Soaring Forecast for Moriarty NM
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
0708 MDT Friday April 3 2026
This forecast is for Friday, April 3, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 56.5 F/13.6 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Fair
Maximum rate of lift........................ 426 ft/min (2.2 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 12302 ft MSL (5973 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 64.0 F/18.2 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1045 MDT
Time of overdevelopment........................ None
Middle/high clouds during soaring window....... None
Surface winds during soaring window............ Between 20 mph and 30 mph
Height of the -3 thermal index................. 10842 ft MSL (4513 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Saturday 04/04..... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:47:31 / 19:26:49 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 12 hr 39 min 18 sec (759 min 18 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:07:10 MDT... 60.51 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 04/03/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 12044 ft MSL (5715 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 18533 ft MSL (12204 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 15855 ft MSL (9526 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... +4.7
K index......................... -13.1
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 -62.9 -81.2 265 55 28 3.7 2.0 86.3 187.4 40.1 M M
45000 -57.7 -71.9 265 56 29 0.7 0.4 72.3 162.1 34.0 M M
40000 -56.7 -70.1 255 49 25 0.7 0.4 51.2 124.1 22.3 M M
38000 -54.8 -66.6 260 50 26 4.2 2.3 45.1 113.2 18.8 M M
36000 -52.0 -61.6 260 53 27 4.2 2.3 39.7 103.5 15.5 M M
34000 -48.6 -55.5 265 52 27 7.7 4.2 36.4 97.6 13.5 M M
32000 -44.0 -47.2 265 47 24 7.7 4.2 34.7 94.5 12.6 M M
30000 -39.2 -38.6 265 44 23 8.3 4.6 33.3 92.0 11.9 M M
29000 -36.7 -34.1 265 44 23 8.3 4.6 32.7 90.9 11.5 M M
28000 -34.2 -29.6 265 44 22 8.3 4.6 32.3 90.1 11.3 M M
27000 -31.7 -25.1 260 43 22 8.1 4.4 31.8 89.2 11.1 M M
26000 -29.3 -20.7 260 43 22 8.1 4.5 31.1 87.9 10.6 M M
25000 -26.8 -16.2 255 43 22 8.1 4.5 30.5 86.9 10.3 M M
24000 -24.4 -11.9 255 43 22 7.5 4.1 30.0 86.0 10.0 M M
23000 -22.3 -8.1 250 44 23 7.3 4.0 29.0 84.1 9.3 M M
22000 -20.1 -4.2 245 46 23 7.3 4.0 28.1 82.6 8.6 M M
21000 -17.9 -0.2 240 47 24 7.7 4.2 27.3 81.2 8.0 M M
20000 -15.0 5.0 240 49 25 7.7 4.2 26.4 79.4 7.3 M M
19500 -13.9 7.0 240 50 26 7.7 4.2 26.0 78.8 7.0 M M
19000 -12.7 9.1 240 51 26 7.7 4.2 25.7 78.3 6.8 M M
18500 -11.6 11.1 240 52 27 7.7 4.2 25.4 77.7 6.5 M M
18000 -10.4 13.3 240 52 27 7.7 4.2 25.0 77.0 6.3 M M
17500 -9.2 15.4 240 52 27 7.6 4.1 24.7 76.4 6.0 M M
17000 -8.1 17.4 240 52 27 7.5 4.1 24.3 75.7 5.7 M M
16500 -7.0 19.4 245 52 27 7.3 4.0 23.9 75.1 5.4 M M
16000 -6.0 21.2 245 51 26 6.5 3.6 23.4 74.2 5.0 M M
15500 -5.0 23.0 250 51 26 6.7 3.7 22.9 73.2 4.5 M M
15000 -4.1 24.6 250 50 26 5.5 3.0 22.3 72.1 4.0 M M
14500 -3.2 26.2 255 48 25 5.5 3.0 21.6 70.9 3.4 M M
14000 -2.4 27.7 255 47 24 5.0 2.7 20.9 69.6 2.8 M M
13500 -1.7 28.9 260 46 24 4.7 2.6 20.1 68.1 2.1 M M
13000 -0.9 30.4 260 45 23 4.1 2.2 19.3 66.7 1.3 M M
12500 -0.5 31.1 265 44 23 3.4 1.9 18.3 64.9 0.4 M M
12000 0.0 32.0 270 43 22 3.2 1.8 17.2 63.0 -0.6 408 2.1
11500 0.5 32.9 275 42 22 2.9 1.6 16.2 61.1 -1.7 381 1.9
11000 0.9 33.6 280 41 21 4.1 2.2 15.2 59.3 -2.7 352 1.8
10500 1.4 34.5 285 39 20 4.1 2.2 14.3 57.7 -3.6 322 1.6
10250 1.7 35.1 285 38 20 3.9 2.1 13.8 56.9 -4.1 306 1.6
10000 2.0 35.6 290 38 19 4.9 2.7 13.4 56.1 -4.6 291 1.5
9750 2.4 36.3 290 37 19 6.1 3.3 13.1 55.5 -4.9 272 1.4
9500 2.8 37.0 290 36 18 5.9 3.2 12.8 55.0 -5.3 252 1.3
9250 3.2 37.8 290 34 18 6.2 3.4 12.5 54.4 -5.6 232 1.2
9000 3.7 38.7 290 33 17 8.6 4.7 12.3 54.1 -5.9 210 1.1
8750 4.4 39.9 295 32 17 8.7 4.8 12.2 54.0 -5.9 182 0.9
8500 4.9 40.8 295 31 16 7.1 3.9 12.1 53.7 -6.2 159 0.8
8250 5.4 41.7 295 30 16 7.9 4.3 11.9 53.4 -6.4 135 0.7
8000 6.0 42.8 295 29 15 8.5 4.7 11.8 53.2 -6.5 110 0.6
7750 6.6 43.9 295 28 14 7.0 3.8 11.7 53.0 -6.7 85 0.4
7500 7.0 44.6 290 27 14 6.2 3.4 11.4 52.5 -7.0 65 0.3
7250 7.5 45.5 290 25 13 5.0 2.8 11.1 52.0 -7.3 44 0.2
7000 7.8 46.0 290 23 12 3.4 1.9 10.6 51.2 -7.8 29 0.1
6750 8.0 46.4 290 20 11 2.2 1.2 10.2 50.3 -8.3 15 0.1
6500 7.9 46.2 290 17 9 -3.3 -1.8 9.4 48.9 -9.1 8 0.0
6250 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
04/03/2026 at 0900 MDT | 04/03/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +5.5 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +7.0
CINH... 0.0 K Index... -22.5 | CINH... -0.1 K Index... -18.1
|
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 -62.5 -80.5 270 56 29 3.6 2.0 | -61.4 -78.5 265 53 27 2.7 1.5
45000 -57.5 -71.5 260 55 29 -0.0 -0.0 | -57.8 -72.0 255 59 30 -1.7 -0.9
40000 -57.4 -71.3 260 47 24 0.1 0.1 | -59.9 -75.8 265 58 30 -1.2 -0.6
38000 -55.5 -67.9 260 45 23 4.5 2.5 | -57.2 -71.0 265 57 29 6.4 3.5
36000 -52.5 -62.5 265 44 22 4.5 2.5 | -53.3 -63.9 265 56 29 6.4 3.5
34000 -48.9 -56.0 265 43 22 8.0 4.4 | -49.1 -56.4 260 55 28 8.1 4.4
32000 -44.1 -47.4 260 43 22 7.9 4.4 | -44.3 -47.7 260 53 28 8.1 4.4
30000 -39.3 -38.7 260 44 23 8.2 4.5 | -38.8 -37.8 255 53 27 8.1 4.4
29000 -36.8 -34.2 260 45 23 8.2 4.5 | -36.4 -33.5 255 53 28 8.1 4.4
28000 -34.3 -29.7 260 46 24 8.2 4.5 | -34.0 -29.2 255 54 28 8.1 4.4
27000 -31.9 -25.4 260 47 24 8.5 4.7 | -31.5 -24.7 255 54 28 8.5 4.7
26000 -29.3 -20.7 255 48 25 8.5 4.7 | -29.0 -20.2 255 55 28 8.5 4.7
25000 -26.8 -16.2 255 50 25 8.5 4.7 | -26.5 -15.7 255 55 28 8.5 4.7
24000 -24.2 -11.6 255 50 26 8.0 4.4 | -24.0 -11.2 250 56 29 7.9 4.3
23000 -21.9 -7.4 250 50 26 7.9 4.3 | -21.6 -6.9 250 55 28 7.9 4.4
22000 -19.5 -3.1 250 50 26 7.9 4.3 | -19.2 -2.6 250 55 28 7.9 4.4
21000 -17.2 1.0 245 49 25 6.6 3.6 | -17.0 1.4 250 53 28 6.2 3.4
20000 -14.7 5.5 245 49 25 6.8 3.7 | -15.1 4.8 255 51 26 6.4 3.5
19500 -13.7 7.3 245 50 25 6.8 3.7 | -14.1 6.6 255 50 26 6.4 3.5
19000 -12.7 9.1 245 50 26 6.8 3.7 | -13.2 8.2 255 49 25 6.4 3.5
18500 -11.6 11.1 245 49 25 7.1 3.9 | -12.3 9.9 260 48 25 6.2 3.4
18000 -10.6 12.9 245 49 25 7.1 3.9 | -11.3 11.7 260 46 24 6.2 3.4
17500 -9.5 14.9 250 49 25 7.0 3.8 | -10.4 13.3 260 45 23 6.3 3.4
17000 -8.5 16.7 250 49 25 6.9 3.8 | -9.0 15.8 265 43 22 6.4 3.5
16500 -7.4 18.7 250 49 25 6.9 3.8 | -8.0 17.6 265 42 22 6.5 3.6
16000 -6.4 20.5 255 48 25 6.8 3.7 | -7.0 19.4 265 42 22 6.7 3.7
15500 -5.4 22.3 255 48 25 6.8 3.8 | -6.0 21.2 265 42 21 6.7 3.7
15000 -4.4 24.1 260 47 24 6.5 3.6 | -5.1 22.8 265 41 21 5.6 3.1
14500 -3.4 25.9 260 47 24 6.6 3.6 | -4.3 24.3 270 41 21 5.7 3.1
14000 -2.4 27.7 265 47 24 6.5 3.6 | -3.4 25.9 270 41 21 5.6 3.1
13500 -1.4 29.5 265 46 24 6.5 3.5 | -2.6 27.3 270 40 21 5.6 3.1
13000 -0.5 31.1 265 45 23 5.9 3.2 | -1.8 28.8 270 39 20 4.2 2.3
12500 0.3 32.5 270 45 23 5.5 3.0 | -1.3 29.7 270 38 20 3.9 2.2
12000 1.2 34.2 270 44 23 4.5 2.5 | -0.8 30.6 270 36 19 0.4 0.2
11500 1.7 35.1 275 42 22 3.7 2.0 | -1.1 30.0 275 31 16 -0.7 -0.4
11000 2.1 35.8 275 41 21 0.8 0.5 | -1.2 29.8 280 27 14 4.8 2.6
10500 1.9 35.4 280 38 20 0.2 0.1 | -0.1 31.8 280 25 13 7.4 4.1
10250 1.9 35.4 280 37 19 -0.4 -0.2 | 0.4 32.7 285 25 13 7.8 4.3
10000 1.8 35.2 280 36 19 0.0 0.0 | 1.0 33.8 285 24 12 8.5 4.7
9750 1.8 35.2 285 34 18 1.1 0.6 | 1.7 35.1 285 24 12 9.1 5.0
9500 1.8 35.2 285 32 17 0.6 0.3 | 2.4 36.3 285 24 12 8.8 4.8
9250 1.8 35.2 290 30 16 2.1 1.1 | 3.0 37.4 285 24 12 9.5 5.2
9000 2.1 35.8 290 29 15 7.9 4.3 | 3.8 38.8 285 23 12 9.7 5.3
8750 2.8 37.0 295 28 14 9.5 5.2 | 4.4 39.9 290 23 12 9.1 5.0
8500 3.4 38.1 295 28 14 7.5 4.1 | 5.1 41.2 290 23 12 8.8 4.8
8250 4.0 39.2 295 27 14 8.6 4.7 | 5.8 42.4 290 23 12 9.6 5.3
8000 4.7 40.5 295 26 14 9.5 5.2 | 6.5 43.7 290 23 12 10.4 5.7
7750 5.4 41.7 295 26 13 9.3 5.1 | 7.3 45.1 290 23 12 10.0 5.5
7500 6.0 42.8 295 26 13 8.8 4.8 | 8.0 46.4 290 23 12 10.0 5.5
7250 6.7 44.1 295 25 13 9.8 5.4 | 8.8 47.8 290 23 12 10.7 5.9
7000 7.5 45.5 295 24 12 10.9 6.0 | 9.6 49.3 290 22 11 11.7 6.4
6750 8.3 46.9 300 23 12 9.9 5.4 | 10.5 50.9 290 22 11 9.9 5.4
6500 9.1 48.4 300 22 11 12.2 6.7 | 11.3 52.3 290 21 11 16.2 8.9
6250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
04/03/2026 at 1500 MDT | 04/03/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +7.2 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +6.9
CINH... -0.6 K Index... -16.6 | CINH... -0.2 K Index... -21.5
|
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 -60.4 -76.7 270 49 25 2.7 1.5 | -60.4 -76.7 275 47 24 3.4 1.9
45000 -56.8 -70.2 260 64 33 -1.3 -0.7 | -55.8 -68.4 270 63 33 -1.2 -0.7
40000 -59.0 -74.2 260 61 31 -1.2 -0.7 | -57.9 -72.2 265 66 34 -1.2 -0.7
38000 -56.7 -70.1 255 58 30 5.7 3.1 | -55.9 -68.6 265 64 33 4.9 2.7
36000 -53.4 -64.1 255 55 28 5.7 3.1 | -53.0 -63.4 265 62 32 4.9 2.7
34000 -49.4 -56.9 255 54 28 8.4 4.6 | -49.3 -56.7 260 60 31 8.1 4.4
32000 -43.7 -46.7 255 56 29 8.4 4.6 | -43.9 -47.0 260 59 30 8.1 4.4
30000 -38.8 -37.8 255 58 30 7.9 4.4 | -38.9 -38.0 265 59 30 8.6 4.7
29000 -36.4 -33.5 255 58 30 7.9 4.4 | -36.3 -33.3 265 59 30 8.6 4.7
28000 -34.1 -29.4 260 58 30 7.9 4.4 | -33.8 -28.8 265 59 31 8.6 4.7
27000 -31.6 -24.9 260 59 30 8.4 4.6 | -31.3 -24.3 265 59 31 7.6 4.2
26000 -29.1 -20.4 260 59 30 8.4 4.6 | -29.0 -20.2 265 59 31 7.7 4.2
25000 -26.6 -15.9 260 59 30 8.4 4.6 | -26.7 -16.1 265 59 30 7.7 4.2
24000 -24.1 -11.4 260 59 30 7.3 4.0 | -24.5 -12.1 265 58 30 6.4 3.5
23000 -22.0 -7.6 260 57 29 7.3 4.0 | -22.6 -8.7 270 54 28 6.3 3.5
22000 -19.8 -3.6 260 54 28 7.3 4.0 | -20.7 -5.3 270 50 26 6.3 3.5
21000 -17.7 0.1 265 52 27 6.1 3.4 | -18.7 -1.7 275 47 24 7.2 3.9
20000 -15.8 3.6 265 49 25 6.2 3.4 | -16.6 2.1 275 46 24 7.1 3.9
19500 -14.9 5.2 265 48 25 6.2 3.4 | -15.5 4.1 275 45 23 7.1 3.9
19000 -14.0 6.8 265 47 24 6.2 3.4 | -14.5 5.9 280 45 23 7.0 3.9
18500 -13.0 8.6 270 46 24 6.5 3.6 | -12.8 9.0 280 45 23 7.7 4.2
18000 -12.1 10.2 270 46 24 6.6 3.6 | -11.7 10.9 280 45 23 7.7 4.2
17500 -10.6 12.9 270 45 23 6.8 3.7 | -10.6 12.9 280 45 23 7.3 4.0
17000 -9.5 14.9 270 46 23 6.9 3.8 | -9.5 14.9 280 45 23 7.2 4.0
16500 -8.5 16.7 275 46 24 6.7 3.7 | -8.4 16.9 280 46 23 7.1 3.9
16000 -7.6 18.3 275 46 24 6.4 3.5 | -7.4 18.7 275 46 24 6.8 3.7
15500 -6.6 20.1 275 46 24 6.4 3.5 | -6.4 20.5 275 46 24 6.8 3.7
15000 -5.9 21.4 270 45 23 3.3 1.8 | -5.6 21.9 270 45 23 3.6 2.0
14500 -5.4 22.3 270 43 22 3.9 2.1 | -5.1 22.8 265 44 22 4.2 2.3
14000 -5.1 22.8 265 40 21 0.7 0.4 | -4.7 23.5 265 42 22 1.5 0.8
13500 -5.1 22.8 265 36 18 0.7 0.4 | -4.5 23.9 260 39 20 1.5 0.8
13000 -4.9 23.2 265 31 16 3.3 1.8 | -4.3 24.3 260 37 19 3.1 1.7
12500 -4.4 24.1 270 27 14 3.8 2.1 | -3.8 25.2 260 33 17 3.5 1.9
12000 -3.7 25.3 275 24 12 7.8 4.3 | -3.2 26.2 265 29 15 4.6 2.5
11500 -2.3 27.9 275 23 12 9.2 5.1 | -2.5 27.5 270 25 13 4.9 2.7
11000 -0.9 30.4 275 23 12 9.0 4.9 | -1.7 28.9 280 22 11 6.6 3.6
10500 0.4 32.7 280 23 12 9.0 5.0 | -0.6 30.9 290 21 11 7.0 3.8
10250 1.1 34.0 280 23 12 9.3 5.1 | -0.0 32.0 295 21 11 7.6 4.2
10000 1.8 35.2 280 23 12 9.5 5.2 | 0.6 33.1 295 21 11 9.1 5.0
9750 2.5 36.5 280 23 12 9.5 5.2 | 1.3 34.3 300 21 11 9.7 5.3
9500 3.2 37.8 285 23 12 9.3 5.1 | 2.0 35.6 300 21 11 9.4 5.1
9250 3.9 39.0 285 23 12 10.0 5.5 | 2.7 36.9 300 21 11 10.0 5.5
9000 4.7 40.5 285 23 12 10.1 5.6 | 3.5 38.3 305 21 11 10.1 5.6
8750 5.4 41.7 290 23 12 9.3 5.1 | 4.2 39.6 305 21 11 9.2 5.1
8500 6.1 43.0 290 23 12 9.1 5.0 | 4.9 40.8 305 21 11 8.9 4.9
8250 6.8 44.2 290 23 12 9.6 5.3 | 5.6 42.1 310 22 11 9.5 5.2
8000 7.5 45.5 290 23 12 10.0 5.5 | 6.3 43.3 310 22 11 9.8 5.4
7750 8.3 46.9 295 23 12 9.7 5.3 | 7.0 44.6 310 22 11 9.2 5.0
7500 9.0 48.2 295 23 12 9.8 5.4 | 7.7 45.9 310 22 11 9.1 5.0
7250 9.8 49.6 295 23 12 10.8 5.9 | 8.4 47.1 315 22 11 9.9 5.4
7000 10.6 51.1 295 22 11 11.8 6.5 | 9.2 48.6 315 22 11 10.3 5.7
6750 11.5 52.7 295 22 11 10.4 5.7 | 9.9 49.8 315 22 11 9.8 5.4
6500 12.4 54.3 300 21 11 16.6 9.1 | 10.7 51.3 320 21 11 12.1 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
0707 MDT Friday April 3 2026
This forecast is for Friday, April 3, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 57.2 F/14.0 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Fair
Maximum rate of lift........................ 500 ft/min (2.5 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 12596 ft MSL (6921 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 66.0 F/19.3 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1115 MDT
Time of overdevelopment........................ None
Middle/high clouds during soaring window....... None
Surface winds during soaring window............ Between 20 mph and 30 mph
Height of the -3 thermal index................. 11114 ft MSL (5440 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Saturday 04/04..... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:49:58 / 19:29:20 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 12 hr 39 min 23 sec (759 min 23 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:09:39 MDT... 60.41 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 04/03/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 10777 ft MSL (5102 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 17509 ft MSL (11834 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 15228 ft MSL (9553 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... +4.7
K index......................... -10.9
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 -61.7 -79.1 265 50 26 4.1 2.2 91.1 196.0 41.9 M M
45000 -56.1 -69.0 270 57 29 -0.7 -0.4 77.7 171.9 36.4 M M
40000 -56.8 -70.2 265 57 29 -0.3 -0.1 52.8 127.0 22.5 M M
38000 -55.1 -67.2 265 57 29 3.9 2.1 46.4 115.5 18.8 M M
36000 -52.8 -63.0 265 56 29 3.9 2.1 41.3 106.4 15.7 M M
34000 -49.5 -57.1 260 54 28 7.9 4.4 37.8 100.1 13.6 M M
32000 -44.8 -48.6 265 51 26 7.9 4.3 36.2 97.2 12.8 M M
30000 -39.9 -39.8 265 49 25 8.4 4.6 35.0 94.9 12.2 M M
29000 -37.4 -35.3 265 49 25 8.4 4.6 34.4 93.9 11.9 M M
28000 -34.9 -30.8 265 50 26 8.4 4.6 33.9 93.0 11.6 M M
27000 -32.4 -26.3 260 50 26 8.4 4.6 33.5 92.2 11.4 M M
26000 -29.9 -21.8 260 49 25 8.4 4.6 32.8 91.1 11.1 M M
25000 -27.4 -17.3 255 49 25 8.4 4.6 32.3 90.2 10.8 M M
24000 -24.4 -11.9 250 48 25 6.6 3.6 31.6 89.0 10.4 M M
23000 -22.3 -8.1 250 49 25 6.8 3.7 30.5 86.9 9.6 M M
22000 -20.3 -4.5 245 50 26 6.8 3.7 29.5 85.0 8.8 M M
21000 -18.2 -0.8 245 50 26 7.3 4.0 28.5 83.3 8.1 M M
20000 -16.0 3.2 245 50 26 7.3 4.0 27.6 81.6 7.4 M M
19500 -15.0 5.0 245 50 26 7.3 4.0 27.2 80.9 7.0 M M
19000 -13.9 7.0 245 50 26 7.3 4.0 26.8 80.2 6.7 M M
18500 -12.8 9.0 245 50 26 7.2 4.0 26.4 79.5 6.4 M M
18000 -11.7 10.9 245 49 25 7.2 4.0 25.9 78.7 6.1 M M
17500 -10.6 12.9 245 48 25 7.0 3.8 25.5 77.9 5.7 M M
17000 -9.6 14.7 250 47 24 6.7 3.7 25.0 77.0 5.3 M M
16500 -8.6 16.5 250 46 24 6.7 3.7 24.5 76.0 4.9 M M
16000 -7.6 18.3 250 45 23 6.5 3.6 23.9 75.1 4.4 M M
15500 -6.6 20.1 255 44 22 6.5 3.6 23.4 74.1 4.0 M M
15000 -5.7 21.7 255 42 22 6.3 3.5 22.8 73.1 3.5 M M
14500 -4.7 23.5 255 41 21 6.2 3.4 22.3 72.1 3.0 M M
14000 -3.8 25.2 260 40 20 5.4 2.9 21.7 71.0 2.5 M M
13500 -3.1 26.4 260 38 20 4.6 2.5 20.8 69.5 1.7 M M
13000 -2.4 27.7 265 37 19 4.0 2.2 20.0 68.0 1.0 M M
12500 -2.0 28.4 270 36 18 3.0 1.6 18.9 66.1 -0.1 498 2.5
12000 -1.6 29.1 270 34 18 3.2 1.8 17.8 64.1 -1.1 471 2.4
11500 -1.1 30.0 275 32 17 4.0 2.2 16.9 62.4 -2.1 441 2.2
11000 -0.5 31.1 280 30 16 4.8 2.6 16.0 60.7 -3.0 411 2.1
10500 0.4 32.7 285 29 15 6.8 3.7 15.4 59.8 -3.6 369 1.9
10250 0.8 33.4 290 28 15 5.4 3.0 15.1 59.3 -3.9 349 1.8
10000 1.2 34.2 290 28 14 6.0 3.3 14.8 58.6 -4.3 330 1.7
9750 1.7 35.1 295 28 14 7.4 4.1 14.6 58.2 -4.6 308 1.6
9500 2.2 36.0 295 27 14 7.5 4.1 14.4 57.9 -4.8 284 1.4
9250 2.7 36.9 295 26 14 7.5 4.1 14.2 57.6 -5.0 261 1.3
9000 3.3 37.9 300 26 13 7.8 4.3 14.1 57.3 -5.1 237 1.2
8750 4.5 40.1 300 24 12 7.9 4.4 13.8 56.8 -5.5 187 0.9
8500 5.1 41.2 300 23 12 8.3 4.6 13.7 56.6 -5.6 162 0.8
8250 5.7 42.3 300 22 12 8.4 4.6 13.6 56.4 -5.8 136 0.7
8000 6.3 43.3 295 21 11 8.1 4.5 13.4 56.2 -5.9 111 0.6
7750 6.9 44.4 295 20 10 8.2 4.5 13.3 56.0 -6.1 85 0.4
7500 7.5 45.5 295 19 10 8.2 4.5 13.2 55.8 -6.2 60 0.3
7250 8.0 46.4 295 19 10 7.4 4.1 13.1 55.5 -6.4 35 0.2
7000 8.6 47.5 295 18 9 6.9 3.8 12.9 55.1 -6.6 13 0.1
6750 9.1 48.4 290 16 8 6.9 3.8 12.7 54.8 -6.8 M M
6500 9.5 49.1 290 15 8 5.6 3.1 12.4 54.3 -7.1 M M
6250 9.8 49.6 285 15 7 0.9 0.5 11.9 53.5 -7.6 M M
6000 9.6 49.3 280 11 6 -4.2 -2.3 11.1 51.9 -8.5 M M
5750 9.5 49.1 275 8 4 4.2 2.3 10.2 50.3 -9.4 M M
5500 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
04/03/2026 at 0900 MDT | 04/03/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +7.0 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +8.3
CINH... 0.0 K Index... -17.6 | CINH... -0.1 K Index... -18.2
|
Height Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate | Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft | deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -61.7 -79.1 265 50 26 4.0 2.2 | -61.3 -78.3 265 51 26 2.6 1.4
45000 -56.2 -69.2 265 53 27 -1.2 -0.6 | -57.8 -72.0 260 57 29 -1.8 -1.0
40000 -57.6 -71.7 270 54 28 -0.8 -0.4 | -60.2 -76.4 270 57 29 -1.6 -0.9
38000 -55.5 -67.9 270 53 27 4.8 2.6 | -57.1 -70.8 265 56 29 7.0 3.8
36000 -52.7 -62.9 265 51 26 4.8 2.6 | -52.9 -63.2 265 56 29 7.0 3.8
34000 -49.0 -56.2 265 51 26 7.9 4.4 | -48.4 -55.1 265 55 28 7.9 4.3
32000 -44.3 -47.7 260 51 26 7.9 4.3 | -43.7 -46.7 260 56 29 7.9 4.3
30000 -39.5 -39.1 260 52 27 8.1 4.4 | -39.0 -38.2 260 57 29 7.8 4.3
29000 -37.1 -34.8 260 53 27 8.1 4.4 | -36.6 -33.9 260 57 29 7.8 4.3
28000 -34.6 -30.3 260 53 27 8.1 4.4 | -34.3 -29.7 260 58 30 7.8 4.3
27000 -32.2 -26.0 260 54 28 8.4 4.6 | -31.9 -25.4 260 58 30 8.6 4.7
26000 -29.7 -21.5 260 54 28 8.3 4.6 | -29.3 -20.7 260 58 30 8.5 4.7
25000 -26.6 -15.9 255 54 28 8.3 4.6 | -26.2 -15.2 255 58 30 8.5 4.7
24000 -24.1 -11.4 255 54 28 7.4 4.1 | -23.7 -10.7 255 58 30 7.2 3.9
23000 -21.9 -7.4 255 54 28 7.5 4.1 | -21.5 -6.7 255 57 29 7.3 4.0
22000 -19.6 -3.3 250 53 27 7.5 4.1 | -19.3 -2.7 255 56 29 7.3 4.0
21000 -17.5 0.5 250 52 27 6.3 3.5 | -17.3 0.9 260 54 28 6.5 3.6
20000 -15.6 3.9 250 51 26 6.4 3.5 | -15.3 4.5 260 51 26 6.5 3.6
19500 -14.6 5.7 250 50 26 6.4 3.5 | -14.3 6.3 260 49 25 6.5 3.6
19000 -13.7 7.3 255 49 25 6.4 3.5 | -13.4 7.9 260 48 25 6.5 3.6
18500 -12.7 9.1 255 48 25 6.4 3.5 | -12.4 9.7 265 47 24 6.3 3.5
18000 -11.8 10.8 255 47 24 6.4 3.5 | -11.5 11.3 265 46 24 6.3 3.5
17500 -10.8 12.6 255 47 24 6.5 3.6 | -10.5 13.1 265 45 23 6.5 3.6
17000 -9.8 14.4 255 46 24 6.6 3.6 | -9.5 14.9 270 45 23 6.7 3.7
16500 -8.8 16.2 260 45 23 6.6 3.6 | -8.5 16.7 270 44 23 6.7 3.7
16000 -7.8 18.0 260 44 23 6.6 3.6 | -7.6 18.3 270 44 23 6.0 3.3
15500 -6.9 19.6 260 44 23 6.6 3.6 | -6.6 20.1 270 44 23 6.2 3.4
15000 -5.9 21.4 265 43 22 6.6 3.6 | -5.8 21.6 270 44 23 4.5 2.5
14500 -4.9 23.2 265 42 22 6.6 3.6 | -5.2 22.6 270 44 22 4.4 2.4
14000 -3.9 25.0 265 41 21 6.4 3.5 | -4.5 23.9 270 43 22 4.3 2.4
13500 -3.0 26.6 265 39 20 6.2 3.4 | -3.9 25.0 270 41 21 4.2 2.3
13000 -2.0 28.4 270 38 20 5.6 3.1 | -3.3 26.1 270 39 20 3.2 1.8
12500 -1.4 29.5 270 36 19 4.7 2.6 | -3.0 26.6 270 35 18 2.2 1.2
12000 -0.7 30.7 270 34 18 4.0 2.2 | -2.7 27.1 270 31 16 1.6 0.9
11500 -0.3 31.5 275 32 17 2.7 1.5 | -2.7 27.1 270 27 14 0.6 0.3
11000 0.1 32.2 275 30 15 3.2 1.8 | -2.8 27.0 275 22 11 3.1 1.7
10500 0.6 33.1 275 27 14 4.0 2.2 | -1.9 28.6 280 21 11 6.7 3.6
10250 0.8 33.4 275 26 13 2.2 1.2 | -1.5 29.3 285 20 10 3.3 1.8
10000 0.9 33.6 280 25 13 2.9 1.6 | -1.3 29.7 290 19 10 5.8 3.2
9750 1.2 34.2 280 24 12 4.8 2.6 | -0.6 30.9 290 19 10 10.0 5.5
9500 1.5 34.7 285 23 12 5.3 2.9 | 0.1 32.2 290 19 10 9.1 5.0
9250 1.8 35.2 285 22 11 3.0 1.7 | 0.8 33.4 290 19 10 8.6 4.7
9000 2.3 36.1 295 21 11 6.4 3.5 | 2.1 35.8 295 18 9 9.5 5.2
8750 2.8 37.0 300 20 11 6.0 3.3 | 2.8 37.0 295 18 9 9.4 5.1
8500 3.2 37.8 300 20 11 4.8 2.7 | 3.5 38.3 300 18 9 9.0 4.9
8250 3.5 38.3 305 22 11 5.1 2.8 | 4.1 39.4 300 18 9 9.3 5.1
8000 4.0 39.2 310 22 11 6.7 3.7 | 4.9 40.8 300 18 9 10.1 5.5
7750 4.4 39.9 310 21 11 6.4 3.5 | 5.6 42.1 305 18 9 10.0 5.5
7500 4.9 40.8 315 21 11 5.9 3.2 | 6.4 43.5 305 18 10 9.3 5.1
7250 5.4 41.7 315 21 11 8.0 4.4 | 7.1 44.8 305 19 10 9.9 5.4
7000 6.1 43.0 315 21 11 10.3 5.6 | 7.9 46.2 310 18 10 11.0 6.0
6750 6.9 44.4 315 21 11 9.5 5.2 | 8.7 47.7 310 18 9 10.6 5.8
6500 7.6 45.7 315 20 10 9.3 5.1 | 9.5 49.1 310 18 9 10.9 6.0
6250 8.2 46.8 315 20 10 8.6 4.7 | 10.3 50.5 310 18 9 9.9 5.5
6000 9.0 48.2 315 19 10 12.9 7.1 | 11.1 52.0 315 17 9 16.8 9.2
5750 10.7 51.3 315 16 8 38.7 21.2 | 13.8 56.8 315 16 8 66.6 36.6
5500 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
04/03/2026 at 1500 MDT | 04/03/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +7.6 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +8.0
CINH... -0.6 K Index... -12.8 | CINH... -0.2 K Index... -24.4
|
Height Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate | Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft | deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -60.5 -76.9 275 49 25 2.5 1.4 | -60.3 -76.5 280 46 24 3.1 1.7
45000 -57.0 -70.6 265 61 31 -1.2 -0.7 | -56.1 -69.0 270 60 31 -0.4 -0.2
40000 -58.4 -73.1 260 56 29 -0.8 -0.4 | -56.8 -70.2 265 62 32 -0.3 -0.2
38000 -56.1 -69.0 260 53 27 5.3 2.9 | -55.0 -67.0 265 62 32 4.2 2.3
36000 -52.9 -63.2 255 50 26 5.3 2.9 | -52.4 -62.3 265 62 32 4.2 2.3
34000 -49.0 -56.2 255 50 26 8.5 4.7 | -49.1 -56.4 265 62 32 7.9 4.3
32000 -43.8 -46.8 255 53 27 8.5 4.7 | -44.3 -47.7 265 61 31 7.9 4.3
30000 -38.8 -37.8 260 56 29 8.1 4.4 | -39.5 -39.1 265 61 31 8.5 4.7
29000 -36.4 -33.5 260 57 29 8.1 4.4 | -36.9 -34.4 265 61 32 8.5 4.7
28000 -34.0 -29.2 260 59 30 8.1 4.4 | -33.7 -28.7 265 62 32 8.5 4.6
27000 -31.6 -24.9 260 60 31 7.9 4.3 | -31.3 -24.3 265 61 32 7.4 4.1
26000 -28.6 -19.5 265 60 31 7.9 4.3 | -29.1 -20.4 270 60 31 7.4 4.1
25000 -26.2 -15.2 265 61 31 7.9 4.3 | -26.9 -16.4 270 59 30 7.4 4.1
24000 -23.9 -11.0 265 60 31 7.2 3.9 | -24.7 -12.5 270 57 29 6.2 3.4
23000 -21.7 -7.1 265 58 30 7.2 4.0 | -22.8 -9.0 270 53 28 6.4 3.5
22000 -19.6 -3.3 265 56 29 7.2 4.0 | -20.9 -5.6 275 50 26 6.4 3.5
21000 -17.5 0.5 265 54 28 5.9 3.3 | -18.9 -2.0 275 48 25 7.2 4.0
20000 -15.7 3.7 265 52 27 6.0 3.3 | -16.7 1.9 275 46 24 7.2 3.9
19500 -14.8 5.4 270 51 26 6.0 3.3 | -15.6 3.9 280 46 24 7.2 3.9
19000 -13.9 7.0 270 50 26 6.0 3.3 | -14.6 5.7 280 45 23 7.2 3.9
18500 -13.0 8.6 270 50 26 6.2 3.4 | -13.5 7.7 280 45 23 7.3 4.0
18000 -12.1 10.2 270 50 25 6.2 3.4 | -12.4 9.7 280 44 23 7.3 4.0
17500 -11.2 11.8 270 49 25 6.4 3.5 | -11.3 11.7 280 44 23 6.9 3.8
17000 -10.2 13.6 270 49 25 6.6 3.6 | -10.3 13.5 280 44 23 6.6 3.6
16500 -9.2 15.4 270 50 26 6.6 3.6 | -9.3 15.3 275 43 22 6.5 3.6
16000 -8.4 16.9 270 49 25 4.9 2.7 | -8.5 16.7 275 43 22 5.0 2.8
15500 -7.6 18.3 270 48 25 5.4 3.0 | -7.7 18.1 275 42 21 5.3 2.9
15000 -7.1 19.2 270 46 24 0.6 0.3 | -7.0 19.4 270 40 21 3.4 1.9
14500 -7.1 19.2 265 41 21 0.4 0.2 | -6.6 20.1 265 38 19 3.5 1.9
14000 -7.1 19.2 260 36 19 2.6 1.4 | -6.1 21.0 260 35 18 3.4 1.9
13500 -6.6 20.1 260 31 16 3.7 2.0 | -5.6 21.9 260 32 16 3.5 1.9
13000 -6.1 21.0 255 26 14 5.2 2.9 | -5.1 22.8 250 29 15 4.9 2.7
12500 -5.1 22.8 260 24 12 6.6 3.6 | -4.3 24.3 255 26 13 5.9 3.3
12000 -4.1 24.6 260 21 11 7.3 4.0 | -3.4 25.9 260 24 12 6.5 3.6
11500 -2.9 26.8 270 20 10 8.2 4.5 | -2.3 27.9 265 23 12 7.1 3.9
11000 -1.7 28.9 275 19 10 8.5 4.7 | -1.3 29.7 275 22 11 7.0 3.8
10500 -0.4 31.3 280 18 9 8.9 4.9 | -0.2 31.6 285 22 11 6.7 3.7
10250 0.3 32.5 285 18 9 9.4 5.2 | 0.2 32.4 290 22 11 5.4 3.0
10000 1.1 34.0 285 18 9 9.4 5.2 | 1.1 34.0 300 22 11 6.9 3.8
9750 1.7 35.1 290 18 9 9.2 5.0 | 1.6 34.9 305 23 12 6.3 3.4
9500 2.4 36.3 290 18 9 9.3 5.1 | 2.1 35.8 305 23 12 7.7 4.2
9250 3.8 38.8 295 18 9 9.2 5.1 | 2.8 37.0 310 23 12 8.8 4.8
9000 4.5 40.1 300 18 9 9.4 5.2 | 3.4 38.1 310 24 12 8.2 4.5
8750 5.2 41.4 300 19 10 9.8 5.4 | 4.0 39.2 315 24 13 8.4 4.6
8500 5.9 42.6 305 19 10 8.2 4.5 | 4.7 40.5 315 25 13 8.2 4.5
8250 6.5 43.7 305 19 10 8.6 4.7 | 5.3 41.5 320 26 13 9.0 5.0
8000 7.3 45.1 310 19 10 10.4 5.7 | 6.0 42.8 320 26 13 9.8 5.4
7750 8.0 46.4 310 20 10 10.2 5.6 | 6.8 44.2 320 26 14 9.7 5.3
7500 8.8 47.8 315 20 10 9.0 4.9 | 7.5 45.5 320 27 14 8.7 4.8
7250 9.4 48.9 315 21 11 9.5 5.2 | 8.1 46.6 325 27 14 9.1 5.0
7000 10.2 50.4 320 21 11 11.3 6.2 | 8.9 48.0 325 27 14 10.3 5.7
6750 11.1 52.0 320 21 11 10.6 5.8 | 9.6 49.3 325 27 14 10.0 5.5
6500 11.9 53.4 320 21 11 10.9 6.0 | 10.4 50.7 325 27 14 10.4 5.7
6250 12.7 54.9 325 21 11 9.6 5.3 | 11.1 52.0 325 27 14 9.4 5.2
6000 13.5 56.3 325 20 10 16.1 8.8 | 11.9 53.4 330 25 13 11.8 6.5
5750 16.2 61.2 330 18 9 68.0 37.3 | 13.5 56.3 330 21 11 39.3 21.6
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
0708 MDT Friday April 3 2026
This forecast is for Friday, April 3, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 54.2 F/12.4 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Good
Maximum rate of lift........................ 450 ft/min (2.3 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 12625 ft MSL (6169 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 62.0 F/17.1 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................. 11229 ft MSL (4773 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Saturday 04/04..... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:47:30 / 19:27:36 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 12 hr 40 min 6 sec (760 min 6 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:07:33 MDT... 59.87 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 04/03/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 10688 ft MSL (4232 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 17107 ft MSL (10651 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 15045 ft MSL (8589 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... +4.6
K index......................... -14.9
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 -61.6 -78.9 265 51 26 3.3 1.8 88.3 191.0 42.0 M M
45000 -57.0 -70.6 265 55 28 -0.7 -0.4 73.4 164.1 35.4 M M
40000 -57.7 -71.9 265 49 25 -0.5 -0.3 49.6 121.2 22.0 M M
38000 -55.7 -68.3 260 48 24 4.6 2.5 42.7 108.9 18.0 M M
36000 -52.9 -63.2 260 46 24 4.6 2.5 38.4 101.1 15.4 M M
34000 -49.4 -56.9 260 45 23 8.1 4.4 35.4 95.7 13.6 M M
32000 -44.5 -48.1 260 46 24 8.1 4.4 33.9 93.1 12.9 M M
30000 -39.7 -39.5 260 47 24 8.1 4.5 32.7 90.9 12.3 M M
29000 -37.3 -35.1 260 48 25 8.1 4.5 32.0 89.6 11.9 M M
28000 -34.8 -30.6 260 49 25 8.1 4.5 31.5 88.6 11.6 M M
27000 -32.4 -26.3 260 50 26 8.6 4.7 31.0 87.8 11.3 M M
26000 -29.8 -21.6 255 50 26 8.7 4.8 30.5 86.9 11.1 M M
25000 -27.2 -17.0 255 50 26 8.7 4.7 30.1 86.2 10.9 M M
24000 -24.0 -11.2 250 50 26 6.8 3.7 29.5 85.2 10.6 M M
23000 -22.0 -7.6 250 50 26 6.9 3.8 28.4 83.2 9.8 M M
22000 -19.9 -3.8 250 50 26 6.9 3.8 27.5 81.4 9.1 M M
21000 -17.9 -0.2 250 50 26 6.6 3.6 26.5 79.7 8.3 M M
20000 -15.9 3.4 250 51 26 6.6 3.6 25.3 77.6 7.4 M M
19500 -14.9 5.2 250 51 26 6.6 3.6 24.8 76.6 7.0 M M
19000 -13.9 7.0 250 51 26 6.6 3.6 24.3 75.7 6.6 M M
18500 -12.9 8.8 250 51 26 7.2 3.9 23.8 74.9 6.2 M M
18000 -11.8 10.8 255 51 26 7.2 3.9 23.4 74.1 5.9 M M
17500 -10.8 12.6 255 51 26 7.1 3.9 23.0 73.3 5.5 M M
17000 -9.7 14.5 255 50 26 7.0 3.8 22.5 72.5 5.1 M M
16500 -8.7 16.3 255 50 26 7.0 3.8 22.0 71.6 4.8 M M
16000 -7.6 18.3 260 49 25 6.7 3.7 21.5 70.8 4.3 M M
15500 -6.6 20.1 260 48 25 6.7 3.7 21.0 69.9 3.9 M M
15000 -5.7 21.7 260 48 24 6.4 3.5 20.5 69.0 3.5 M M
14500 -4.7 23.5 260 46 24 6.2 3.4 19.9 67.9 3.0 M M
14000 -3.8 25.2 260 45 23 5.6 3.1 19.4 66.9 2.5 M M
13500 -3.1 26.4 265 43 22 4.6 2.5 18.6 65.4 1.7 M M
13000 -2.4 27.7 265 40 21 4.3 2.4 17.8 64.0 0.9 M M
12500 -1.9 28.6 265 38 20 2.7 1.5 16.7 62.1 -0.1 448 2.3
12000 -1.6 29.1 270 35 18 2.9 1.6 15.6 60.1 -1.1 422 2.1
11500 -1.2 29.8 270 33 17 3.1 1.7 14.6 58.2 -2.2 396 2.0
11000 -0.7 30.7 275 31 16 4.7 2.6 13.6 56.5 -3.2 366 1.9
10500 0.5 32.9 285 30 15 5.9 3.2 12.7 54.9 -4.2 308 1.6
10250 0.9 33.6 285 29 15 5.2 2.8 12.4 54.3 -4.6 289 1.5
10000 1.3 34.3 290 27 14 5.9 3.2 12.0 53.6 -5.0 271 1.4
9750 1.7 35.1 295 27 14 6.7 3.6 11.8 53.2 -5.3 250 1.3
9500 2.2 36.0 295 27 14 6.7 3.7 11.5 52.7 -5.5 229 1.2
9250 2.6 36.7 300 26 14 5.8 3.2 11.3 52.3 -5.8 208 1.1
9000 3.0 37.4 300 25 13 6.2 3.4 10.9 51.7 -6.2 189 1.0
8750 3.5 38.3 300 24 12 7.6 4.2 10.8 51.4 -6.4 166 0.8
8500 4.1 39.4 300 23 12 6.9 3.8 10.6 51.0 -6.6 143 0.7
8250 4.6 40.3 300 23 12 8.4 4.6 10.4 50.7 -6.8 120 0.6
8000 5.3 41.5 295 22 11 8.3 4.5 10.3 50.6 -6.9 92 0.5
7750 5.8 42.4 295 21 11 6.7 3.7 10.1 50.2 -7.2 70 0.4
7500 6.3 43.3 295 20 10 7.1 3.9 9.9 49.8 -7.4 47 0.2
7250 6.8 44.2 290 18 9 8.2 4.5 9.7 49.5 -7.6 23 0.1
7000 7.4 45.3 285 16 8 3.9 2.1 9.5 49.2 -7.8 M M
6750 7.3 45.1 285 13 6 -6.0 -3.3 8.7 47.7 -8.7 M M
6500 7.1 44.8 275 9 5 12.3 6.7 7.9 46.2 -9.5 M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
04/03/2026 at 0900 MDT | 04/03/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +6.6 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +7.4
CINH... 0.0 K Index... -18.8 | CINH... -0.1 K Index... -19.7
|
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 -62.1 -79.8 265 53 27 3.3 1.8 | -60.7 -77.3 265 50 26 2.7 1.5
45000 -57.7 -71.9 260 52 27 -1.0 -0.6 | -57.1 -70.8 255 57 29 -2.2 -1.2
40000 -58.8 -73.8 265 50 26 -0.8 -0.4 | -59.9 -75.8 260 62 32 -1.6 -0.9
38000 -56.2 -69.2 265 49 25 6.0 3.3 | -56.9 -70.4 260 62 32 7.1 3.9
36000 -52.5 -62.5 255 48 25 6.0 3.3 | -52.7 -62.9 260 62 32 7.1 3.9
34000 -48.5 -55.3 255 49 25 7.6 4.2 | -48.4 -55.1 260 63 32 7.5 4.1
32000 -44.0 -47.2 255 53 27 7.6 4.2 | -43.9 -47.0 260 64 33 7.5 4.1
30000 -39.3 -38.7 260 55 28 8.1 4.5 | -39.3 -38.7 255 65 34 8.0 4.4
29000 -36.9 -34.4 255 56 29 8.1 4.5 | -36.9 -34.4 255 65 34 8.0 4.4
28000 -34.5 -30.1 255 56 29 8.1 4.5 | -34.5 -30.1 255 66 34 8.0 4.4
27000 -32.0 -25.6 255 57 29 8.2 4.5 | -32.1 -25.8 255 66 34 7.7 4.2
26000 -29.6 -21.3 250 57 29 8.3 4.5 | -29.8 -21.6 255 64 33 7.6 4.2
25000 -27.1 -16.8 250 57 30 8.2 4.5 | -26.9 -16.4 255 63 32 7.6 4.2
24000 -24.1 -11.4 250 58 30 7.0 3.8 | -24.7 -12.5 255 61 31 6.5 3.6
23000 -22.0 -7.6 250 57 29 7.1 3.9 | -22.7 -8.9 255 57 30 6.6 3.6
22000 -19.8 -3.6 250 56 29 7.1 3.9 | -20.8 -5.4 255 54 28 6.6 3.6
21000 -17.7 0.1 250 55 28 6.8 3.7 | -18.7 -1.7 260 51 26 7.1 3.9
20000 -15.7 3.7 255 53 27 6.8 3.7 | -16.6 2.1 260 49 25 7.1 3.9
19500 -14.7 5.5 255 52 27 6.8 3.7 | -15.5 4.1 260 48 25 7.1 3.9
19000 -13.7 7.3 255 51 26 6.8 3.8 | -14.5 5.9 265 47 24 7.1 3.9
18500 -12.7 9.1 260 50 26 6.4 3.5 | -13.4 7.9 265 46 24 7.1 3.9
18000 -11.7 10.9 260 50 26 6.4 3.5 | -12.4 9.7 265 46 24 7.0 3.9
17500 -10.8 12.6 260 49 25 6.3 3.5 | -11.3 11.7 265 46 24 6.7 3.7
17000 -9.8 14.4 260 48 25 6.1 3.3 | -10.4 13.3 265 47 24 6.1 3.3
16500 -8.9 16.0 260 48 25 6.1 3.3 | -9.5 14.9 270 47 24 6.2 3.4
16000 -8.1 17.4 265 47 24 5.8 3.2 | -8.7 16.3 270 47 24 4.6 2.5
15500 -7.2 19.0 265 47 24 5.8 3.2 | -7.9 17.8 270 46 24 4.8 2.6
15000 -6.3 20.7 265 46 24 5.9 3.2 | -7.3 18.9 270 45 23 4.2 2.3
14500 -5.5 22.1 265 46 24 5.9 3.2 | -6.7 19.9 270 43 22 4.1 2.2
14000 -4.6 23.7 270 45 23 5.6 3.1 | -6.1 21.0 275 41 21 4.0 2.2
13500 -3.8 25.2 270 44 23 5.2 2.8 | -5.5 22.1 275 38 20 4.1 2.2
13000 -3.0 26.6 270 43 22 4.7 2.6 | -4.9 23.2 275 35 18 4.4 2.4
12500 -2.5 27.5 270 40 21 3.3 1.8 | -4.3 24.3 280 32 16 4.8 2.6
12000 -2.1 28.2 275 37 19 3.2 1.8 | -3.6 25.5 285 29 15 4.8 2.6
11500 -1.8 28.8 280 35 18 1.9 1.0 | -2.9 26.8 285 27 14 4.4 2.4
11000 -1.6 29.1 285 31 16 2.6 1.4 | -1.3 29.7 290 25 13 8.6 4.7
10500 -0.8 30.6 290 26 13 4.4 2.4 | -0.0 32.0 295 24 12 8.6 4.7
10250 -0.5 31.1 295 24 12 5.2 2.9 | 0.6 33.1 295 24 12 8.9 4.9
10000 -0.1 31.8 295 22 11 7.0 3.9 | 1.3 34.3 295 23 12 9.4 5.2
9750 0.5 32.9 300 21 11 7.6 4.2 | 2.0 35.6 295 23 12 9.5 5.2
9500 1.0 33.8 300 20 10 7.3 4.0 | 2.7 36.9 295 23 12 9.5 5.2
9250 1.6 34.9 305 19 10 8.2 4.5 | 3.4 38.1 295 23 12 9.4 5.2
9000 2.2 36.0 300 18 9 9.1 5.0 | 4.1 39.4 295 23 12 9.5 5.2
8750 2.9 37.2 305 17 9 8.9 4.9 | 4.8 40.6 295 23 12 9.6 5.3
8500 3.5 38.3 305 17 9 9.0 4.9 | 5.5 41.9 290 22 11 9.7 5.3
8250 4.2 39.6 305 16 8 9.5 5.2 | 6.3 43.3 290 22 11 10.2 5.6
8000 4.9 40.8 305 16 8 9.7 5.3 | 7.1 44.8 290 22 11 10.5 5.8
7750 5.6 42.1 305 15 8 9.4 5.1 | 7.8 46.0 290 22 11 10.4 5.7
7500 6.4 43.5 305 15 8 9.6 5.3 | 8.6 47.5 290 21 11 10.4 5.7
7250 7.1 44.8 305 14 7 10.1 5.6 | 9.4 48.9 290 21 11 11.0 6.0
7000 7.8 46.0 305 14 7 9.3 5.1 | 10.2 50.4 290 20 10 9.4 5.2
6750 8.5 47.3 305 13 7 11.2 6.2 | 11.0 51.8 285 19 10 15.3 8.4
6500 10.1 50.2 305 11 6 36.6 20.1 | 13.7 56.7 285 17 9 71.6 39.3
04/03/2026 at 1500 MDT | 04/03/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +8.4 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +9.1
CINH... -0.6 K Index... -20.0 | CINH... -0.2 K Index... -41.9
|
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 -59.7 -75.5 275 47 24 2.6 1.4 | -60.0 -76.0 275 45 23 3.2 1.7
45000 -56.1 -69.0 260 65 33 -2.7 -1.5 | -55.6 -68.1 270 62 32 -0.7 -0.4
40000 -59.5 -75.1 260 61 31 -1.9 -1.1 | -56.8 -70.2 265 65 33 -0.7 -0.4
38000 -57.1 -70.8 260 61 31 6.4 3.5 | -55.2 -67.4 265 65 33 3.9 2.1
36000 -53.2 -63.8 255 62 32 6.4 3.5 | -52.9 -63.2 265 64 33 3.9 2.1
34000 -48.9 -56.0 255 63 32 8.6 4.7 | -49.6 -57.3 265 64 33 8.6 4.7
32000 -43.7 -46.7 255 65 34 8.6 4.7 | -44.4 -47.9 260 65 34 8.6 4.7
30000 -38.8 -37.8 260 67 34 7.3 4.0 | -39.4 -38.9 265 65 34 7.8 4.3
29000 -36.6 -33.9 260 67 34 7.3 4.0 | -37.1 -34.8 265 65 34 7.8 4.3
28000 -34.4 -29.9 260 67 34 7.3 4.0 | -34.2 -29.6 265 65 33 7.8 4.3
27000 -31.7 -25.1 260 66 34 7.3 4.0 | -31.9 -25.4 265 64 33 6.8 3.7
26000 -29.5 -21.1 260 64 33 7.3 4.0 | -29.9 -21.8 270 61 32 6.8 3.8
25000 -27.3 -17.1 260 61 31 7.3 4.0 | -27.8 -18.0 270 59 30 6.8 3.8
24000 -25.2 -13.4 260 59 30 7.0 3.8 | -25.7 -14.3 270 57 29 7.2 3.9
23000 -23.1 -9.6 265 56 29 7.0 3.8 | -23.6 -10.5 270 55 28 7.2 3.9
22000 -21.0 -5.8 265 54 28 7.0 3.8 | -21.4 -6.5 275 54 28 7.2 3.9
21000 -18.9 -2.0 270 52 27 6.7 3.7 | -19.2 -2.6 275 52 27 7.3 4.0
20000 -16.9 1.6 270 52 27 6.7 3.7 | -17.0 1.4 275 51 26 7.3 4.0
19500 -15.9 3.4 270 51 26 6.7 3.7 | -15.9 3.4 280 50 26 7.3 4.0
19000 -14.9 5.2 270 51 26 6.7 3.7 | -14.8 5.4 280 49 25 7.4 4.0
18500 -13.9 7.0 270 51 26 6.7 3.7 | -13.7 7.3 280 49 25 7.2 3.9
18000 -12.9 8.8 270 51 26 6.7 3.7 | -12.7 9.1 280 48 25 7.1 3.9
17500 -11.9 10.6 270 51 26 6.5 3.6 | -11.6 11.1 280 47 24 6.6 3.6
17000 -10.9 12.4 275 50 26 6.2 3.4 | -10.7 12.7 280 46 24 5.5 3.0
16500 -10.0 14.0 275 50 26 6.5 3.6 | -9.9 14.2 280 45 23 5.8 3.2
16000 -9.3 15.3 275 48 25 3.2 1.7 | -9.2 15.4 280 43 22 3.2 1.7
15500 -8.8 16.2 275 46 24 3.5 1.9 | -8.7 16.3 280 41 21 3.5 1.9
15000 -8.3 17.1 275 43 22 3.1 1.7 | -8.2 17.2 280 38 20 3.1 1.7
14500 -7.8 18.0 275 39 20 3.1 1.7 | -7.8 18.0 280 35 18 3.0 1.7
14000 -7.4 18.7 275 36 18 3.2 1.8 | -7.3 18.9 280 32 17 3.3 1.8
13500 -6.9 19.6 280 32 16 3.5 1.9 | -6.8 19.8 280 30 15 3.7 2.0
13000 -6.4 20.5 280 28 14 4.2 2.3 | -6.3 20.7 280 27 14 4.4 2.4
12500 -5.7 21.7 285 26 13 5.6 3.1 | -5.5 22.1 285 26 13 5.4 3.0
12000 -4.9 23.2 285 24 12 6.4 3.5 | -4.4 24.1 285 24 12 4.9 2.7
11500 -3.7 25.3 290 23 12 8.5 4.6 | -3.6 25.5 290 23 12 5.8 3.2
11000 -1.6 29.1 290 23 12 9.2 5.1 | -2.6 27.3 290 23 12 7.4 4.0
10500 -0.2 31.6 290 23 12 9.3 5.1 | -1.5 29.3 295 23 12 7.3 4.0
10250 0.5 32.9 290 23 12 9.5 5.2 | -0.9 30.4 295 23 12 8.7 4.8
10000 1.2 34.2 290 23 12 9.5 5.2 | -0.2 31.6 295 23 12 9.7 5.3
9750 1.9 35.4 290 24 12 9.5 5.2 | 0.5 32.9 295 23 12 9.4 5.2
9500 2.6 36.7 285 24 12 9.4 5.2 | 1.3 34.3 295 23 12 9.5 5.2
9250 3.3 37.9 285 24 12 9.4 5.1 | 2.0 35.6 295 23 12 9.6 5.3
9000 4.1 39.4 285 24 13 9.6 5.3 | 2.7 36.9 295 24 12 9.4 5.2
8750 4.8 40.6 285 25 13 9.8 5.4 | 3.4 38.1 295 24 12 9.3 5.1
8500 5.5 41.9 285 25 13 9.7 5.3 | 4.1 39.4 295 24 12 9.5 5.2
8250 6.2 43.2 285 25 13 9.8 5.4 | 4.8 40.6 295 24 12 9.9 5.4
8000 7.0 44.6 285 25 13 10.4 5.7 | 5.6 42.1 295 24 13 9.9 5.4
7750 7.8 46.0 285 25 13 10.8 5.9 | 6.3 43.3 295 24 12 9.7 5.3
7500 8.6 47.5 280 25 13 10.7 5.9 | 7.0 44.6 295 24 12 10.1 5.5
7250 9.4 48.9 280 25 13 11.3 6.2 | 7.8 46.0 295 24 12 10.8 5.9
7000 10.2 50.4 280 24 13 9.5 5.2 | 8.6 47.5 290 23 12 9.3 5.1
6750 11.0 51.8 280 23 12 15.5 8.5 | 9.3 48.7 290 22 12 10.9 6.0
6500 13.9 57.0 280 21 11 75.4 41.4 | 10.8 51.4 290 19 10 38.4 21.1
________________________________________________________________________________
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.
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