Soaring Forecast for Moriarty NM
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
0718 MDT Wednesday April 29 2026
This forecast is for Wednesday, April 29, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 62.2 F/16.8 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 1078 ft/min (5.5 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 18296 ft MSL (11948 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 74.0 F/23.8 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1130 MDT
Time of overdevelopment........................ None
Middle/high clouds during soaring window....... None
Surface winds during soaring window............ 20 mph or less
Height of the -3 thermal index................. 15012 ft MSL (8665 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Thursday 04/30..... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:14:53 / 19:47:45 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 13 hr 32 min 52 sec (812 min 52 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:01:19 MDT... 69.67 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 04/29/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 12280 ft MSL (5932 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 21987 ft MSL (15639 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 20820 ft MSL (14473 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... +3.6
K index......................... -21.3
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 82 42 -1.2 -0.7 87.9 190.3 37.8 M M
45000 -62.8 -81.0 265 104 54 3.0 1.6 63.8 146.8 25.3 M M
40000 -58.1 -72.6 265 133 69 2.7 1.5 48.3 118.9 16.7 M M
38000 -54.0 -65.2 265 129 66 7.7 4.2 45.6 114.0 15.3 M M
36000 -49.4 -56.9 265 121 62 7.7 4.2 43.9 111.1 14.5 M M
34000 -44.2 -47.6 265 113 58 7.5 4.1 42.0 107.5 13.5 M M
32000 -39.7 -39.5 265 108 56 7.5 4.1 40.2 104.3 12.5 M M
30000 -35.9 -32.6 260 97 50 5.4 2.9 37.5 99.6 10.8 M M
29000 -34.3 -29.7 260 88 46 5.4 2.9 35.8 96.4 9.6 M M
28000 -32.7 -26.9 255 80 41 5.4 3.0 34.2 93.5 8.5 M M
27000 -30.9 -23.6 255 75 39 7.1 3.9 32.8 91.1 7.5 M M
26000 -28.7 -19.7 250 73 38 7.1 3.9 31.8 89.2 6.7 M M
25000 -26.6 -15.9 250 71 37 7.2 3.9 30.8 87.5 6.0 M M
24000 -24.5 -12.1 250 69 35 6.5 3.6 29.9 85.8 5.3 M M
23000 -22.5 -8.5 250 65 34 6.6 3.6 28.7 83.6 4.3 M M
22000 -20.5 -4.9 250 62 32 6.6 3.6 27.6 81.7 3.5 M M
21000 -18.5 -1.3 250 58 30 6.5 3.6 26.5 79.7 2.6 M M
20000 -16.1 3.0 250 51 27 6.6 3.6 25.1 77.1 1.4 M M
19500 -15.1 4.8 250 49 25 6.6 3.6 24.5 76.2 1.0 M M
19000 -14.1 6.6 250 46 24 6.6 3.6 24.0 75.3 0.6 M M
18500 -13.1 8.4 250 44 23 6.7 3.7 23.5 74.3 0.1 M M
18000 -12.1 10.2 245 42 21 6.7 3.7 23.0 73.4 -0.4 1043 5.3
17500 -11.1 12.0 245 39 20 6.8 3.7 22.5 72.5 -0.8 998 5.1
17000 -10.1 13.8 245 38 19 6.8 3.7 22.0 71.5 -1.3 953 4.8
16500 -9.0 15.8 245 36 18 6.9 3.8 21.5 70.7 -1.7 908 4.6
16000 -8.0 17.6 245 34 18 6.9 3.8 21.0 69.8 -2.2 862 4.4
15500 -7.0 19.4 250 33 17 6.9 3.8 20.6 69.0 -2.6 816 4.1
15000 -6.0 21.2 250 32 16 6.8 3.7 20.1 68.1 -3.1 771 3.9
14500 -5.0 23.0 250 31 16 6.7 3.7 19.6 67.2 -3.5 726 3.7
14000 -3.9 25.0 250 30 15 7.4 4.1 19.1 66.5 -4.0 679 3.5
13500 -2.8 27.0 255 28 15 7.3 4.0 18.7 65.7 -4.4 632 3.2
13000 -1.7 28.9 255 27 14 7.9 4.3 18.4 65.1 -4.7 584 3.0
12500 -0.5 31.1 255 27 14 7.9 4.3 18.1 64.6 -5.0 534 2.7
12000 0.7 33.3 260 26 13 8.1 4.4 17.8 64.1 -5.3 483 2.5
11500 1.9 35.4 260 25 13 8.3 4.6 17.6 63.6 -5.6 432 2.2
11000 3.0 37.4 260 24 13 7.7 4.3 17.2 63.0 -6.0 383 1.9
10500 4.3 39.7 265 23 12 8.8 4.8 17.0 62.7 -6.2 330 1.7
10250 4.9 40.8 265 22 12 8.0 4.4 17.0 62.5 -6.3 304 1.5
10000 5.4 41.7 265 21 11 6.2 3.4 16.7 62.1 -6.5 281 1.4
9750 5.9 42.6 260 20 10 5.8 3.2 16.4 61.6 -6.9 261 1.3
9500 6.3 43.3 260 19 10 6.2 3.4 16.1 61.0 -7.2 241 1.2
9250 6.7 44.1 255 18 9 5.0 2.8 15.8 60.5 -7.5 221 1.1
9000 7.0 44.6 250 15 8 3.4 1.9 15.4 59.7 -8.0 205 1.0
8750 7.2 45.0 240 13 7 3.3 1.8 14.9 58.8 -8.5 190 1.0
8500 7.5 45.5 230 12 6 3.1 1.7 14.4 57.9 -9.0 176 0.9
8250 7.7 45.9 220 10 5 3.7 2.0 13.9 57.0 -9.5 161 0.8
8000 8.0 46.4 205 9 5 3.7 2.1 13.5 56.2 -10.0 146 0.7
7750 8.2 46.8 185 9 4 2.7 1.5 13.0 55.3 -10.6 132 0.7
7500 8.2 46.8 170 8 4 -0.9 -0.5 12.3 54.2 -11.2 123 0.6
7250 7.9 46.2 155 8 4 -8.0 -4.4 11.3 52.3 -12.4 126 0.6
7000 7.1 44.8 135 8 4 -11.1 -6.1 9.7 49.5 -14.0 144 0.7
6750 6.2 43.2 115 9 5 -10.3 -5.7 8.2 46.8 -15.6 162 0.8
6500 5.2 41.4 100 10 5 -18.3 -10.0 6.5 43.7 -17.4 185 0.9
6250 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
04/29/2026 at 0900 MDT | 04/29/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +5.4 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +6.7
CINH... 0.0 K Index... -20.1 | CINH... 0.0 K Index... -9.1
|
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 -61.8 -79.2 265 83 42 -1.8 -1.0 | -62.8 -81.0 265 76 39 -1.3 -0.7
45000 -63.6 -82.5 265 103 53 3.3 1.8 | -63.8 -82.8 270 96 50 4.1 2.2
40000 -58.5 -73.3 265 126 65 3.0 1.6 | -57.5 -71.5 270 121 62 3.8 2.1
38000 -53.9 -65.0 265 125 64 8.4 4.6 | -53.1 -63.6 265 119 61 8.0 4.4
36000 -48.2 -54.8 265 121 62 8.4 4.6 | -47.7 -53.9 260 115 59 8.0 4.4
34000 -43.7 -46.7 265 114 59 6.8 3.8 | -43.3 -45.9 260 110 56 6.8 3.7
32000 -39.6 -39.3 265 106 54 6.9 3.8 | -39.2 -38.6 265 104 54 6.8 3.7
30000 -36.0 -32.8 265 95 49 5.2 2.9 | -35.3 -31.5 265 96 50 5.9 3.3
29000 -34.4 -29.9 260 88 46 5.2 2.9 | -33.6 -28.5 265 91 47 5.9 3.3
28000 -32.8 -27.0 260 82 42 5.3 2.9 | -31.8 -25.2 260 86 45 5.9 3.3
27000 -31.0 -23.8 255 77 40 7.2 3.9 | -30.0 -22.0 260 82 42 6.0 3.3
26000 -28.9 -20.0 255 75 39 7.2 3.9 | -28.2 -18.8 260 79 41 6.0 3.3
25000 -26.8 -16.2 255 72 37 7.2 4.0 | -26.4 -15.5 255 75 39 6.1 3.3
24000 -24.7 -12.5 255 70 36 7.1 3.9 | -24.6 -12.3 255 71 37 7.0 3.8
23000 -22.6 -8.7 255 68 35 7.1 3.9 | -22.5 -8.5 260 68 35 7.0 3.8
22000 -20.4 -4.7 255 65 34 7.1 3.9 | -20.5 -4.9 260 64 33 7.0 3.8
21000 -18.4 -1.1 255 62 32 6.1 3.4 | -18.4 -1.1 265 61 31 7.0 3.9
20000 -16.0 3.2 255 56 29 6.2 3.4 | -16.3 2.7 265 58 30 7.0 3.9
19500 -15.1 4.8 260 53 27 6.2 3.4 | -14.7 5.5 265 56 29 7.0 3.8
19000 -14.2 6.4 260 50 26 6.3 3.5 | -13.6 7.5 265 54 28 6.4 3.5
18500 -13.2 8.2 260 48 25 6.4 3.5 | -12.8 9.0 265 52 27 5.5 3.0
18000 -12.2 10.0 260 45 23 6.4 3.5 | -11.9 10.6 265 49 25 5.5 3.0
17500 -11.2 11.8 260 43 22 6.9 3.8 | -11.1 12.0 265 46 24 5.4 3.0
17000 -10.2 13.6 260 40 21 6.9 3.8 | -10.2 13.6 265 43 22 5.4 3.0
16500 -9.1 15.6 260 38 20 6.8 3.8 | -9.4 15.1 265 40 21 5.2 2.9
16000 -8.1 17.4 260 36 19 6.8 3.7 | -8.6 16.5 265 37 19 5.1 2.8
15500 -7.1 19.2 260 35 18 6.9 3.8 | -7.9 17.8 260 33 17 4.9 2.7
15000 -6.0 21.2 260 33 17 7.1 3.9 | -7.2 19.0 260 30 15 4.4 2.4
14500 -5.0 23.0 260 31 16 7.1 3.9 | -6.6 20.1 260 27 14 4.2 2.3
14000 -4.0 24.8 260 30 15 6.7 3.7 | -5.6 21.9 255 24 12 8.4 4.6
13500 -3.0 26.6 260 29 15 6.7 3.7 | -4.4 24.1 255 23 12 7.9 4.3
13000 -1.9 28.6 255 28 14 7.1 3.9 | -3.2 26.2 255 21 11 9.0 4.9
12500 -0.9 30.4 255 27 14 7.0 3.9 | -1.9 28.6 255 21 11 8.9 4.9
12000 0.2 32.4 255 26 14 7.2 4.0 | -0.5 31.1 255 20 10 9.2 5.1
11500 1.3 34.3 255 26 13 7.2 4.0 | 0.9 33.6 255 20 10 9.2 5.0
11000 2.3 36.1 255 26 13 7.4 4.0 | 2.2 36.0 255 19 10 9.0 4.9
10500 3.4 38.1 255 25 13 7.4 4.1 | 3.6 38.5 255 19 10 9.6 5.3
10250 4.0 39.2 255 25 13 7.5 4.1 | 4.3 39.7 255 19 10 9.2 5.1
10000 4.5 40.1 255 24 13 6.8 3.7 | 5.0 41.0 255 18 10 9.3 5.1
9750 5.0 41.0 250 23 12 6.1 3.4 | 5.7 42.3 255 18 9 9.9 5.4
9500 5.5 41.9 250 22 11 6.8 3.7 | 6.5 43.7 250 18 9 9.4 5.2
9250 5.9 42.6 250 21 11 5.0 2.8 | 7.2 45.0 250 18 9 10.6 5.8
9000 6.2 43.2 245 20 10 2.6 1.4 | 8.0 46.4 250 18 9 10.6 5.8
8750 6.3 43.3 240 18 9 2.1 1.2 | 8.7 47.7 250 17 9 9.3 5.1
8500 6.4 43.5 235 16 8 2.2 1.2 | 9.5 49.1 250 17 9 9.5 5.2
8250 6.5 43.7 230 14 7 -2.3 -1.3 | 10.2 50.4 250 17 9 9.9 5.4
8000 6.0 42.8 220 12 6 -5.4 -2.9 | 10.9 51.6 250 17 9 10.3 5.6
7750 5.6 42.1 205 10 5 -4.7 -2.6 | 11.7 53.1 250 17 8 10.1 5.5
7500 5.3 41.5 190 8 4 -0.4 -0.2 | 12.5 54.5 250 16 8 10.3 5.7
7250 5.5 41.9 180 8 4 7.6 4.1 | 13.2 55.8 250 16 8 10.7 5.9
7000 6.2 43.2 175 8 4 9.5 5.2 | 14.1 57.4 250 15 8 11.3 6.2
6750 6.9 44.4 170 7 4 8.8 4.8 | 14.9 58.8 250 15 8 9.8 5.4
6500 7.6 45.7 170 7 4 13.6 7.5 | 15.7 60.3 250 14 7 15.6 8.5
6250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
04/29/2026 at 1500 MDT | 04/29/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +5.0 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +2.4
CINH... -0.0 K Index... +2.7 | CINH... 0.0 K Index... +7.7
|
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 -63.6 -82.5 265 79 41 -0.8 -0.4 | -63.4 -82.1 265 74 38 0.1 0.1
45000 -63.7 -82.7 270 92 47 4.4 2.4 | -62.4 -80.3 265 87 45 3.7 2.0
40000 -57.1 -70.8 265 115 59 4.5 2.5 | -56.9 -70.4 255 130 67 4.0 2.2
38000 -52.3 -62.1 265 117 60 8.3 4.6 | -52.1 -61.8 260 129 66 8.3 4.6
36000 -47.3 -53.1 260 118 61 8.4 4.6 | -47.1 -52.8 265 128 66 8.3 4.6
34000 -42.2 -44.0 260 113 58 6.8 3.8 | -41.8 -43.2 270 120 62 7.6 4.1
32000 -38.1 -36.6 265 102 53 6.8 3.8 | -37.2 -35.0 270 108 56 7.6 4.1
30000 -34.2 -29.6 270 93 48 6.2 3.4 | -33.4 -28.1 270 98 50 5.4 2.9
29000 -32.3 -26.1 270 90 46 6.2 3.4 | -31.8 -25.2 270 93 48 5.4 2.9
28000 -30.5 -22.9 270 86 44 6.2 3.4 | -30.2 -22.4 270 89 46 5.3 2.9
27000 -28.7 -19.7 270 82 42 5.3 2.9 | -28.8 -19.8 270 84 43 4.1 2.3
26000 -27.2 -17.0 265 77 40 5.3 2.9 | -27.5 -17.5 270 77 40 4.2 2.3
25000 -25.6 -14.1 265 73 38 5.4 3.0 | -26.3 -15.3 270 71 37 4.2 2.3
24000 -23.9 -11.0 265 69 36 7.0 3.8 | -24.9 -12.8 270 65 33 6.8 3.7
23000 -21.9 -7.4 265 64 33 6.8 3.7 | -23.0 -9.4 270 59 31 6.6 3.6
22000 -19.8 -3.6 270 59 30 6.8 3.7 | -21.0 -5.8 270 54 28 6.6 3.6
21000 -17.8 -0.0 270 55 28 6.8 3.7 | -19.1 -2.4 265 50 26 6.4 3.5
20000 -15.8 3.6 270 53 27 6.8 3.7 | -17.1 1.2 265 47 24 6.4 3.5
19500 -14.8 5.4 270 52 27 6.8 3.7 | -16.2 2.8 265 46 24 6.4 3.5
19000 -13.8 7.2 265 51 26 7.0 3.9 | -15.2 4.6 265 45 23 6.3 3.5
18500 -12.5 9.5 265 49 25 4.7 2.6 | -13.6 7.5 260 43 22 7.5 4.1
18000 -11.9 10.6 265 46 24 4.9 2.7 | -12.5 9.5 260 40 21 7.7 4.2
17500 -11.4 11.5 265 42 22 1.8 1.0 | -11.5 11.3 260 38 20 6.2 3.4
17000 -11.1 12.0 265 37 19 2.1 1.1 | -10.5 13.1 260 35 18 6.3 3.4
16500 -10.8 12.6 265 31 16 5.6 3.1 | -9.6 14.7 265 32 16 7.4 4.1
16000 -9.5 14.9 260 29 15 8.0 4.4 | -8.4 16.9 265 30 16 8.2 4.5
15500 -8.3 17.1 260 27 14 8.5 4.7 | -7.1 19.2 265 29 15 8.6 4.7
15000 -6.9 19.6 260 26 13 9.8 5.4 | -5.7 21.7 265 28 15 10.0 5.5
14500 -5.4 22.3 260 26 13 9.7 5.3 | -4.2 24.4 265 28 14 9.9 5.4
14000 -4.0 24.8 260 25 13 9.5 5.2 | -2.8 27.0 265 28 14 9.6 5.3
13500 -2.6 27.3 260 25 13 9.5 5.2 | -1.3 29.7 270 28 14 9.6 5.3
13000 -1.2 29.8 260 25 13 9.4 5.2 | 0.1 32.2 270 28 14 9.5 5.2
12500 0.2 32.4 260 25 13 9.4 5.1 | 1.5 34.7 270 27 14 9.4 5.2
12000 1.7 35.1 260 25 13 9.8 5.4 | 3.0 37.4 270 27 14 9.9 5.4
11500 3.1 37.6 260 25 13 9.7 5.3 | 4.5 40.1 270 27 14 9.7 5.3
11000 4.6 40.3 260 24 12 9.5 5.2 | 5.9 42.6 270 27 14 9.5 5.2
10500 6.0 42.8 260 24 12 9.8 5.4 | 7.3 45.1 270 27 14 9.9 5.4
10250 6.7 44.1 260 24 12 9.1 5.0 | 8.1 46.6 270 27 14 9.5 5.2
10000 7.4 45.3 260 23 12 9.2 5.0 | 8.8 47.8 270 27 14 9.6 5.2
9750 8.1 46.6 260 23 12 10.0 5.5 | 9.5 49.1 270 28 14 10.1 5.5
9500 8.9 48.0 260 23 12 9.4 5.2 | 10.3 50.5 270 28 14 9.5 5.2
9250 9.6 49.3 260 23 12 11.0 6.0 | 11.0 51.8 270 28 14 11.3 6.2
9000 10.5 50.9 265 22 12 10.7 5.9 | 11.9 53.4 270 28 14 10.6 5.8
8750 11.2 52.2 265 22 11 9.1 5.0 | 12.6 54.7 270 28 14 8.5 4.6
8500 11.9 53.4 265 22 11 9.3 5.1 | 13.2 55.8 270 28 14 8.9 4.9
8250 12.6 54.7 265 22 11 9.9 5.4 | 13.9 57.0 270 28 14 9.2 5.1
8000 13.4 56.1 265 21 11 10.6 5.8 | 14.6 58.3 270 27 14 9.9 5.4
7750 14.1 57.4 265 21 11 10.3 5.6 | 15.4 59.7 270 27 14 9.9 5.4
7500 14.9 58.8 265 21 11 10.4 5.7 | 16.1 61.0 265 27 14 9.9 5.4
7250 15.7 60.3 265 20 10 10.8 5.9 | 16.8 62.2 265 27 14 10.1 5.6
7000 16.5 61.7 265 20 10 11.5 6.3 | 17.6 63.7 265 26 13 10.4 5.7
6750 17.4 63.3 265 19 10 9.9 5.4 | 18.4 65.1 265 25 13 9.9 5.4
6500 18.2 64.8 265 18 9 15.0 8.2 | 19.1 66.4 265 23 12 11.1 6.1
6250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
________________________________________________________________________________
This product is issued once per day, at approximately 730 AM local
time. It is not continuously monitored nor updated after its initial
issuance.
The information contained herein is based on numerical weather prediction
model data for the Moriarty Municipal Airport site in Moriarty, New Mexico at
North Latitude: 34.9781667 deg
West Longitude: 106.0000278 deg
Elevation: 6204.2 feet (1891.0 meters)
and may not be representative of other areas along and east of the Sandia
and Manzano Mountains. Note that some elevations in numerical weather
prediction models differ from actual station elevations, which can lead to
data which appear to be below ground. Erroneous data such as these should
not be used.
The content and format of this report as well as the issuance times are subject
to change without prior notice. Comments are welcome and should be directed
to one of the addresses or phone numbers shown at the bottom of this page.
DEFINITIONS:
CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) - An integrated measure of the
energy available for convective development, also known as the positive
area on a thermodynamic diagram. Units are Joules per kilogram. Larger
values are indicative of greater instability and the possibility of
stronger convective activity, including thunderstorms. Values around or
greater than 1000 suggest the possibility of severe weather should
convective activity develop.
CINH (Convective Inhibition) - An integrated measure of the amount of energy
needed to initiate convective activity, also known as the negative area on
a thermodynamic diagram. Units are Joules per kilogram. The more negative
this number, the more energy is required to initiate convection. This
inhibitive energy can be overcome through surface heating, cooling aloft,
lifting mechanisms (orographic, frontal, gravity waves, etc.)
Convective Condensation Level - The height to which an air parcel possessing the
average saturation mixing ratio in the lowest 4000 feet of the airmass,
if heated sufficiently from below, will rise dry adiabatically until it
just becomes saturated. It estimates the base of cumulus clouds that are
produced by surface heating only.
Convection Temperature (ConvectionT) - The surface temperature required to make
the airmass dry adiabatic up to the given level. It can be considered a
"trigger temperature" for that level.
Freezing Level - The height where the temperature is zero degrees Celsius.
Height of Stable Layer - The height (between 12,000 and 18,000 feet above
mean sea level) where the smallest lapse rate exists. The location and
existence of this feature is important in the generation of mountain
waves.
K Index - A measure of stability which combines the temperature difference
between approximately 5,000 and 18,000 feet above the surface, the amount
of moisture at approximately 5,000 feet above the surface, and a measure
of the dryness at approximately 10,000 feet above the surface. Larger
positive numbers indicate more instability and a greater likelihood of
thunderstorm development. One interpretation of K index values regarding
soaring in the western United States is given in WMO Technical Note 158
and is reproduced in the following table:
below -10 no or weak thermals
-10 to 5 dry thermals or 1/8 cumulus with moderate thermals
5 to 15 good soaring conditions
15 to 20 good soaring conditions with occasional showers
20 to 30 excellent soaring conditions, but increasing
probability of showers and thunderstorms
above 30 more than 60 percent probability of thunderstorms
Lapse Rate - The change with height of the temperature. Negative values indicate
inversions.
Lifted Condensation Level - The height to which an air parcel possessing the
average dew point in the lowest 4000 feet of the airmass and the forecast
maximum temperature must be lifted dry adiabatically to attain saturation.
Lifted Index (LI) - The difference between the environmental temperature at a
level approximately 18,000 feet above the surface and the temperature of
an air parcel lifted dry adiabatically from the surface to its lifted
condensation level and then pseudoadiabatically thereafter to this same
level. The parcel's initial temperature is the forecast maximum
temperature and its dew point is the average dew point in the lowest 4000
feet of the airmass. Negative values are indicative of instability with
positive values showing stable conditions.
Lift Rate - An experimental estimate of the strength of thermals. It is
computed the same way as the maximum rate of lift but uses the actual
level rather than the maximum height of thermals in the calculation.
Also, none of the empirical adjustments based on cloudiness and K-index
are applied to these calculations.
Maximum Height of Thermals - The height where the dry adiabat through the
forecast maximum temperature intersects the environmental temperature.
Maximum Rate of Lift - An estimate of the maximum strength of thermals. It
is computed from an empirical formula which combines the expected maximum
height of thermals with the difference in the environmental temperatures
between the maximum height of thermals and the temperature 4,000 feet
above the ground. After this computation, further empirical adjustments
are made based on the value of the K-index and the amount and opacity of
middle and high level cloudiness expected between the time of trigger
temperature and the time of overdevelopment.
Middle/High Clouds - The amount and opacity of middle (altostratus, altocumulus)
or high (cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus) clouds. Broken means that
between 60% and 90% of the sky is covered by the cloud, with overcast
conditions occurring when more than 90% of the sky is covered by the cloud.
Thin implies that the clouds are predominantly transparent, meaning that
some sunlight is reaching the ground, in contrast to opaque which suggests
that little sunlight is reaching the ground.
Potential Height of Wave - The minimum of the following two heights:
1. Level above the height of stable layer (or 14,000 feet if none exists)
where the wind direction changes by 30 degrees or more
2. Level above the height of stable layer (or 14,000 feet if none exists)
where the wind speed no longer increases with height
PVA/NVA - Positive vorticity advection (PVA)/negative vorticity advection (NVA)
on the 500 millibar isobaric surface (approximately 18,000 feet above mean
sea level). Weak PVA has been shown to assist in mountain wave soaring.
Soaring Window - The time between the time the trigger temperature is reached
and the time of overdevelopment.
Thermal Index - The difference between the environmental temperature and the
temperature at a particular level determined by following the dry adiabat
through the forecast maximum temperature up to that level. Negative values
are indicative of thermal lift.
Thermal Soaring Index - An adjective rating (for sailplanes) based on the
computed maximum rate of lift, and the wind speed and middle and high
cloud cover expected during the soaring window (the time of the trigger
temperature and the time of overdevelopment) according to the following:
Maximum rate of lift Adjective Rating
>= 800 fpm Excellent
>= 400 and < 800 fpm Good
>= 200 and < 400 fpm Fair
< 200 fpm Poor
Time of Overdevelopment - The time one or more of the following phenomena,
which essentially shut off thermal lift, is expected to occur:
1. formation of broken to overcast convective cloud cover
2. formation of scattered to numerous downbursts
3. initiation of widespread precipitation
Time of Trigger Temperature - The time the surface temperature is expected to
reach the trigger temperature.
Trigger Temperature - The surface temperature required to make the first 4000
feet of the atmosphere dry adiabatic.
Wave Soaring Index - An empirical, adjective rating (for sailplanes) which
attempts to combine a variety of phenomena important in mountain wave
soaring into a single index number. Objective points are assigned to
these phenomena: wind speed and direction at 14,000 ft MSL, the static
stability in the 12,000-18,000 ft MSL layer, the wind speed gradient above
the stable layer, jet stream location and frontal and upper trough
movements.
042613
Soaring Forecast for Albuquerque NM
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
0717 MDT Wednesday April 29 2026
This forecast is for Wednesday, April 29, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 64.8 F/18.2 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 1126 ft/min (5.7 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 18249 ft MSL (12564 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 77.0 F/25.5 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................. 15092 ft MSL (9407 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Thursday 04/30..... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:17:17 / 19:50:20 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 13 hr 33 min 4 sec (813 min 4 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:03:48 MDT... 69.59 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 04/29/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 12184 ft MSL (6499 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 24031 ft MSL (18346 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 22100 ft MSL (16415 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... +4.2
K index......................... -18.5
Height Temperature Wind Wind Spd Lapse Rate ConvectionT Thermal Lift Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft deg C deg F Index fpm m/s
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -61.6 -78.9 265 86 44 -1.6 -0.9 91.8 197.2 38.7 M M
45000 -63.1 -81.6 265 108 55 3.1 1.7 65.2 149.4 25.0 M M
40000 -58.4 -73.1 260 136 70 2.6 1.4 49.9 121.8 16.5 M M
38000 -54.1 -65.4 260 130 67 7.7 4.2 47.2 117.0 15.2 M M
36000 -49.5 -57.1 260 122 63 7.7 4.2 45.6 114.0 14.4 M M
34000 -45.0 -49.0 260 115 59 7.3 4.0 43.8 110.8 13.5 M M
32000 -40.6 -41.1 260 109 56 7.3 4.0 41.7 107.1 12.3 M M
30000 -36.6 -33.9 260 98 51 5.5 3.0 39.2 102.6 10.8 M M
29000 -35.0 -31.0 260 90 46 5.6 3.0 37.5 99.5 9.6 M M
28000 -32.9 -27.2 255 80 41 5.6 3.1 35.6 96.1 8.2 M M
27000 -31.0 -23.8 255 75 39 7.2 3.9 34.3 93.8 7.3 M M
26000 -28.8 -19.8 250 73 38 7.3 4.0 33.3 91.9 6.6 M M
25000 -26.7 -16.1 250 72 37 7.3 4.0 32.4 90.4 5.9 M M
24000 -24.6 -12.3 245 69 36 6.2 3.4 31.5 88.6 5.1 M M
23000 -22.7 -8.9 250 65 34 6.3 3.5 30.1 86.2 4.1 M M
22000 -20.7 -5.3 250 61 31 6.3 3.5 28.9 84.1 3.2 M M
21000 -18.7 -1.7 250 57 29 6.9 3.8 27.8 82.1 2.3 M M
20000 -16.7 1.9 250 52 27 6.9 3.8 26.8 80.2 1.4 M M
19500 -15.6 3.9 250 49 25 6.9 3.8 26.3 79.3 1.0 M M
19000 -14.6 5.7 250 47 24 6.9 3.8 25.8 78.5 0.7 M M
18500 -13.6 7.5 250 44 23 6.9 3.8 25.3 77.6 0.2 M M
18000 -12.5 9.5 250 42 22 6.9 3.8 24.9 76.7 -0.2 1104 5.6
17500 -11.5 11.3 250 40 20 6.7 3.7 24.4 75.9 -0.6 1059 5.4
17000 -10.5 13.1 250 37 19 6.7 3.6 23.8 74.9 -1.1 1014 5.2
16500 -9.5 14.9 250 35 18 6.6 3.6 23.3 74.0 -1.6 969 4.9
16000 -8.5 16.7 250 33 17 6.6 3.6 22.8 73.0 -2.1 925 4.7
15500 -7.5 18.5 250 31 16 6.5 3.6 22.2 72.0 -2.6 880 4.5
15000 -6.5 20.3 250 29 15 6.9 3.8 21.7 71.1 -3.0 835 4.2
14500 -5.5 22.1 250 27 14 6.9 3.8 21.3 70.3 -3.5 790 4.0
14000 -4.4 24.1 250 26 13 7.6 4.1 20.8 69.5 -3.9 743 3.8
13500 -3.3 26.1 250 25 13 7.6 4.2 20.5 68.9 -4.3 694 3.5
13000 -2.1 28.2 250 24 12 7.8 4.3 20.1 68.3 -4.6 645 3.3
12500 -1.0 30.2 255 23 12 7.8 4.3 19.8 67.7 -4.9 595 3.0
12000 0.2 32.4 255 22 11 8.0 4.4 19.5 67.1 -5.2 545 2.8
11500 1.4 34.5 255 21 11 8.1 4.5 19.3 66.7 -5.5 494 2.5
11000 2.6 36.7 255 21 11 8.1 4.4 19.0 66.2 -5.8 442 2.2
10500 3.8 38.8 255 20 10 8.3 4.5 18.7 65.7 -6.1 392 2.0
10250 4.5 40.1 260 19 10 8.9 4.9 18.6 65.6 -6.2 365 1.9
10000 5.8 42.4 260 19 10 8.4 4.6 18.5 65.3 -6.4 311 1.6
9750 6.4 43.5 260 19 10 8.5 4.7 18.4 65.1 -6.5 285 1.4
9500 7.0 44.6 260 18 9 8.3 4.6 18.3 64.9 -6.6 259 1.3
9250 7.6 45.7 260 18 9 7.9 4.3 18.1 64.7 -6.8 233 1.2
9000 8.2 46.8 260 17 9 7.7 4.2 18.0 64.4 -7.0 209 1.1
8750 8.8 47.8 260 17 8 7.9 4.3 17.8 64.1 -7.1 184 0.9
8500 9.4 48.9 260 16 8 7.4 4.1 17.7 63.8 -7.3 159 0.8
8250 9.9 49.8 260 16 8 6.4 3.5 17.5 63.4 -7.6 137 0.7
8000 10.3 50.5 260 15 8 6.2 3.4 17.2 62.9 -7.9 116 0.6
7750 10.8 51.4 260 14 7 6.3 3.5 16.9 62.5 -8.2 94 0.5
7500 11.2 52.2 260 13 7 6.0 3.3 16.7 62.0 -8.5 74 0.4
7250 11.6 52.9 260 13 7 3.4 1.9 16.3 61.3 -8.8 55 0.3
7000 11.8 53.2 255 11 6 1.9 1.0 15.7 60.3 -9.4 43 0.2
6750 11.9 53.4 250 9 5 2.2 1.2 15.1 59.3 -10.0 31 0.2
6500 12.0 53.6 245 8 4 1.2 0.6 14.5 58.2 -10.7 19 0.1
6250 12.2 54.0 230 6 3 3.0 1.6 13.9 57.1 -11.3 9 0.0
6000 12.2 54.0 230 5 3 -6.2 -3.4 13.2 55.8 -12.0 M M
5750 9.5 49.1 170 4 2 -84.7 -46.4 9.8 49.6 -15.5 74 0.4
5500 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
04/29/2026 at 0900 MDT | 04/29/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +6.0 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +7.2
CINH... 0.0 K Index... -15.9 | CINH... 0.0 K Index... -6.0
|
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 -61.6 -78.9 265 80 41 -1.8 -1.0 | -62.5 -80.5 265 73 38 -1.2 -0.7
45000 -63.4 -82.1 265 102 53 3.5 1.9 | -63.4 -82.1 265 94 48 3.9 2.1
40000 -58.0 -72.4 265 127 66 3.4 1.9 | -57.5 -71.5 265 116 60 3.6 2.0
38000 -53.8 -64.8 265 125 65 7.7 4.2 | -53.1 -63.6 265 115 59 8.0 4.4
36000 -48.6 -55.5 265 120 62 7.7 4.2 | -47.7 -53.9 260 111 57 8.0 4.4
34000 -44.1 -47.4 265 114 59 7.4 4.1 | -43.3 -45.9 260 108 55 6.7 3.7
32000 -39.6 -39.3 265 108 56 7.4 4.1 | -39.3 -38.7 265 103 53 6.7 3.7
30000 -36.0 -32.8 260 98 51 4.5 2.5 | -35.6 -32.1 265 96 49 5.7 3.1
29000 -34.7 -30.5 260 92 47 4.5 2.5 | -33.9 -29.0 260 90 46 5.7 3.1
28000 -33.3 -27.9 255 85 44 4.5 2.5 | -32.2 -26.0 260 85 44 5.7 3.2
27000 -31.7 -25.1 255 80 41 7.2 3.9 | -30.4 -22.7 255 80 41 6.2 3.4
26000 -29.6 -21.3 255 77 39 7.1 3.9 | -28.6 -19.5 255 76 39 6.2 3.4
25000 -27.6 -17.7 255 74 38 7.1 3.9 | -26.7 -16.1 255 73 37 6.3 3.4
24000 -25.5 -13.9 255 71 37 7.3 4.0 | -24.9 -12.8 255 69 36 7.1 3.9
23000 -22.7 -8.9 255 69 35 7.4 4.0 | -22.2 -8.0 260 64 33 7.1 3.9
22000 -20.5 -4.9 255 67 34 7.3 4.0 | -20.1 -4.2 260 61 31 7.1 3.9
21000 -18.5 -1.3 255 63 32 6.1 3.4 | -18.0 -0.4 265 58 30 7.0 3.8
20000 -16.7 1.9 255 57 29 6.1 3.4 | -15.9 3.4 265 55 28 7.0 3.8
19500 -15.7 3.7 260 54 28 6.1 3.4 | -14.9 5.2 265 54 28 6.9 3.8
19000 -14.8 5.4 260 52 27 6.1 3.4 | -13.8 7.2 265 53 27 6.7 3.7
18500 -13.9 7.0 260 48 25 6.1 3.3 | -12.9 8.8 265 51 26 5.7 3.1
18000 -12.9 8.8 260 45 23 6.1 3.3 | -12.1 10.2 265 49 25 5.7 3.1
17500 -12.0 10.4 260 41 21 6.3 3.5 | -11.2 11.8 265 47 24 5.6 3.1
17000 -11.1 12.0 260 39 20 6.4 3.5 | -10.4 13.3 265 45 23 5.6 3.1
16500 -10.1 13.8 260 36 18 6.6 3.6 | -9.5 14.9 265 42 22 5.5 3.0
16000 -9.1 15.6 260 34 17 6.8 3.7 | -8.7 16.3 265 39 20 5.4 3.0
15500 -8.1 17.4 260 32 16 6.8 3.7 | -7.9 17.8 270 36 18 5.5 3.0
15000 -7.0 19.4 260 30 15 7.0 3.8 | -7.0 19.4 270 33 17 5.8 3.2
14500 -6.0 21.2 260 28 15 6.9 3.8 | -6.2 20.8 270 29 15 5.8 3.2
14000 -4.9 23.2 260 27 14 7.2 4.0 | -5.3 22.5 270 26 13 5.3 2.9
13500 -3.9 25.0 260 26 13 7.2 4.0 | -4.6 23.7 270 23 12 5.2 2.9
13000 -2.8 27.0 260 24 13 7.3 4.0 | -3.7 25.3 265 20 10 7.1 3.9
12500 -1.7 28.9 260 23 12 7.3 4.0 | -2.6 27.3 265 18 9 7.4 4.1
12000 -0.6 30.9 260 22 11 7.7 4.2 | -1.4 29.5 265 16 8 8.7 4.8
11500 0.6 33.1 260 21 11 7.8 4.3 | -0.1 31.8 265 15 8 9.2 5.0
11000 1.7 35.1 260 20 10 7.6 4.2 | 1.3 34.3 265 15 8 9.1 5.0
10500 2.8 37.0 260 19 10 7.6 4.2 | 2.7 36.9 260 14 7 9.3 5.1
10250 3.4 38.1 255 19 10 8.0 4.4 | 3.4 38.1 260 14 7 9.8 5.4
10000 4.0 39.2 255 18 9 7.8 4.3 | 4.1 39.4 260 14 7 9.5 5.2
9750 4.6 40.3 255 18 9 7.6 4.2 | 4.8 40.6 260 14 7 9.4 5.2
9500 5.2 41.4 255 18 9 7.7 4.2 | 5.5 41.9 260 13 7 9.5 5.2
9250 5.7 42.3 255 18 9 7.4 4.1 | 6.2 43.2 260 13 7 9.7 5.3
9000 6.2 43.2 255 17 9 7.0 3.8 | 6.9 44.4 260 13 7 9.8 5.4
8750 7.3 45.1 255 16 8 7.1 3.9 | 8.4 47.1 260 13 7 9.8 5.4
8500 7.8 46.0 255 15 8 6.7 3.7 | 9.1 48.4 260 13 7 9.1 5.0
8250 8.3 46.9 250 15 8 6.3 3.4 | 9.8 49.6 260 12 6 9.5 5.2
8000 8.7 47.7 250 14 7 6.4 3.5 | 10.5 50.9 260 12 6 10.5 5.8
7750 9.2 48.6 250 13 7 6.4 3.5 | 11.3 52.3 260 12 6 10.2 5.6
7500 9.6 49.3 245 13 6 6.2 3.4 | 12.0 53.6 260 12 6 9.5 5.2
7250 10.1 50.2 245 12 6 7.3 4.0 | 12.8 55.0 260 12 6 10.1 5.5
7000 10.7 51.3 245 11 6 8.1 4.5 | 13.6 56.5 260 11 6 11.1 6.1
6750 11.3 52.3 240 11 5 8.3 4.6 | 14.4 57.9 260 11 6 10.6 5.8
6500 12.0 53.6 240 10 5 9.2 5.0 | 15.2 59.4 260 11 6 10.7 5.9
6250 12.6 54.7 240 10 5 8.9 4.9 | 16.0 60.8 260 10 5 9.7 5.3
6000 13.4 56.1 240 9 5 12.5 6.8 | 16.8 62.2 260 10 5 15.1 8.3
5750 14.9 58.8 235 8 4 34.5 18.9 | 19.1 66.4 260 9 5 58.9 32.3
5500 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
04/29/2026 at 1500 MDT | 04/29/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +3.5 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +2.3
CINH... -0.0 K Index... +5.8 | CINH... 0.0 K Index... +7.0
|
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 -62.5 -80.5 265 70 36 -0.4 -0.2 | -62.7 -80.9 265 72 37 -0.4 -0.2
45000 -62.4 -80.3 270 87 45 3.4 1.9 | -62.5 -80.5 265 92 48 3.7 2.0
40000 -57.2 -71.0 265 117 60 2.9 1.6 | -56.9 -70.4 255 134 69 3.2 1.7
38000 -51.9 -61.4 260 117 60 8.4 4.6 | -52.3 -62.1 260 132 68 8.2 4.5
36000 -46.9 -52.4 260 116 60 8.4 4.6 | -46.8 -52.2 265 129 66 8.2 4.5
34000 -42.4 -44.3 260 112 58 6.9 3.8 | -42.2 -44.0 265 121 62 7.2 3.9
32000 -38.3 -36.9 265 105 54 6.9 3.8 | -37.9 -36.2 265 110 57 7.2 3.9
30000 -34.5 -30.1 265 97 50 5.7 3.2 | -34.2 -29.6 265 99 51 5.1 2.8
29000 -32.8 -27.0 265 92 47 5.7 3.2 | -32.7 -26.9 265 93 48 5.1 2.8
28000 -31.1 -24.0 265 87 45 5.7 3.1 | -31.1 -24.0 270 88 45 5.1 2.8
27000 -29.4 -20.9 265 82 42 5.0 2.7 | -29.7 -21.5 270 82 42 4.3 2.4
26000 -27.9 -18.2 265 78 40 5.1 2.8 | -28.4 -19.1 270 75 38 4.4 2.4
25000 -26.5 -15.7 265 73 38 5.1 2.8 | -27.1 -16.8 270 68 35 4.5 2.5
24000 -24.9 -12.8 265 68 35 7.0 3.8 | -25.7 -14.3 270 61 31 6.6 3.6
23000 -22.2 -8.0 265 62 32 7.2 3.9 | -23.7 -10.7 265 56 29 6.8 3.7
22000 -20.0 -4.0 270 57 30 7.1 3.9 | -21.2 -6.2 265 50 26 6.8 3.7
21000 -18.1 -0.6 270 54 28 5.8 3.2 | -19.1 -2.4 260 46 24 6.9 3.8
20000 -16.4 2.5 270 50 26 5.8 3.2 | -17.1 1.2 260 43 22 6.9 3.8
19500 -15.5 4.1 270 49 25 5.8 3.2 | -16.0 3.2 255 42 21 6.9 3.8
19000 -14.7 5.5 265 47 24 5.6 3.1 | -15.0 5.0 255 40 21 6.9 3.8
18500 -13.9 7.0 265 44 23 4.8 2.6 | -14.0 6.8 255 38 19 6.8 3.8
18000 -13.2 8.2 270 40 21 4.9 2.7 | -13.0 8.6 250 35 18 6.8 3.7
17500 -12.5 9.5 270 36 19 4.9 2.7 | -11.9 10.6 250 33 17 7.7 4.2
17000 -11.8 10.8 270 32 16 5.0 2.7 | -10.8 12.6 250 30 16 7.7 4.2
16500 -11.1 12.0 270 28 14 6.5 3.6 | -9.6 14.7 255 28 15 7.8 4.3
16000 -9.8 14.4 265 26 14 8.9 4.9 | -8.4 16.9 260 27 14 7.9 4.3
15500 -8.4 16.9 265 25 13 9.0 4.9 | -7.2 19.0 260 25 13 8.0 4.4
15000 -7.0 19.4 265 25 13 9.7 5.3 | -5.9 21.4 265 24 12 9.4 5.1
14500 -5.6 21.9 265 24 13 9.7 5.3 | -4.6 23.7 265 24 12 9.2 5.1
14000 -4.1 24.6 265 24 12 9.5 5.2 | -3.1 26.4 270 23 12 9.7 5.3
13500 -2.7 27.1 265 24 12 9.5 5.2 | -1.7 28.9 270 23 12 9.7 5.3
13000 -1.3 29.7 265 24 12 9.7 5.3 | -0.2 31.6 270 23 12 9.7 5.3
12500 0.2 32.4 265 23 12 9.7 5.3 | 1.2 34.2 270 23 12 9.7 5.3
12000 1.6 34.9 265 23 12 9.7 5.3 | 2.7 36.9 270 23 12 9.7 5.3
11500 3.1 37.6 265 23 12 9.7 5.3 | 4.1 39.4 270 23 12 9.7 5.3
11000 4.5 40.1 265 23 12 9.4 5.2 | 5.6 42.1 270 23 12 9.7 5.3
10500 5.9 42.6 265 23 12 9.7 5.3 | 7.0 44.6 270 24 12 9.7 5.3
10250 6.6 43.9 260 23 12 10.3 5.6 | 7.7 45.9 270 24 12 9.6 5.3
10000 7.4 45.3 260 23 12 9.7 5.3 | 8.5 47.3 270 24 12 9.8 5.4
9750 8.1 46.6 260 23 12 9.5 5.2 | 9.2 48.6 270 24 12 9.9 5.5
9500 8.8 47.8 260 22 12 9.6 5.2 | 9.9 49.8 270 24 12 9.8 5.4
9250 9.5 49.1 260 22 12 9.5 5.2 | 10.7 51.3 270 24 12 9.6 5.3
9000 10.2 50.4 260 22 11 9.5 5.2 | 11.4 52.5 270 24 12 9.4 5.2
8750 11.0 51.8 260 22 11 9.6 5.3 | 12.1 53.8 270 24 12 9.5 5.2
8500 12.4 54.3 260 22 11 10.7 5.9 | 12.8 55.0 270 24 12 9.2 5.0
8250 13.2 55.8 260 22 11 11.0 6.0 | 13.5 56.3 270 24 12 10.2 5.6
8000 14.0 57.2 260 22 11 9.8 5.4 | 15.0 59.0 270 24 12 9.5 5.2
7750 14.7 58.5 260 22 11 10.2 5.6 | 15.8 60.4 270 24 12 10.0 5.5
7500 15.5 59.9 255 21 11 9.6 5.3 | 16.5 61.7 270 24 12 8.9 4.9
7250 16.2 61.2 255 21 11 10.0 5.5 | 17.1 62.8 270 24 12 9.2 5.1
7000 17.0 62.6 255 21 11 10.8 5.9 | 17.9 64.2 270 24 12 10.6 5.8
6750 17.8 64.0 255 21 11 10.7 5.9 | 18.7 65.7 270 23 12 10.3 5.6
6500 18.6 65.5 255 20 10 10.0 5.5 | 19.4 66.9 270 23 12 10.2 5.6
6250 19.5 67.1 255 20 10 16.8 9.2 | 20.2 68.4 270 23 12 12.5 6.8
6000 21.3 70.3 255 18 9 29.9 16.4 | 21.3 70.3 270 20 11 16.8 9.2
5750 23.0 73.4 255 16 8 6.1 3.3 | 22.4 72.3 270 18 9 8.9 4.9
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
0719 MDT Wednesday April 29 2026
This forecast is for Wednesday, April 29, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 60.4 F/15.8 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 1138 ft/min (5.8 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 18860 ft MSL (12396 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 72.0 F/22.7 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1130 MDT
Time of overdevelopment........................ None
Middle/high clouds during soaring window....... None
Surface winds during soaring window............ 20 mph or less
Height of the -3 thermal index................. 15160 ft MSL (8696 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Thursday 04/30..... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:14:13 / 19:49:11 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 13 hr 34 min 58 sec (814 min 58 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:01:42 MDT... 69.03 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 04/29/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 12025 ft MSL (5561 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 22086 ft MSL (15622 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 21116 ft MSL (14652 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... +3.5
K index......................... -7.3
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 -61.4 -78.5 260 81 41 -1.3 -0.7 89.2 192.5 39.1 M M
45000 -62.7 -80.9 260 103 53 2.9 1.6 63.5 146.3 25.8 M M
40000 -58.2 -72.8 265 132 68 2.8 1.5 47.9 118.3 17.2 M M
38000 -54.2 -65.6 265 130 67 7.4 4.1 44.9 112.8 15.6 M M
36000 -49.7 -57.5 265 125 64 7.4 4.1 43.0 109.4 14.7 M M
34000 -45.4 -49.7 260 120 62 7.0 3.9 41.0 105.7 13.6 M M
32000 -41.2 -42.2 260 113 58 7.0 3.9 38.7 101.7 12.3 M M
30000 -37.4 -35.3 260 102 53 5.2 2.9 36.1 96.9 10.6 M M
29000 -35.4 -31.7 255 90 47 5.2 2.9 33.8 92.8 8.9 M M
28000 -33.8 -28.8 255 81 42 5.3 2.9 32.2 89.9 7.8 M M
27000 -32.0 -25.6 250 76 39 7.5 4.1 30.9 87.5 6.8 M M
26000 -29.8 -21.6 250 74 38 7.5 4.1 29.9 85.9 6.1 M M
25000 -27.5 -17.5 245 72 37 7.6 4.2 29.2 84.5 5.5 M M
24000 -25.4 -13.7 245 70 36 6.0 3.3 28.3 82.9 4.8 M M
23000 -23.5 -10.3 245 66 34 6.1 3.4 26.9 80.4 3.8 M M
22000 -21.7 -7.1 250 62 32 6.2 3.4 25.7 78.2 2.8 M M
21000 -19.7 -3.5 250 58 30 6.9 3.8 24.5 76.1 1.8 M M
20000 -17.7 0.1 250 53 27 6.8 3.8 23.4 74.2 0.9 M M
19500 -16.6 2.1 250 50 26 6.8 3.8 23.0 73.3 0.5 M M
19000 -15.6 3.9 250 47 24 6.8 3.7 22.5 72.5 0.1 M M
18500 -14.6 5.7 255 45 23 7.1 3.9 22.0 71.7 -0.3 1107 5.6
18000 -13.5 7.7 255 43 22 7.1 3.9 21.6 70.8 -0.7 1060 5.4
17500 -12.4 9.7 255 40 21 7.0 3.9 21.1 70.0 -1.1 1014 5.1
17000 -11.4 11.5 255 39 20 7.0 3.9 20.7 69.2 -1.5 967 4.9
16500 -10.3 13.5 255 37 19 7.1 3.9 20.2 68.4 -1.9 921 4.7
16000 -9.2 15.4 255 35 18 7.3 4.0 19.8 67.6 -2.3 873 4.4
15500 -8.1 17.4 250 33 17 7.3 4.0 19.4 66.9 -2.7 826 4.2
15000 -7.0 19.4 250 32 16 7.5 4.1 19.0 66.2 -3.1 778 4.0
14500 -5.9 21.4 250 30 15 7.5 4.1 18.6 65.5 -3.4 730 3.7
14000 -4.8 23.4 250 28 15 7.5 4.1 18.2 64.8 -3.8 682 3.5
13500 -3.7 25.3 250 26 13 7.5 4.1 17.9 64.1 -4.2 634 3.2
13000 -2.6 27.3 250 24 12 7.8 4.3 17.5 63.5 -4.6 586 3.0
12500 -0.9 30.4 250 21 11 8.0 4.4 17.1 62.7 -5.0 511 2.6
12000 0.4 32.7 250 19 10 8.4 4.6 16.8 62.3 -5.3 460 2.3
11500 1.6 34.9 245 17 9 8.2 4.5 16.6 61.9 -5.6 408 2.1
11000 2.8 37.0 245 15 8 7.8 4.3 16.3 61.4 -5.9 358 1.8
10500 3.9 39.0 240 13 7 8.4 4.6 16.0 60.8 -6.2 308 1.6
10250 4.6 40.3 235 12 6 7.6 4.2 15.9 60.7 -6.3 282 1.4
10000 5.1 41.2 225 11 6 6.3 3.4 15.7 60.2 -6.6 259 1.3
9750 5.6 42.1 220 11 5 6.7 3.7 15.4 59.7 -6.8 237 1.2
9500 6.1 43.0 210 10 5 6.2 3.4 15.2 59.3 -7.1 215 1.1
9250 6.5 43.7 205 10 5 4.8 2.7 14.9 58.7 -7.4 195 1.0
9000 6.8 44.2 195 10 5 5.0 2.8 14.5 58.0 -7.8 177 0.9
8750 7.2 45.0 185 10 5 5.8 3.2 14.1 57.4 -8.2 157 0.8
8500 7.7 45.9 180 11 6 5.2 2.9 13.8 56.9 -8.5 137 0.7
8250 8.0 46.4 170 12 6 4.1 2.2 13.4 56.2 -8.9 120 0.6
8000 8.3 46.9 160 13 6 3.3 1.8 13.0 55.3 -9.4 105 0.5
7750 8.5 47.3 155 12 6 3.8 2.1 12.5 54.5 -9.9 90 0.5
7500 8.7 47.7 150 12 6 1.8 1.0 12.0 53.6 -10.4 75 0.4
7250 8.7 47.7 145 11 6 -1.1 -0.6 11.3 52.3 -11.2 68 0.3
7000 8.7 47.7 140 10 5 0.7 0.4 10.5 50.9 -12.0 63 0.3
6750 8.5 47.3 140 9 5 -8.1 -4.4 9.6 49.3 -12.9 59 0.3
6500 6.1 43.0 140 6 3 -71.1 -39.0 6.4 43.6 -16.1 125 0.6
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
04/29/2026 at 0900 MDT | 04/29/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +5.4 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +5.2
CINH... 0.0 K Index... -6.8 | CINH... 0.0 K Index... +1.7
|
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 -61.2 -78.2 265 72 37 -1.5 -0.8 | -61.4 -78.5 265 70 36 -1.2 -0.7
45000 -62.7 -80.9 265 89 46 3.1 1.7 | -62.4 -80.3 265 91 47 3.3 1.8
40000 -57.9 -72.2 265 125 64 2.8 1.6 | -57.3 -71.1 265 122 63 3.0 1.7
38000 -53.6 -64.5 265 125 65 7.9 4.3 | -53.2 -63.8 265 121 62 7.4 4.1
36000 -48.8 -55.8 265 123 63 7.9 4.3 | -48.8 -55.8 265 117 60 7.4 4.1
34000 -44.4 -47.9 265 119 61 6.8 3.7 | -44.4 -47.9 265 113 58 7.2 3.9
32000 -40.3 -40.5 265 112 58 6.8 3.7 | -40.1 -40.2 265 110 57 7.2 3.9
30000 -36.7 -34.1 265 102 53 4.3 2.3 | -36.5 -33.7 265 102 53 4.1 2.3
29000 -35.1 -31.2 260 93 48 4.3 2.4 | -34.9 -30.8 265 93 48 4.2 2.3
28000 -33.9 -29.0 255 86 44 4.4 2.4 | -33.7 -28.7 260 86 44 4.3 2.4
27000 -32.2 -26.0 255 82 42 7.3 4.0 | -31.9 -25.4 260 81 42 7.8 4.3
26000 -30.0 -22.0 255 79 41 7.3 4.0 | -29.6 -21.3 260 77 40 7.8 4.3
25000 -27.8 -18.0 255 76 39 7.4 4.0 | -27.3 -17.1 260 73 38 7.8 4.3
24000 -25.6 -14.1 255 74 38 7.4 4.1 | -25.0 -13.0 265 70 36 7.3 4.0
23000 -23.4 -10.1 255 71 37 7.4 4.1 | -22.8 -9.0 260 68 35 7.4 4.1
22000 -21.2 -6.2 255 68 35 7.4 4.1 | -20.6 -5.1 260 66 34 7.4 4.0
21000 -19.1 -2.4 255 65 33 6.3 3.4 | -18.6 -1.5 260 63 32 5.3 2.9
20000 -17.2 1.0 255 59 30 6.3 3.5 | -17.0 1.4 260 58 30 5.3 2.9
19500 -16.2 2.8 255 56 29 6.3 3.5 | -16.2 2.8 265 56 29 5.3 2.9
19000 -15.3 4.5 255 53 28 6.4 3.5 | -15.4 4.3 265 54 28 5.3 2.9
18500 -14.3 6.3 255 50 26 5.9 3.3 | -14.6 5.7 265 51 26 6.1 3.3
18000 -13.4 7.9 255 46 24 6.0 3.3 | -13.7 7.3 265 49 25 6.0 3.3
17500 -12.5 9.5 255 42 22 6.3 3.5 | -12.8 9.0 265 46 24 6.2 3.4
17000 -11.5 11.3 255 40 20 6.6 3.6 | -11.9 10.6 265 43 22 6.3 3.5
16500 -10.5 13.1 255 37 19 6.6 3.6 | -10.9 12.4 265 40 21 6.4 3.5
16000 -9.5 14.9 255 35 18 6.8 3.7 | -10.0 14.0 270 37 19 6.5 3.6
15500 -8.5 16.7 255 33 17 6.8 3.7 | -9.0 15.8 270 34 17 6.4 3.5
15000 -7.5 18.5 255 31 16 7.0 3.9 | -7.9 17.8 270 31 16 7.1 3.9
14500 -6.4 20.5 255 30 15 7.0 3.9 | -6.9 19.6 265 28 14 7.1 3.9
14000 -5.4 22.3 255 28 15 6.9 3.8 | -5.8 21.6 265 25 13 6.8 3.7
13500 -4.3 24.3 255 27 14 6.9 3.8 | -4.8 23.4 265 23 12 6.7 3.7
13000 -3.3 26.1 255 25 13 7.1 3.9 | -3.8 25.2 265 21 11 7.0 3.9
12500 -2.2 28.0 255 24 12 7.3 4.0 | -2.8 27.0 260 19 10 7.3 4.0
12000 -0.6 30.9 250 21 11 8.2 4.5 | -1.0 30.2 260 16 8 9.5 5.2
11500 0.6 33.1 250 19 10 7.9 4.3 | 0.4 32.7 260 16 8 9.2 5.1
11000 1.7 35.1 250 18 9 7.6 4.2 | 1.8 35.2 255 15 8 9.3 5.1
10500 2.9 37.2 245 17 9 7.1 3.9 | 3.2 37.8 255 15 8 9.3 5.1
10250 3.4 38.1 245 16 8 6.3 3.4 | 3.9 39.0 255 15 8 9.4 5.2
10000 3.8 38.8 245 15 8 6.2 3.4 | 4.6 40.3 250 15 8 9.6 5.2
9750 4.3 39.7 240 14 7 6.4 3.5 | 5.3 41.5 250 14 7 9.5 5.2
9500 4.8 40.6 235 14 7 5.8 3.2 | 6.0 42.8 250 14 7 9.6 5.3
9250 5.1 41.2 230 13 6 3.3 1.8 | 6.7 44.1 250 14 7 9.8 5.4
9000 5.3 41.5 225 12 6 2.8 1.5 | 7.5 45.5 250 14 7 9.8 5.4
8750 5.5 41.9 215 11 6 3.9 2.1 | 8.2 46.8 250 14 7 9.8 5.4
8500 5.8 42.4 200 10 5 2.8 1.6 | 8.9 48.0 245 13 7 9.8 5.4
8250 5.9 42.6 190 10 5 2.0 1.1 | 9.7 49.5 245 13 7 10.1 5.5
8000 6.1 43.0 180 10 5 5.8 3.2 | 10.4 50.7 245 13 7 10.5 5.8
7750 6.7 44.1 175 11 5 8.3 4.6 | 11.2 52.2 245 13 6 10.8 5.9
7500 7.2 45.0 170 11 5 8.1 4.4 | 12.0 53.6 245 12 6 10.5 5.8
7250 7.9 46.2 170 11 6 8.9 4.9 | 12.8 55.0 245 12 6 10.8 5.9
7000 8.5 47.3 165 11 6 8.3 4.6 | 13.6 56.5 245 12 6 9.1 5.0
6750 9.3 48.7 165 11 5 13.1 7.2 | 14.4 57.9 245 11 6 15.5 8.5
6500 11.1 52.0 165 9 5 42.7 23.4 | 17.3 63.1 240 10 5 77.8 42.7
04/29/2026 at 1500 MDT | 04/29/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +3.7 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +3.3
CINH... -0.0 K Index... +6.5 | CINH... 0.0 K Index... +5.9
|
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 -62.3 -80.1 265 72 37 -1.3 -0.7 | -62.5 -80.5 270 70 36 -0.9 -0.5
45000 -63.2 -81.8 265 88 45 4.2 2.3 | -63.0 -81.4 265 92 47 3.7 2.0
40000 -56.9 -70.4 265 118 61 3.9 2.1 | -57.4 -71.3 260 137 71 3.2 1.8
38000 -52.7 -62.9 265 116 59 7.4 4.1 | -52.5 -62.5 265 137 71 8.8 4.8
36000 -48.2 -54.8 260 111 57 7.4 4.1 | -47.2 -53.0 265 135 69 8.8 4.8
34000 -43.7 -46.7 265 108 56 7.6 4.1 | -42.6 -44.7 270 128 66 6.4 3.5
32000 -39.2 -38.6 265 107 55 7.5 4.1 | -38.8 -37.8 270 114 59 6.4 3.5
30000 -35.4 -31.7 265 101 52 4.3 2.4 | -35.6 -32.1 270 99 51 3.7 2.0
29000 -33.8 -28.8 265 92 47 4.4 2.4 | -34.2 -29.6 270 88 45 3.7 2.0
28000 -32.5 -26.5 265 85 44 4.4 2.4 | -33.1 -27.6 265 80 41 3.8 2.1
27000 -30.8 -23.4 265 79 41 6.9 3.8 | -31.6 -24.9 265 72 37 6.8 3.7
26000 -28.8 -19.8 270 74 38 7.0 3.8 | -29.5 -21.1 270 66 34 6.9 3.8
25000 -26.7 -16.1 270 70 36 7.0 3.8 | -27.5 -17.5 270 61 31 6.9 3.8
24000 -24.5 -12.1 270 65 34 7.6 4.2 | -25.4 -13.7 270 56 29 7.5 4.1
23000 -22.2 -8.0 270 62 32 7.5 4.1 | -23.1 -9.6 270 53 27 7.4 4.1
22000 -20.0 -4.0 275 59 30 7.5 4.1 | -20.9 -5.6 270 51 26 7.4 4.1
21000 -18.0 -0.4 270 56 29 5.2 2.9 | -18.7 -1.7 270 48 25 6.8 3.7
20000 -16.4 2.5 270 53 27 5.3 2.9 | -16.7 1.9 270 46 24 6.8 3.7
19500 -15.6 3.9 270 51 26 5.3 2.9 | -15.7 3.7 270 44 23 6.8 3.7
19000 -14.8 5.4 270 50 26 5.6 3.1 | -14.6 5.7 270 43 22 7.0 3.8
18500 -14.3 6.3 270 46 24 1.4 0.8 | -13.9 7.0 265 40 21 3.4 1.9
18000 -14.1 6.6 270 39 20 2.0 1.1 | -13.4 7.9 265 36 19 3.8 2.1
17500 -13.8 7.2 265 33 17 5.4 3.0 | -12.8 9.0 260 33 17 5.8 3.2
17000 -12.7 9.1 265 31 16 7.4 4.0 | -11.8 10.8 260 30 16 6.9 3.8
16500 -11.6 11.1 265 28 14 7.7 4.3 | -10.8 12.6 260 28 14 7.3 4.0
16000 -10.3 13.5 260 27 14 9.4 5.1 | -9.5 14.9 260 27 14 9.4 5.2
15500 -8.9 16.0 260 26 13 9.3 5.1 | -8.1 17.4 260 26 13 9.3 5.1
15000 -7.5 18.5 260 25 13 9.6 5.2 | -6.7 19.9 260 26 13 9.6 5.3
14500 -6.0 21.2 260 25 13 9.5 5.2 | -5.2 22.6 260 25 13 9.6 5.3
14000 -4.6 23.7 260 25 13 9.6 5.3 | -3.8 25.2 265 25 13 9.6 5.3
13500 -3.2 26.2 260 25 13 9.6 5.3 | -2.3 27.9 265 25 13 9.7 5.3
13000 -1.7 28.9 260 25 13 9.5 5.2 | -0.9 30.4 265 25 13 9.6 5.3
12500 -0.3 31.5 255 25 13 9.5 5.2 | 0.6 33.1 265 25 13 9.6 5.3
12000 1.1 34.0 255 24 13 9.5 5.2 | 2.0 35.6 265 25 13 9.7 5.3
11500 3.3 37.9 255 24 12 9.8 5.4 | 4.2 39.6 270 25 13 9.6 5.3
11000 4.7 40.5 255 24 12 9.4 5.2 | 5.6 42.1 270 25 13 9.7 5.3
10500 6.1 43.0 250 24 12 9.9 5.4 | 7.1 44.8 270 25 13 9.8 5.4
10250 6.9 44.4 250 24 12 10.1 5.5 | 7.8 46.0 270 25 13 9.8 5.4
10000 7.6 45.7 250 24 12 9.6 5.3 | 8.6 47.5 270 25 13 9.7 5.3
9750 8.4 47.1 250 24 12 9.5 5.2 | 9.3 48.7 275 25 13 9.6 5.3
9500 9.1 48.4 250 24 12 10.2 5.6 | 10.0 50.0 275 26 13 9.8 5.4
9250 9.9 49.8 250 23 12 10.4 5.7 | 10.7 51.3 275 26 13 9.8 5.4
9000 10.6 51.1 245 23 12 9.8 5.4 | 11.5 52.7 275 26 13 9.6 5.2
8750 11.4 52.5 245 23 12 9.9 5.4 | 12.2 54.0 275 26 13 9.6 5.3
8500 12.1 53.8 245 23 12 10.0 5.5 | 12.9 55.2 275 26 13 9.7 5.3
8250 12.9 55.2 245 23 12 10.6 5.8 | 13.7 56.7 275 26 13 10.0 5.5
8000 13.7 56.7 245 23 12 10.8 5.9 | 14.4 57.9 280 25 13 10.1 5.5
7750 14.5 58.1 245 22 11 10.7 5.9 | 15.2 59.4 280 25 13 9.9 5.4
7500 15.3 59.5 245 22 11 10.4 5.7 | 15.9 60.6 280 24 13 10.0 5.5
7250 16.1 61.0 240 21 11 10.5 5.8 | 16.6 61.9 280 24 12 9.9 5.4
7000 16.8 62.2 240 21 11 9.4 5.2 | 17.4 63.3 280 24 12 12.4 6.8
6750 17.7 63.9 240 20 10 16.8 9.2 | 18.5 65.3 280 21 11 16.6 9.1
6500 20.6 69.1 240 18 9 73.8 40.5 | 19.6 67.3 280 19 10 9.1 5.0
________________________________________________________________________________
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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