 3.3 | -8.7 16.3 215 20 10 5.8 3.2
20000 -7.2 19.0 210 23 12 6.1 3.3 | -7.0 19.4 220 19 10 5.8 3.2
19500 -6.3 20.7 215 22 11 5.4 3.0 | -6.2 20.8 225 18 9 5.9 3.2
19000 -5.6 21.9 215 23 12 4.9 2.7 | -5.4 22.3 225 19 10 6.0 3.3
18500 -4.9 23.2 215 24 12 4.9 2.7 | -4.5 23.9 225 19 10 6.0 3.3
18000 -4.2 24.4 215 25 13 5.6 3.1 | -3.7 25.3 225 19 10 5.9 3.2
17500 -3.4 25.9 215 26 14 5.6 3.1 | -2.8 27.0 220 20 10 5.9 3.2
17000 -2.6 27.3 210 28 14 6.2 3.4 | -2.0 28.4 220 21 11 6.3 3.4
16500 -1.6 29.1 210 28 14 6.6 3.6 | -1.0 30.2 220 21 11 6.6 3.6
16000 -0.7 30.7 205 28 15 6.7 3.7 | -0.1 31.8 220 22 11 6.6 3.6
15500 0.3 32.5 205 28 14 7.2 3.9 | 0.9 33.6 220 22 11 6.8 3.7
15000 1.3 34.3 200 28 14 7.1 3.9 | 1.8 35.2 220 22 12 6.8 3.8
14500 2.4 36.3 200 27 14 8.0 4.4 | 2.8 37.0 220 23 12 6.8 3.7
14000 3.5 38.3 200 26 14 8.0 4.4 | 3.7 38.7 220 23 12 6.8 3.7
13500 4.6 40.3 195 26 13 8.1 4.4 | 4.7 40.5 220 23 12 7.8 4.3
13000 5.8 42.4 195 25 13 8.1 4.4 | 5.9 42.6 215 22 11 8.2 4.5
12500 6.9 44.4 195 24 12 8.4 4.6 | 7.1 44.8 215 22 11 8.8 4.8
12000 8.1 46.6 190 22 12 8.5 4.7 | 8.4 47.1 210 22 11 9.3 5.1
11500 9.4 48.9 190 21 11 8.4 4.6 | 9.7 49.5 210 21 11 9.2 5.0
11000 10.5 50.9 190 20 10 8.3 4.5 | 11.1 52.0 205 21 11 9.0 4.9
10500 11.8 53.2 190 19 10 9.3 5.1 | 12.4 54.3 205 21 11 9.8 5.4
10250 12.5 54.5 190 19 10 9.6 5.2 | 13.1 55.6 205 21 11 9.3 5.1
10000 13.2 55.8 190 19 10 9.4 5.1 | 13.8 56.8 205 21 11 9.1 5.0
9750 13.9 57.0 190 18 9 9.6 5.3 | 14.5 58.1 205 21 11 9.3 5.1
9500 14.6 58.3 190 18 9 8.8 4.8 | 15.1 59.2 205 21 11 8.7 4.8
9250 15.2 59.4 190 18 9 9.1 5.0 | 15.8 60.4 200 21 11 9.3 5.1
9000 16.0 60.8 190 18 9 10.2 5.6 | 16.5 61.7 200 21 11 10.1 5.5
8750 16.7 62.1 190 18 9 10.0 5.5 | 17.3 63.1 200 21 11 10.4 5.7
8500 17.4 63.3 190 18 9 9.0 4.9 | 18.5 65.3 200 21 11 8.7 4.8
8250 18.8 65.8 195 17 9 10.2 5.6 | 19.3 66.7 200 21 11 11.1 6.1
8000 19.5 67.1 195 17 9 9.9 5.5 | 20.1 68.2 200 21 11 10.5 5.8
7750 20.3 68.5 195 17 9 9.7 5.3 | 20.9 69.6 200 21 11 9.2 5.0
7500 21.0 69.8 200 17 9 9.7 5.3 | 21.5 70.7 200 21 11 8.6 4.7
7250 21.7 71.1 200 16 8 10.5 5.8 | 22.2 72.0 200 21 11 10.1 5.5
7000 22.5 72.5 200 16 8 10.4 5.7 | 23.0 73.4 200 21 11 10.3 5.7
6750 23.2 73.8 200 16 8 9.9 5.4 | 23.7 74.7 200 20 10 9.8 5.4
6500 24.0 75.2 205 16 8 9.9 5.4 | 24.4 75.9 200 20 10 9.8 5.4
6250 24.7 76.5 205 15 8 10.2 5.6 | 25.2 77.4 200 20 10 9.6 5.3
6000 25.6 78.1 205 15 8 16.5 9.0 | 25.9 78.6 200 19 10 10.9 6.0
5750 27.7 81.9 210 13 7 45.5 25.0 | 26.9 80.4 200 15 8 21.7 11.9
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 Thursday September 17 2026
This forecast is for Thursday, September 17, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 69.5 F/20.8 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 817 ft/min (4.1 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 13874 ft MSL (7416 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 76.0 F/24.9 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................. 10843 ft MSL (4385 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Friday 09/18....... Good
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:48:53 / 19:08:42 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 12 hr 19 min 49 sec (739 min 49 sec)
Altitude of sun at 12:58:48 MDT... 56.41 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 09/17/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 15285 ft MSL (8827 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 11482 ft MSL (5024 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 12471 ft MSL (6013 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... -0.7
K index......................... +27.9
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 -66.8 -88.2 210 9 5 2.4 1.3 74.2 165.6 29.6 M M
45000 -60.6 -77.1 210 19 10 7.1 3.9 61.4 142.5 23.5 M M
40000 -50.0 -58.0 215 22 11 6.7 3.7 55.7 132.2 21.2 M M
38000 -45.5 -49.9 210 22 11 6.7 3.7 52.5 126.5 19.6 M M
36000 -41.4 -42.5 205 22 11 8.4 4.6 50.5 122.8 18.6 M M
34000 -36.4 -33.5 205 23 12 8.4 4.6 49.1 120.4 18.1 M M
32000 -31.4 -24.5 205 24 12 8.3 4.5 48.3 119.0 17.9 M M
30000 -26.6 -15.9 210 27 14 8.0 4.4 46.7 116.1 17.0 M M
29000 -24.3 -11.7 210 29 15 8.1 4.4 46.2 115.1 16.7 M M
28000 -22.0 -7.6 215 30 16 6.8 3.7 45.5 113.9 16.4 M M
27000 -19.9 -3.8 215 30 16 7.0 3.8 44.3 111.8 15.6 M M
26000 -17.9 -0.2 220 30 15 7.0 3.8 43.3 110.0 14.9 M M
25000 -15.8 3.6 220 30 15 6.7 3.7 42.4 108.4 14.3 M M
24000 -13.6 7.5 220 30 15 6.1 3.3 40.7 105.2 13.0 M M
23000 -11.8 10.8 220 30 15 6.1 3.4 39.4 102.9 12.0 M M
22000 -10.1 13.8 220 29 15 5.6 3.1 38.1 100.6 11.0 M M
21000 -8.5 16.7 215 29 15 5.6 3.1 36.6 97.9 9.8 M M
20000 -6.8 19.8 215 28 14 5.7 3.1 35.2 95.4 8.6 M M
19500 -6.0 21.2 215 28 14 5.4 3.0 34.6 94.2 8.1 M M
19000 -5.3 22.5 215 27 14 5.1 2.8 33.8 92.8 7.4 M M
18500 -4.6 23.7 210 27 14 5.1 2.8 33.0 91.4 6.7 M M
18000 -3.8 25.2 210 27 14 5.1 2.8 32.2 90.0 6.0 M M
17500 -3.1 26.4 210 27 14 5.1 2.8 31.4 88.5 5.3 M M
17000 -2.4 27.7 210 28 14 4.9 2.7 30.7 87.2 4.6 M M
16500 -1.7 28.9 210 28 15 4.4 2.4 29.8 85.6 3.8 M M
16000 -1.1 30.0 210 29 15 4.4 2.4 28.9 84.0 3.0 M M
15500 -0.4 31.3 210 30 15 5.4 2.9 28.1 82.6 2.3 M M
15000 0.4 32.7 210 31 16 5.3 2.9 27.4 81.2 1.6 M M
14500 1.1 34.0 210 32 17 5.5 3.0 26.6 80.0 0.9 M M
14000 1.9 35.4 210 33 17 5.7 3.1 26.0 78.7 0.3 M M
13500 2.7 36.9 205 33 17 6.6 3.6 25.3 77.6 -0.4 593 3.0
13000 3.8 38.8 205 33 17 7.3 4.0 24.9 76.9 -0.8 547 2.8
12500 4.9 40.8 205 32 17 7.2 3.9 24.6 76.2 -1.2 500 2.5
12000 5.9 42.6 205 31 16 6.8 3.7 24.1 75.4 -1.6 456 2.3
11500 6.8 44.2 205 29 15 6.7 3.7 23.6 74.6 -2.1 412 2.1
11000 8.2 46.8 205 25 13 6.3 3.4 22.8 73.1 -3.0 349 1.8
10500 9.1 48.4 205 23 12 5.9 3.3 22.3 72.1 -3.5 308 1.6
10250 9.5 49.1 205 21 11 5.7 3.1 22.0 71.6 -3.9 288 1.5
10000 9.9 49.8 205 20 10 5.7 3.1 21.7 71.0 -4.2 269 1.4
9750 10.3 50.5 200 19 10 5.7 3.1 21.4 70.4 -4.6 250 1.3
9500 10.7 51.3 200 18 9 5.7 3.1 21.0 69.9 -4.9 231 1.2
9250 11.0 51.8 200 16 8 5.6 3.1 20.7 69.3 -5.2 211 1.1
9000 11.4 52.5 200 14 7 5.7 3.1 20.4 68.7 -5.6 192 1.0
8750 11.8 53.2 200 12 6 5.2 2.9 20.1 68.2 -5.9 173 0.9
8500 12.1 53.8 200 10 5 4.6 2.5 19.7 67.5 -6.4 157 0.8
8250 12.4 54.3 195 7 4 4.8 2.6 19.3 66.8 -6.8 140 0.7
8000 12.8 55.0 190 5 2 5.0 2.7 19.0 66.1 -7.2 123 0.6
7750 13.1 55.6 170 3 1 4.2 2.3 18.6 65.5 -7.6 106 0.5
7500 13.3 55.9 150 1 1 3.8 2.1 18.1 64.7 -8.1 91 0.5
7250 13.6 56.5 080 1 1 3.5 1.9 17.7 63.9 -8.6 77 0.4
7000 13.8 56.8 040 2 1 5.4 3.0 17.3 63.1 -9.1 62 0.3
6750 14.4 57.9 035 2 1 10.3 5.7 17.1 62.8 -9.3 38 0.2
6500 15.1 59.2 030 2 1 4.6 2.5 17.1 62.8 -9.4 10 0.1
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
09/17/2026 at 0900 MDT | 09/17/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... +52.6 LI... -0.4 | CAPE... +235.8 LI... -2.3
CINH... -28.8 K Index... +28.4 | CINH... -20.9 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 -66.7 -88.1 205 9 5 2.4 1.3 | -67.2 -89.0 200 8 4 2.8 1.5
45000 -60.8 -77.4 220 19 10 6.6 3.6 | -60.8 -77.4 225 14 7 6.6 3.6
40000 -50.0 -58.0 210 25 13 8.0 4.4 | -50.0 -58.0 205 24 12 7.9 4.3
38000 -45.2 -49.4 195 24 12 8.0 4.4 | -45.3 -49.5 195 26 13 7.9 4.3
36000 -40.4 -40.7 185 24 13 7.4 4.1 | -40.6 -41.1 185 28 15 7.8 4.3
34000 -36.0 -32.8 190 23 12 7.4 4.1 | -35.9 -32.6 190 27 14 7.9 4.3
32000 -31.6 -24.9 195 21 11 7.6 4.2 | -31.2 -24.2 190 26 13 7.8 4.3
30000 -27.0 -16.6 205 26 14 7.8 4.3 | -26.6 -15.9 195 25 13 7.7 4.2
29000 -24.7 -12.5 210 29 15 7.8 4.3 | -24.4 -11.9 195 25 13 7.7 4.2
28000 -22.5 -8.5 210 31 16 7.1 3.9 | -22.2 -8.0 200 25 13 6.6 3.6
27000 -20.4 -4.7 210 30 16 7.2 3.9 | -20.2 -4.4 200 26 14 6.7 3.7
26000 -18.3 -0.9 210 30 15 7.2 3.9 | -18.2 -0.8 205 28 14 6.7 3.7
25000 -15.7 3.7 210 28 15 6.5 3.5 | -15.8 3.6 205 29 15 5.9 3.2
24000 -13.8 7.2 210 27 14 6.5 3.6 | -14.1 6.6 210 29 15 5.9 3.2
23000 -11.9 10.6 215 26 14 6.5 3.6 | -12.4 9.7 215 29 15 5.9 3.3
22000 -10.1 13.8 215 26 13 5.5 3.0 | -10.7 12.7 215 29 15 5.2 2.9
21000 -8.5 16.7 215 26 13 5.5 3.0 | -9.2 15.4 215 29 15 5.3 2.9
20000 -6.9 19.6 215 26 14 5.5 3.0 | -7.6 18.3 220 29 15 5.3 2.9
19500 -6.1 21.0 215 26 14 5.5 3.0 | -6.9 19.6 220 29 15 5.5 3.0
19000 -5.3 22.5 215 27 14 5.4 3.0 | -6.0 21.2 220 30 15 5.7 3.1
18500 -4.5 23.9 215 27 14 5.5 3.0 | -5.2 22.6 220 30 15 5.7 3.1
18000 -3.8 25.2 215 27 14 4.9 2.7 | -4.4 24.1 220 31 16 6.1 3.4
17500 -3.1 26.4 215 27 14 4.9 2.7 | -3.5 25.7 215 31 16 6.1 3.4
17000 -2.4 27.7 220 27 14 4.8 2.6 | -2.6 27.3 215 32 16 6.2 3.4
16500 -1.7 28.9 220 27 14 4.6 2.5 | -1.7 28.9 215 32 16 6.3 3.5
16000 -1.0 30.2 220 27 14 4.6 2.5 | -0.8 30.6 215 32 16 6.3 3.5
15500 -0.4 31.3 220 27 14 4.3 2.4 | 0.2 32.4 210 32 16 6.8 3.7
15000 0.2 32.4 220 27 14 4.2 2.3 | 1.1 34.0 210 31 16 6.7 3.7
14500 0.9 33.6 220 27 14 6.0 3.3 | 2.2 36.0 210 31 16 7.8 4.3
14000 1.8 35.2 225 28 14 6.3 3.4 | 3.3 37.9 215 30 16 7.9 4.3
13500 2.7 36.9 225 28 15 6.8 3.7 | 4.4 39.9 210 30 16 7.6 4.2
13000 3.8 38.8 225 29 15 7.1 3.9 | 5.5 41.9 210 31 16 7.5 4.1
12500 4.8 40.6 225 29 15 7.2 3.9 | 6.6 43.9 210 31 16 7.3 4.0
12000 5.8 42.4 220 28 15 7.3 4.0 | 7.6 45.7 210 30 15 7.0 3.8
11500 6.9 44.4 215 28 14 6.8 3.7 | 8.6 47.5 205 29 15 6.4 3.5
11000 7.8 46.0 210 27 14 6.6 3.6 | 9.5 49.1 205 25 13 6.7 3.7
10500 9.1 48.4 205 24 12 5.4 3.0 | 10.9 51.6 200 21 11 6.3 3.4
10250 9.5 49.1 200 23 12 6.0 3.3 | 11.3 52.3 195 19 10 6.3 3.5
10000 9.9 49.8 200 22 11 6.3 3.5 | 11.7 53.1 195 18 9 6.5 3.6
9750 10.3 50.5 195 21 11 5.8 3.2 | 12.2 54.0 190 16 8 6.0 3.3
9500 10.7 51.3 195 20 10 5.4 2.9 | 12.5 54.5 185 15 7 5.0 2.8
9250 11.1 52.0 190 19 10 5.3 2.9 | 12.9 55.2 180 13 7 6.3 3.5
9000 11.4 52.5 190 17 9 5.2 2.8 | 13.4 56.1 175 12 6 7.3 4.0
8750 11.8 53.2 185 16 8 4.8 2.6 | 13.9 57.0 170 11 6 8.0 4.4
8500 12.1 53.8 180 14 7 4.2 2.3 | 14.5 58.1 165 11 6 8.8 4.8
8250 12.4 54.3 175 13 7 4.8 2.6 | 15.1 59.2 165 11 6 8.7 4.8
8000 12.7 54.9 170 11 6 5.5 3.0 | 15.8 60.4 160 11 6 9.2 5.1
7750 13.1 55.6 160 9 5 4.5 2.5 | 16.5 61.7 160 10 5 9.9 5.4
7500 13.3 55.9 155 8 4 3.7 2.0 | 17.3 63.1 160 10 5 10.5 5.8
7250 13.6 56.5 140 7 3 3.7 2.0 | 18.0 64.4 155 10 5 9.2 5.1
7000 13.9 57.0 125 6 3 6.1 3.3 | 18.7 65.7 155 10 5 12.3 6.8
6750 14.5 58.1 115 5 3 10.9 6.0 | 20.0 68.0 155 9 5 22.2 12.2
6500 15.1 59.2 105 4 2 2.1 1.1 | 21.5 70.7 155 8 4 12.6 6.9
09/17/2026 at 1500 MDT | 09/17/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +534.9 LI... -3.2 | CAPE... +473.0 LI... -2.3
CINH... 0.0 K Index... +30.5 | CINH... -17.1 K Index... +31.5
|
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 -66.6 -87.9 195 10 5 2.8 1.5 | -66.4 -87.5 220 7 4 2.7 1.5
45000 -60.5 -76.9 225 15 8 6.2 3.4 | -60.4 -76.7 235 13 7 6.2 3.4
40000 -50.8 -59.4 215 27 14 7.9 4.3 | -50.1 -58.2 225 26 13 7.8 4.3
38000 -45.5 -49.9 210 27 14 7.9 4.3 | -45.4 -49.7 220 25 13 7.8 4.3
36000 -40.8 -41.4 210 27 14 8.0 4.4 | -40.7 -41.3 210 25 13 8.2 4.5
34000 -36.0 -32.8 200 26 13 8.0 4.4 | -35.8 -32.4 210 24 12 8.2 4.5
32000 -31.3 -24.3 195 25 13 7.8 4.3 | -30.9 -23.6 210 22 11 7.8 4.3
30000 -26.8 -16.2 200 24 13 7.6 4.2 | -26.6 -15.9 205 21 11 7.3 4.0
29000 -24.5 -12.1 200 24 12 7.7 4.2 | -24.4 -11.9 200 21 11 7.3 4.0
28000 -22.3 -8.1 205 24 12 6.7 3.7 | -22.3 -8.1 200 21 11 7.2 4.0
27000 -20.3 -4.5 210 25 13 6.8 3.7 | -20.2 -4.4 200 22 11 7.2 4.0
26000 -18.3 -0.9 210 26 13 6.8 3.7 | -17.5 0.5 195 24 12 7.3 4.0
25000 -15.8 3.6 215 27 14 6.3 3.4 | -15.4 4.3 200 25 13 6.4 3.5
24000 -14.0 6.8 215 28 14 6.3 3.5 | -13.5 7.7 205 25 13 6.4 3.5
23000 -12.1 10.2 215 29 15 6.4 3.5 | -11.6 11.1 210 25 13 6.4 3.5
22000 -10.4 13.3 215 30 15 5.0 2.8 | -9.7 14.5 215 25 13 5.3 2.9
21000 -8.9 16.0 215 30 15 5.1 2.8 | -8.2 17.2 215 23 12 5.4 3.0
20000 -7.4 18.7 215 30 16 5.1 2.8 | -6.6 20.1 215 22 11 5.4 3.0
19500 -6.6 20.1 215 30 16 5.3 2.9 | -5.9 21.4 220 21 11 4.7 2.6
19000 -5.8 21.6 215 31 16 5.5 3.0 | -5.4 22.3 220 22 12 3.7 2.0
18500 -5.1 22.8 215 31 16 5.4 3.0 | -4.9 23.2 220 24 12 3.6 2.0
18000 -4.2 24.4 215 31 16 6.2 3.4 | -4.3 24.3 215 25 13 4.9 2.7
17500 -3.4 25.9 215 31 16 6.2 3.4 | -3.6 25.5 215 26 13 5.0 2.7
17000 -2.5 27.5 210 31 16 6.4 3.5 | -3.0 26.6 215 27 14 5.7 3.1
16500 -1.6 29.1 210 31 16 6.7 3.7 | -2.1 28.2 215 27 14 6.8 3.7
16000 -0.6 30.9 210 31 16 6.7 3.7 | -1.1 30.0 210 27 14 6.7 3.7
15500 0.3 32.5 210 30 15 7.0 3.8 | -0.0 32.0 210 27 14 8.3 4.5
15000 1.3 34.3 210 29 15 7.0 3.9 | 1.1 34.0 205 27 14 8.2 4.5
14500 2.2 36.0 205 28 14 6.5 3.6 | 2.2 36.0 205 27 14 8.0 4.4
14000 3.1 37.6 205 26 13 6.5 3.5 | 3.4 38.1 205 26 13 8.1 4.4
13500 4.0 39.2 200 24 12 7.4 4.0 | 4.5 40.1 205 25 13 8.5 4.7
13000 5.1 41.2 200 23 12 7.9 4.3 | 5.8 42.4 205 25 13 8.8 4.8
12500 6.2 43.2 200 23 12 8.3 4.5 | 7.1 44.8 205 24 12 9.1 5.0
12000 7.5 45.5 200 22 11 8.7 4.8 | 8.4 47.1 210 24 12 9.5 5.2
11500 8.7 47.7 195 21 11 9.2 5.0 | 10.5 50.9 210 23 12 9.2 5.0
11000 10.1 50.2 195 21 11 9.1 5.0 | 11.9 53.4 210 22 11 9.0 4.9
10500 12.2 54.0 195 20 10 10.2 5.6 | 13.4 56.1 210 22 11 10.6 5.8
10250 12.9 55.2 195 20 10 9.1 5.0 | 14.1 57.4 210 21 11 8.5 4.7
10000 13.6 56.5 195 19 10 9.2 5.0 | 14.8 58.6 210 21 11 8.7 4.8
9750 14.3 57.7 195 19 10 9.3 5.1 | 15.4 59.7 210 20 11 9.2 5.0
9500 15.0 59.0 195 19 10 9.5 5.2 | 16.1 61.0 210 20 10 10.3 5.7
9250 15.7 60.3 195 18 9 9.6 5.3 | 16.9 62.4 210 20 10 9.1 5.0
9000 16.4 61.5 190 18 9 9.6 5.3 | 17.5 63.5 210 19 10 7.8 4.3
8750 17.1 62.8 190 18 9 9.6 5.3 | 18.1 64.6 210 18 9 8.6 4.7
8500 17.8 64.0 190 17 9 9.5 5.2 | 18.7 65.7 210 18 9 9.5 5.2
8250 18.5 65.3 190 17 9 9.7 5.3 | 19.4 66.9 210 17 9 8.6 4.7
8000 19.3 66.7 190 17 9 10.1 5.6 | 20.0 68.0 205 16 8 5.9 3.3
7750 20.0 68.0 190 16 8 10.1 5.5 | 20.4 68.7 205 14 7 7.4 4.1
7500 20.8 69.4 190 16 8 10.2 5.6 | 21.0 69.8 200 13 7 9.6 5.2
7250 21.5 70.7 190 15 8 9.6 5.3 | 21.7 71.1 200 12 6 8.8 4.9
7000 22.3 72.1 190 15 7 12.0 6.6 | 22.3 72.1 195 11 6 6.7 3.7
6750 23.4 74.1 190 13 7 19.3 10.6 | 22.6 72.7 195 9 5 4.6 2.5
6500 24.8 76.6 190 12 6 17.8 9.8 | 23.2 73.8 185 6 3 18.5 10.2
________________________________________________________________________________
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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