A nor'easter will continue to bring significant coastal impacts to the Mid-Atlantic and New England into Monday. Moderate to major coastal flooding, heavy rain, strong winds, and high surf are expected. Hurricane Nolo will remain south of the Big Island of Hawaii with gusty winds and heavy rainfall that may bring significant, life-threatening flooding and mudslides through the weekend. Read More >
Soaring Forecast for Moriarty NM
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
0717 MDT Sunday September 27 2026
This forecast is for Sunday, September 27, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 71.8 F/22.1 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Good
Maximum rate of lift........................ 497 ft/min (2.5 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 13876 ft MSL (7541 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 74.0 F/23.8 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1245 MDT
Time of overdevelopment........................ None
Middle/high clouds during soaring window....... Overcast opaque high
Surface winds during soaring window............ 20 mph or less
Height of the -3 thermal index................. 7410 ft MSL (1076 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Monday 09/28....... Good
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:56:03 / 18:53:45 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 11 hr 57 min 42 sec (717 min 42 sec)
Altitude of sun at 12:54:54 MDT... 53.14 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 09/27/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 14587 ft MSL (8252 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 17196 ft MSL (10861 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 14555 ft MSL (8221 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... +3.1
K index......................... +0.0
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 -65.9 -86.6 280 69 36 1.3 0.7 76.8 170.2 31.7 M M
45000 -61.0 -77.8 280 92 47 7.3 4.0 61.7 143.0 24.3 M M
40000 -50.2 -58.4 280 84 43 6.9 3.8 56.3 133.4 22.3 M M
38000 -46.1 -51.0 275 72 37 6.9 3.8 53.5 128.3 21.0 M M
36000 -41.5 -42.7 265 59 31 7.1 3.9 51.2 124.1 19.9 M M
34000 -37.1 -34.8 270 50 25 7.4 4.0 48.9 120.0 18.7 M M
32000 -32.7 -26.9 275 40 21 7.4 4.1 47.2 117.0 17.8 M M
30000 -28.4 -19.1 275 35 18 7.0 3.9 44.9 112.9 16.5 M M
29000 -26.3 -15.3 275 33 17 7.0 3.9 43.9 111.1 16.0 M M
28000 -24.2 -11.6 270 31 16 6.7 3.7 43.0 109.4 15.4 M M
27000 -22.2 -8.0 275 29 15 6.5 3.6 41.7 107.0 14.6 M M
26000 -20.3 -4.5 275 28 14 6.5 3.6 40.5 104.8 13.8 M M
25000 -18.3 -0.9 275 26 13 6.5 3.6 39.4 102.9 13.1 M M
24000 -16.3 2.7 275 24 12 6.5 3.6 38.1 100.6 12.2 M M
23000 -14.4 6.1 270 22 11 6.5 3.6 36.9 98.5 11.3 M M
22000 -12.4 9.7 270 19 10 6.5 3.6 35.9 96.5 10.6 M M
21000 -10.3 13.5 270 19 10 7.3 4.0 34.9 94.8 9.8 M M
20000 -7.5 18.5 270 18 9 7.3 4.0 33.8 92.8 9.1 M M
19500 -6.4 20.5 265 17 9 7.1 3.9 33.4 92.2 8.8 M M
19000 -5.4 22.3 265 17 9 6.4 3.5 32.9 91.2 8.4 M M
18500 -4.5 23.9 270 16 8 6.5 3.6 32.3 90.2 7.9 M M
18000 -3.6 25.5 270 15 8 5.4 3.0 31.7 89.1 7.4 M M
17500 -2.8 27.0 270 13 7 5.1 2.8 30.9 87.7 6.7 M M
17000 -2.1 28.2 270 12 6 4.7 2.6 30.2 86.3 6.1 M M
16500 -1.6 29.1 275 10 5 2.9 1.6 29.1 84.4 5.1 M M
16000 -1.1 30.0 280 8 4 3.2 1.8 28.0 82.4 4.1 M M
15500 -0.7 30.7 290 7 4 3.2 1.8 26.9 80.5 3.1 M M
15000 -0.3 31.5 295 7 4 3.4 1.9 25.9 78.5 2.0 M M
14500 0.1 32.2 305 7 4 4.7 2.6 24.9 76.8 1.0 M M
14000 0.8 33.4 310 8 4 5.5 3.0 24.1 75.5 0.2 M M
13500 1.4 34.5 310 9 5 7.1 3.9 23.5 74.2 -0.7 670 3.4
13000 2.7 36.9 310 9 5 9.1 5.0 23.3 74.0 -0.9 617 3.1
12500 4.0 39.2 310 9 5 9.4 5.2 23.2 73.8 -1.0 563 2.9
12000 5.4 41.7 310 8 4 10.0 5.5 23.2 73.8 -1.0 505 2.6
11500 6.9 44.4 305 8 4 9.5 5.2 23.3 74.0 -1.0 446 2.3
11000 8.3 46.9 305 7 4 9.8 5.4 23.3 73.9 -1.1 389 2.0
10500 9.8 49.6 300 7 3 9.2 5.1 23.3 73.9 -1.1 331 1.7
10250 10.4 50.7 300 6 3 8.4 4.6 23.2 73.7 -1.2 304 1.5
10000 11.1 52.0 300 6 3 8.9 4.9 23.1 73.6 -1.3 277 1.4
9750 11.7 53.1 300 6 3 9.2 5.1 23.0 73.5 -1.3 249 1.3
9500 12.4 54.3 300 6 3 9.1 5.0 23.0 73.4 -1.4 221 1.1
9250 13.1 55.6 300 6 3 9.3 5.1 23.0 73.3 -1.4 193 1.0
9000 13.8 56.8 300 6 3 8.4 4.6 22.9 73.2 -1.5 166 0.8
8750 14.4 57.9 300 5 3 7.6 4.2 22.8 73.0 -1.6 141 0.7
8500 14.9 58.8 300 5 3 7.8 4.3 22.6 72.7 -1.8 116 0.6
8250 15.5 59.9 300 5 3 7.9 4.3 22.5 72.4 -1.9 92 0.5
8000 16.1 61.0 300 5 3 7.5 4.1 22.3 72.2 -2.1 68 0.3
7750 16.6 61.9 295 5 2 6.7 3.7 22.1 71.8 -2.3 45 0.2
7500 17.0 62.6 295 5 2 4.4 2.4 21.8 71.3 -2.7 25 0.1
7250 17.2 63.0 295 4 2 2.3 1.3 21.3 70.3 -3.2 12 0.1
7000 17.4 63.3 290 4 2 4.3 2.4 20.8 69.4 -3.7 M M
6750 17.6 63.7 290 3 2 -2.2 -1.2 20.3 68.5 -4.3 M M
6500 16.7 62.1 285 3 1 -22.0 -12.1 18.7 65.6 -5.9 5 0.0
6250 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
09/27/2026 at 0900 MDT | 09/27/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +3.0 | CAPE... +1.8 LI... +2.0
CINH... -0.3 K Index... +0.3 | CINH... -0.1 K Index... +3.5
|
Height Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate | Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft | deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -65.4 -85.7 285 62 32 1.8 1.0 | -66.0 -86.8 280 61 32 2.9 1.6
45000 -60.0 -76.0 280 85 44 7.0 3.9 | -58.7 -73.7 280 83 43 7.6 4.1
40000 -49.6 -57.3 280 78 40 6.3 3.5 | -47.9 -54.2 280 77 40 5.8 3.2
38000 -45.3 -49.5 275 67 35 6.3 3.5 | -44.4 -47.9 275 70 36 5.9 3.2
36000 -41.5 -42.7 270 58 30 6.5 3.6 | -40.9 -41.6 275 63 32 6.0 3.3
34000 -37.4 -35.3 270 45 23 6.8 3.7 | -37.1 -34.8 275 49 25 6.5 3.6
32000 -33.4 -28.1 265 32 17 6.7 3.7 | -33.2 -27.8 275 35 18 6.5 3.6
30000 -29.0 -20.2 265 28 15 7.5 4.1 | -28.5 -19.3 270 28 14 7.1 3.9
29000 -26.7 -16.1 265 27 14 7.5 4.1 | -26.4 -15.5 265 26 13 7.1 3.9
28000 -24.6 -12.3 265 26 13 6.4 3.5 | -24.3 -11.7 260 24 12 6.9 3.8
27000 -22.8 -9.0 270 26 13 5.9 3.2 | -22.3 -8.1 265 25 13 7.0 3.8
26000 -21.0 -5.8 270 25 13 5.9 3.2 | -20.2 -4.4 265 26 14 7.0 3.8
25000 -19.3 -2.7 275 25 13 5.9 3.3 | -18.2 -0.8 270 28 14 6.9 3.8
24000 -16.9 1.6 275 25 13 7.9 4.3 | -16.2 2.8 265 26 13 6.5 3.6
23000 -14.5 5.9 275 26 13 8.0 4.4 | -14.2 6.4 265 23 12 6.6 3.6
22000 -12.1 10.2 275 27 14 7.8 4.3 | -12.2 10.0 260 21 11 6.7 3.7
21000 -9.5 14.9 275 23 12 6.7 3.7 | -10.1 13.8 265 19 10 6.9 3.8
20000 -7.5 18.5 275 20 10 6.7 3.7 | -8.0 17.6 275 18 9 7.0 3.8
19500 -6.5 20.3 275 18 9 6.7 3.7 | -6.9 19.6 275 17 9 7.1 3.9
19000 -5.4 22.3 280 17 9 6.7 3.7 | -6.0 21.2 280 16 8 5.7 3.1
18500 -4.4 24.1 280 16 8 6.8 3.7 | -5.1 22.8 275 15 8 5.8 3.2
18000 -3.5 25.7 285 14 7 5.2 2.9 | -4.2 24.4 275 13 7 5.4 2.9
17500 -2.8 27.0 285 13 7 4.9 2.7 | -3.2 26.2 275 10 5 4.3 2.4
17000 -2.0 28.4 290 11 6 4.6 2.5 | -2.5 27.5 275 9 5 4.0 2.2
16500 -1.5 29.3 290 10 5 3.6 2.0 | -2.1 28.2 275 8 4 3.5 1.9
16000 -1.0 30.2 290 8 4 3.8 2.1 | -1.6 29.1 275 7 3 3.6 2.0
15500 -0.5 31.1 295 7 4 4.1 2.2 | -1.1 30.0 275 6 3 4.4 2.4
15000 0.1 32.2 300 6 3 4.2 2.3 | -0.5 31.1 275 5 3 4.5 2.5
14500 0.6 33.1 305 5 3 4.8 2.6 | 0.1 32.2 275 5 2 6.2 3.4
14000 1.2 34.2 310 6 3 5.2 2.9 | 1.0 33.8 275 5 2 6.6 3.6
13500 1.9 35.4 310 6 3 6.5 3.6 | 1.8 35.2 275 5 2 7.7 4.2
13000 2.9 37.2 310 6 3 7.6 4.2 | 3.0 37.4 270 4 2 8.3 4.6
12500 3.9 39.0 305 6 3 8.4 4.6 | 4.2 39.6 265 4 2 8.9 4.9
12000 5.3 41.5 300 5 3 9.6 5.3 | 5.5 41.9 265 4 2 9.5 5.2
11500 6.8 44.2 295 5 3 9.0 5.0 | 6.9 44.4 260 4 2 9.1 5.0
11000 8.1 46.6 285 5 3 9.5 5.2 | 8.3 46.9 260 4 2 9.7 5.3
10500 9.5 49.1 280 5 3 9.3 5.1 | 9.7 49.5 255 4 2 9.3 5.1
10250 10.2 50.4 275 5 3 9.1 5.0 | 10.4 50.7 255 4 2 9.2 5.0
10000 10.9 51.6 275 6 3 9.1 5.0 | 11.1 52.0 250 4 2 9.9 5.4
9750 11.5 52.7 270 6 3 9.1 5.0 | 11.8 53.2 250 4 2 9.9 5.4
9500 12.2 54.0 270 6 3 9.2 5.0 | 12.6 54.7 250 4 2 10.0 5.5
9250 12.9 55.2 270 6 3 9.7 5.3 | 13.3 55.9 250 4 2 10.1 5.5
9000 13.6 56.5 270 6 3 8.6 4.7 | 14.0 57.2 245 3 2 9.9 5.4
8750 14.2 57.6 270 6 3 7.5 4.1 | 14.8 58.6 245 3 2 9.8 5.4
8500 14.7 58.5 265 6 3 7.6 4.2 | 15.5 59.9 240 3 2 9.7 5.3
8250 15.3 59.5 265 6 3 7.4 4.1 | 16.2 61.2 240 3 2 9.4 5.1
8000 15.8 60.4 265 5 3 7.2 4.0 | 16.9 62.4 235 3 1 9.7 5.3
7750 16.3 61.3 265 5 2 6.4 3.5 | 17.6 63.7 235 3 1 10.3 5.7
7500 16.7 62.1 265 4 2 4.9 2.7 | 18.4 65.1 230 3 1 10.2 5.6
7250 17.0 62.6 270 3 2 4.3 2.4 | 19.2 66.6 230 2 1 10.1 5.6
7000 17.3 63.1 270 3 1 4.0 2.2 | 19.9 67.8 225 2 1 9.7 5.3
6750 17.6 63.7 275 2 1 5.2 2.9 | 20.7 69.3 220 2 1 12.0 6.6
6500 18.2 64.8 280 1 0 10.0 5.5 | 21.8 71.2 215 2 1 18.2 10.0
6250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
09/27/2026 at 1500 MDT | 09/27/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +8.1 LI... +2.8 | CAPE... +0.9 LI... +3.1
CINH... -0.9 K Index... +13.4 | CINH... -0.6 K Index... +8.5
|
Height Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate | Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft | deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -66.2 -87.2 285 53 27 3.4 1.9 | -65.9 -86.6 280 54 28 3.4 1.9
45000 -59.0 -74.2 280 70 36 7.7 4.2 | -58.2 -72.8 280 75 38 7.3 4.0
40000 -47.4 -53.3 275 76 39 5.4 3.0 | -47.7 -53.9 270 75 39 5.5 3.0
38000 -44.1 -47.4 275 71 37 5.5 3.0 | -44.4 -47.9 270 70 36 5.6 3.1
36000 -40.9 -41.6 270 66 34 5.6 3.1 | -41.0 -41.8 265 65 33 5.7 3.1
34000 -37.1 -34.8 270 53 27 6.4 3.5 | -37.2 -35.0 270 54 28 6.6 3.6
32000 -33.3 -27.9 270 39 20 6.3 3.5 | -32.8 -27.0 270 41 21 6.7 3.7
30000 -28.5 -19.3 270 31 16 7.4 4.0 | -28.3 -18.9 265 34 18 7.7 4.2
29000 -26.4 -15.5 270 29 15 7.4 4.0 | -26.0 -14.8 260 31 16 7.7 4.2
28000 -24.2 -11.6 275 27 14 7.0 3.8 | -23.8 -10.8 260 29 15 6.8 3.7
27000 -22.2 -8.0 270 26 14 6.9 3.8 | -21.8 -7.2 260 30 16 6.7 3.7
26000 -20.1 -4.2 265 26 14 7.0 3.8 | -19.9 -3.8 260 32 16 6.7 3.7
25000 -18.1 -0.6 260 26 14 6.9 3.8 | -17.9 -0.2 260 33 17 6.6 3.6
24000 -16.1 3.0 260 26 14 6.5 3.6 | -16.0 3.2 255 32 17 6.2 3.4
23000 -14.1 6.6 255 26 14 6.6 3.6 | -14.2 6.4 255 31 16 6.2 3.4
22000 -12.0 10.4 250 26 14 6.8 3.7 | -12.4 9.7 250 30 16 6.2 3.4
21000 -9.8 14.4 250 23 12 7.3 4.0 | -10.3 13.5 250 27 14 6.5 3.6
20000 -7.6 18.3 250 20 10 7.4 4.0 | -8.2 17.2 250 23 12 6.8 3.7
19500 -6.5 20.3 250 18 9 7.5 4.1 | -7.1 19.2 245 21 11 7.0 3.8
19000 -5.4 22.3 250 16 8 6.4 3.5 | -6.1 21.0 245 19 10 5.9 3.3
18500 -4.4 24.1 250 16 8 6.3 3.5 | -4.8 23.4 250 17 9 5.9 3.3
18000 -3.5 25.7 250 15 8 5.7 3.1 | -4.0 24.8 250 16 8 4.4 2.4
17500 -2.9 26.8 250 14 7 3.6 2.0 | -3.4 25.9 255 16 8 4.2 2.3
17000 -2.1 28.2 250 13 7 2.4 1.3 | -2.7 27.1 260 15 8 3.7 2.0
16500 -2.1 28.2 250 11 6 -0.3 -0.2 | -2.4 27.7 260 13 7 2.4 1.3
16000 -2.3 27.9 250 9 5 0.1 0.0 | -2.2 28.0 260 10 5 3.0 1.6
15500 -2.0 28.4 255 8 4 7.6 4.2 | -1.6 29.1 260 8 4 7.4 4.1
15000 -1.0 30.2 250 7 3 7.1 3.9 | -0.6 30.9 250 6 3 7.2 4.0
14500 0.0 32.0 250 6 3 9.0 4.9 | 0.4 32.7 240 5 3 9.0 4.9
14000 1.4 34.5 245 6 3 9.5 5.2 | 1.8 35.2 230 5 3 9.5 5.2
13500 2.8 37.0 245 5 3 9.6 5.2 | 3.2 37.8 225 5 3 9.6 5.3
13000 4.3 39.7 240 5 3 9.6 5.3 | 4.7 40.5 220 6 3 9.6 5.3
12500 5.7 42.3 235 5 3 9.6 5.3 | 6.1 43.0 215 6 3 9.7 5.3
12000 7.1 44.8 230 5 2 9.7 5.3 | 7.5 45.5 215 7 3 9.8 5.4
11500 8.6 47.5 225 5 2 9.6 5.3 | 9.0 48.2 210 7 4 9.6 5.2
11000 10.0 50.0 220 5 2 9.6 5.2 | 10.4 50.7 215 7 4 9.4 5.2
10500 11.4 52.5 215 5 2 9.5 5.2 | 11.8 53.2 215 8 4 9.6 5.3
10250 12.1 53.8 215 5 2 9.6 5.3 | 12.5 54.5 215 8 4 9.8 5.4
10000 12.8 55.0 210 5 2 9.7 5.3 | 13.3 55.9 215 8 4 9.7 5.3
9750 13.6 56.5 210 5 2 9.6 5.3 | 14.0 57.2 215 8 4 9.6 5.3
9500 14.3 57.7 205 5 2 10.0 5.5 | 14.7 58.5 215 8 4 9.9 5.4
9250 15.1 59.2 200 5 2 10.8 5.9 | 15.5 59.9 215 8 4 10.7 5.9
9000 15.8 60.4 195 5 2 10.1 5.5 | 16.3 61.3 215 9 4 9.8 5.4
8750 16.6 61.9 195 5 3 9.3 5.1 | 16.9 62.4 220 9 4 8.8 4.8
8500 17.3 63.1 190 5 3 9.7 5.3 | 17.6 63.7 220 9 4 9.4 5.1
8250 18.0 64.4 190 5 3 10.1 5.5 | 18.3 64.9 220 9 5 9.8 5.4
8000 18.7 65.7 185 5 3 10.0 5.5 | 19.1 66.4 220 9 5 9.8 5.4
7750 19.5 67.1 180 5 3 9.8 5.4 | 19.8 67.6 220 9 5 9.5 5.2
7500 20.2 68.4 180 5 3 10.0 5.5 | 20.5 68.9 220 9 5 9.6 5.3
7250 21.0 69.8 180 6 3 10.5 5.7 | 21.2 70.2 225 9 4 9.8 5.4
7000 21.7 71.1 175 6 3 10.0 5.5 | 21.9 71.4 225 8 4 9.9 5.4
6750 22.5 72.5 175 6 3 11.1 6.1 | 22.6 72.7 225 8 4 9.2 5.1
6500 23.5 74.3 170 6 3 16.6 9.1 | 23.2 73.8 225 8 4 6.8 3.7
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
0716 MDT Sunday September 27 2026
This forecast is for Sunday, September 27, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 74.6 F/23.7 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 814 ft/min (4.1 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 14399 ft MSL (8719 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 77.0 F/25.5 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1345 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................. 7187 ft MSL (1507 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Monday 09/28....... Fair
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:58:33 / 18:56:14 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 11 hr 57 min 41 sec (717 min 41 sec)
Altitude of sun at 12:57:24 MDT... 53.09 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 09/27/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 14022 ft MSL (8342 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 13638 ft MSL (7958 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 13801 ft MSL (8121 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... +1.8
K index......................... +11.9
Height Temperature Wind Wind Spd Lapse Rate ConvectionT Thermal Lift Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft deg C deg F Index fpm m/s
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -66.0 -86.8 280 68 35 1.8 1.0 78.9 174.0 31.7 M M
45000 -60.7 -77.3 275 89 46 7.2 3.9 64.6 148.2 24.9 M M
40000 -50.0 -58.0 275 84 43 6.7 3.7 59.0 138.2 22.9 M M
38000 -45.4 -49.7 270 72 37 6.7 3.7 55.8 132.4 21.3 M M
36000 -41.4 -42.5 265 62 32 6.8 3.8 53.6 128.5 20.3 M M
34000 -37.2 -35.0 265 52 27 7.0 3.9 51.1 123.9 18.9 M M
32000 -33.0 -27.4 265 41 21 7.0 3.9 49.1 120.3 17.8 M M
30000 -28.8 -19.8 270 37 19 7.2 4.0 46.9 116.4 16.6 M M
29000 -26.6 -15.9 270 36 18 7.2 4.0 46.0 114.7 16.0 M M
28000 -24.5 -12.1 270 34 18 6.8 3.7 45.2 113.3 15.6 M M
27000 -22.5 -8.5 270 32 17 6.4 3.5 43.8 110.8 14.7 M M
26000 -20.6 -5.1 270 31 16 6.4 3.5 42.5 108.5 13.9 M M
25000 -18.6 -1.5 275 29 15 6.4 3.5 41.4 106.5 13.1 M M
24000 -16.1 3.0 270 27 14 6.8 3.7 39.9 103.8 12.2 M M
23000 -14.0 6.8 270 25 13 6.8 3.8 38.9 101.9 11.5 M M
22000 -11.9 10.6 265 24 12 6.9 3.8 37.9 100.3 10.8 M M
21000 -9.8 14.4 265 22 11 6.8 3.8 36.8 98.2 10.0 M M
20000 -7.8 18.0 265 21 11 6.8 3.8 35.8 96.4 9.3 M M
19500 -6.7 19.9 260 20 10 6.8 3.8 35.3 95.6 8.9 M M
19000 -5.7 21.7 260 19 10 6.8 3.7 34.8 94.7 8.5 M M
18500 -4.7 23.5 265 18 9 6.8 3.7 34.3 93.8 8.2 M M
18000 -3.7 25.3 265 18 9 5.5 3.0 33.8 92.9 7.8 M M
17500 -3.0 26.6 265 16 8 4.7 2.6 32.9 91.3 7.0 M M
17000 -2.3 27.9 265 15 8 4.6 2.5 32.1 89.7 6.2 M M
16500 -2.0 28.4 265 14 7 1.5 0.8 30.9 87.6 5.2 M M
16000 -1.7 28.9 270 12 6 2.1 1.1 29.6 85.3 4.0 M M
15500 -1.5 29.3 275 11 5 1.9 1.1 28.3 83.0 2.7 M M
15000 -1.4 29.5 280 9 5 2.5 1.4 27.0 80.6 1.4 M M
14500 -1.3 29.7 295 8 4 5.6 3.1 25.8 78.5 0.1 M M
14000 -0.1 31.8 300 7 4 8.6 4.7 25.6 78.1 -0.2 777 3.9
13500 1.2 34.2 305 6 3 9.0 5.0 25.5 77.9 -0.4 725 3.7
13000 2.6 36.7 300 5 3 9.9 5.4 25.5 77.8 -0.5 668 3.4
12500 4.0 39.2 290 4 2 9.8 5.4 25.5 77.8 -0.5 610 3.1
12000 5.4 41.7 275 4 2 9.1 5.0 25.4 77.7 -0.6 554 2.8
11500 6.8 44.2 250 3 2 9.2 5.0 25.3 77.6 -0.7 499 2.5
11000 8.1 46.6 235 4 2 9.0 4.9 25.2 77.4 -0.8 444 2.3
10500 9.4 48.9 225 5 2 9.3 5.1 25.1 77.2 -0.9 390 2.0
10250 10.1 50.2 220 5 3 8.9 4.9 25.1 77.1 -1.0 362 1.8
10000 10.7 51.3 220 5 3 8.4 4.6 25.0 76.9 -1.1 336 1.7
9750 11.3 52.3 220 5 3 8.5 4.7 24.9 76.8 -1.2 310 1.6
9500 12.0 53.6 220 5 3 8.6 4.7 24.8 76.6 -1.3 284 1.4
9250 12.6 54.7 215 5 3 8.6 4.7 24.7 76.4 -1.4 257 1.3
9000 13.8 56.8 215 5 3 8.7 4.8 24.5 76.1 -1.6 205 1.0
8750 14.4 57.9 215 5 2 7.6 4.2 24.4 75.9 -1.8 180 0.9
8500 14.9 58.8 215 4 2 7.1 3.9 24.2 75.5 -2.0 157 0.8
8250 15.5 59.9 210 4 2 8.0 4.4 24.0 75.2 -2.2 133 0.7
8000 16.1 61.0 210 3 2 8.5 4.7 23.9 75.0 -2.3 108 0.5
7750 16.7 62.1 205 3 1 7.2 4.0 23.8 74.8 -2.4 83 0.4
7500 17.1 62.8 200 2 1 5.7 3.1 23.5 74.3 -2.7 62 0.3
7250 17.5 63.5 190 1 1 6.2 3.4 23.2 73.8 -3.0 42 0.2
7000 18.0 64.4 160 1 0 6.4 3.5 23.0 73.4 -3.3 21 0.1
6750 18.5 65.3 120 1 0 5.8 3.2 22.7 72.9 -3.6 M M
6500 18.9 66.0 090 1 1 5.0 2.7 22.4 72.3 -3.9 M M
6250 19.2 66.6 075 1 1 6.0 3.3 22.0 71.7 -4.3 M M
6000 19.5 67.1 080 2 1 -2.5 -1.4 21.6 70.8 -4.8 M M
5750 17.6 63.7 075 2 1 -59.9 -32.8 19.0 66.2 -7.4 M M
5500 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
09/27/2026 at 0900 MDT | 09/27/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +2.9 | CAPE... +6.9 LI... +1.7
CINH... -5.9 K Index... +3.0 | CINH... -7.9 K Index... +3.2
|
Height Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate | Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft | deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -65.2 -85.4 285 66 34 2.0 1.1 | -65.5 -85.9 280 60 31 2.7 1.5
45000 -59.6 -75.3 280 88 46 7.1 3.9 | -58.9 -74.0 275 84 43 7.5 4.1
40000 -48.7 -55.7 275 78 40 6.0 3.3 | -47.6 -53.7 275 81 41 5.6 3.1
38000 -45.2 -49.4 275 69 36 6.0 3.3 | -44.2 -47.6 270 73 37 5.7 3.1
36000 -41.6 -42.9 270 61 31 6.2 3.4 | -40.8 -41.4 270 65 33 5.8 3.2
34000 -37.5 -35.5 265 47 24 6.8 3.7 | -37.1 -34.8 270 51 26 6.2 3.4
32000 -33.5 -28.3 260 33 17 6.8 3.7 | -33.4 -28.1 270 37 19 6.1 3.4
30000 -29.3 -20.7 260 29 15 7.1 3.9 | -29.3 -20.7 265 30 15 7.1 3.9
29000 -27.2 -17.0 265 28 15 7.1 3.9 | -27.2 -17.0 260 27 14 7.2 3.9
28000 -25.1 -13.2 265 27 14 6.6 3.6 | -25.0 -13.0 255 24 13 7.3 4.0
27000 -23.2 -9.8 265 26 13 6.3 3.4 | -22.8 -9.0 255 25 13 7.4 4.1
26000 -21.3 -6.3 265 24 12 6.3 3.4 | -20.1 -4.2 260 25 13 7.4 4.1
25000 -19.0 -2.2 270 22 11 7.0 3.9 | -17.9 -0.2 265 26 13 6.7 3.7
24000 -16.6 2.1 270 23 12 7.7 4.2 | -16.0 3.2 260 24 12 6.1 3.3
23000 -14.3 6.3 270 24 12 7.8 4.3 | -14.1 6.6 255 21 11 6.1 3.4
22000 -11.9 10.6 270 25 13 7.5 4.1 | -12.2 10.0 250 19 10 6.9 3.8
21000 -9.7 14.5 270 24 12 7.3 4.0 | -10.0 14.0 255 18 9 7.4 4.1
20000 -7.4 18.7 270 23 12 7.4 4.1 | -7.9 17.8 265 16 8 7.5 4.1
19500 -6.3 20.7 275 22 11 7.3 4.0 | -6.8 19.8 265 16 8 7.4 4.1
19000 -5.3 22.5 275 21 11 6.5 3.6 | -5.8 21.6 265 15 8 5.5 3.0
18500 -4.3 24.3 275 19 10 6.6 3.6 | -4.8 23.4 265 13 7 5.9 3.2
18000 -3.3 26.1 280 17 9 6.0 3.3 | -3.9 25.0 265 12 6 5.3 2.9
17500 -2.5 27.5 280 16 8 5.7 3.1 | -3.2 26.2 260 10 5 5.0 2.7
17000 -1.6 29.1 280 14 7 5.4 3.0 | -2.4 27.7 255 9 5 4.9 2.7
16500 -1.0 30.2 280 12 6 2.9 1.6 | -1.8 28.8 250 8 4 3.6 2.0
16000 -0.6 30.9 280 11 6 3.3 1.8 | -1.2 29.8 250 8 4 3.9 2.1
15500 -0.3 31.5 280 9 5 1.7 1.0 | -0.8 30.6 245 7 4 3.2 1.8
15000 -0.1 31.8 275 8 4 2.0 1.1 | -0.4 31.3 240 6 3 3.5 1.9
14500 0.0 32.0 275 7 4 4.0 2.2 | 0.0 32.0 235 6 3 5.0 2.7
14000 0.7 33.3 270 6 3 5.5 3.0 | 0.8 33.4 230 6 3 6.1 3.3
13500 1.4 34.5 270 5 3 6.8 3.7 | 1.5 34.7 220 6 3 7.2 4.0
13000 2.6 36.7 265 5 2 9.3 5.1 | 2.8 37.0 215 6 3 9.2 5.0
12500 4.0 39.2 255 4 2 9.3 5.1 | 4.1 39.4 210 7 3 9.2 5.1
12000 5.4 41.7 240 5 2 9.7 5.3 | 5.5 41.9 205 8 4 9.6 5.2
11500 6.8 44.2 230 5 3 9.7 5.3 | 7.0 44.6 200 8 4 9.5 5.2
11000 8.2 46.8 225 6 3 8.9 4.9 | 8.3 46.9 200 9 4 9.1 5.0
10500 9.5 49.1 220 6 3 9.3 5.1 | 9.7 49.5 200 9 5 9.6 5.2
10250 10.2 50.4 215 7 4 9.2 5.0 | 10.4 50.7 200 9 5 9.4 5.1
10000 10.8 51.4 215 7 4 8.7 4.8 | 11.1 52.0 200 9 4 8.6 4.7
9750 11.5 52.7 215 7 4 9.2 5.1 | 11.7 53.1 195 8 4 9.4 5.2
9500 12.1 53.8 215 7 4 7.5 4.1 | 12.4 54.3 195 8 4 6.8 3.7
9250 12.6 54.7 210 6 3 7.3 4.0 | 12.7 54.9 195 8 4 6.4 3.5
9000 13.2 55.8 210 6 3 8.6 4.7 | 13.8 56.8 195 7 4 8.2 4.5
8750 14.4 57.9 205 6 3 7.3 4.0 | 14.4 57.9 195 6 3 7.1 3.9
8500 14.9 58.8 205 6 3 6.4 3.5 | 14.9 58.8 195 6 3 7.8 4.3
8250 15.4 59.7 200 5 3 7.6 4.2 | 15.6 60.1 200 6 3 10.1 5.5
8000 15.9 60.6 195 5 3 8.1 4.4 | 16.3 61.3 200 6 3 10.3 5.6
7750 16.5 61.7 195 5 2 6.8 3.8 | 17.0 62.6 200 5 3 9.4 5.2
7500 16.9 62.4 190 4 2 5.7 3.1 | 17.7 63.9 200 5 3 8.9 4.9
7250 17.4 63.3 185 3 2 6.8 3.7 | 18.4 65.1 200 5 3 10.4 5.7
7000 17.9 64.2 180 3 1 7.0 3.9 | 19.2 66.6 205 5 3 10.9 6.0
6750 18.3 64.9 170 2 1 5.8 3.2 | 20.0 68.0 205 5 3 10.2 5.6
6500 18.7 65.7 160 2 1 5.0 2.7 | 20.7 69.3 205 5 3 10.1 5.6
6250 19.1 66.4 145 1 1 5.8 3.2 | 21.5 70.7 210 5 2 9.2 5.1
6000 19.6 67.3 130 1 1 8.2 4.5 | 22.2 72.0 210 5 2 11.9 6.5
5750 20.4 68.7 115 1 0 14.6 8.0 | 23.9 75.0 215 4 2 41.3 22.7
5500 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
09/27/2026 at 1500 MDT | 09/27/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +0.3 LI... +3.6 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +4.2
CINH... -0.0 K Index... -2.5 | CINH... 0.0 K Index... +12.9
|
Height Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate | Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft | deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -66.0 -86.8 280 51 26 3.2 1.8 | -65.6 -86.1 275 54 28 3.3 1.8
45000 -58.8 -73.8 275 72 37 7.9 4.3 | -58.5 -73.3 275 75 39 7.5 4.1
40000 -47.1 -52.8 270 79 41 4.9 2.7 | -47.2 -53.0 270 76 39 5.3 2.9
38000 -44.1 -47.4 270 74 38 4.9 2.7 | -44.0 -47.2 265 71 37 5.3 2.9
36000 -41.2 -42.2 265 69 35 5.3 2.9 | -40.8 -41.4 265 66 34 5.6 3.0
34000 -37.2 -35.0 265 53 27 6.8 3.7 | -37.1 -34.8 265 53 27 6.3 3.5
32000 -33.1 -27.6 265 37 19 6.8 3.7 | -33.3 -27.9 275 40 21 6.2 3.4
30000 -28.9 -20.0 260 31 16 7.3 4.0 | -28.8 -19.8 270 37 19 7.8 4.3
29000 -26.7 -16.1 260 28 15 7.3 4.0 | -26.5 -15.7 270 37 19 7.8 4.3
28000 -24.6 -12.3 260 26 13 7.2 3.9 | -24.2 -11.6 270 37 19 7.4 4.0
27000 -22.5 -8.5 255 27 14 7.1 3.9 | -22.1 -7.8 265 37 19 6.8 3.8
26000 -20.4 -4.7 255 27 14 7.1 3.9 | -19.6 -3.3 260 38 20 6.9 3.8
25000 -17.8 -0.0 250 28 15 6.6 3.6 | -17.6 0.3 255 39 20 6.3 3.5
24000 -15.9 3.4 245 27 14 5.9 3.3 | -16.0 3.2 250 36 19 5.3 2.9
23000 -14.0 6.8 240 26 13 6.0 3.3 | -14.4 6.1 245 33 17 5.3 2.9
22000 -12.2 10.0 240 25 13 6.6 3.6 | -12.9 8.8 245 31 16 6.0 3.3
21000 -10.0 14.0 235 22 11 7.2 4.0 | -10.6 12.9 240 27 14 7.1 3.9
20000 -7.8 18.0 235 18 9 7.2 4.0 | -8.4 16.9 240 23 12 7.3 4.0
19500 -6.7 19.9 235 16 8 7.3 4.0 | -7.2 19.0 240 21 11 7.3 4.0
19000 -5.7 21.7 235 15 8 6.3 3.5 | -6.1 21.0 240 20 10 6.9 3.8
18500 -4.7 23.5 235 14 7 6.4 3.5 | -5.0 23.0 245 18 9 7.0 3.8
18000 -3.7 25.3 235 14 7 5.6 3.1 | -4.0 24.8 245 17 9 6.5 3.6
17500 -3.0 26.6 235 13 7 5.0 2.7 | -3.1 26.4 250 17 9 6.0 3.3
17000 -2.3 27.9 235 12 6 4.9 2.7 | -2.2 28.0 250 17 9 6.2 3.4
16500 -1.6 29.1 235 12 6 4.3 2.4 | -1.7 28.9 255 18 9 1.8 1.0
16000 -0.9 30.4 235 11 6 4.5 2.4 | -1.4 29.5 255 19 10 2.6 1.4
15500 -0.3 31.5 235 10 5 4.1 2.3 | -1.1 30.0 260 20 10 5.0 2.7
15000 0.2 32.4 230 9 5 4.3 2.4 | -0.3 31.5 260 19 10 5.6 3.1
14500 0.8 33.4 225 8 4 5.1 2.8 | 0.4 32.7 260 18 9 7.0 3.8
14000 1.5 34.7 215 8 4 6.0 3.3 | 1.7 35.1 260 17 9 8.9 4.9
13500 2.2 36.0 205 7 4 6.9 3.8 | 3.1 37.6 260 15 8 8.9 4.9
13000 3.4 38.1 205 7 4 9.2 5.0 | 4.4 39.9 260 13 7 8.9 4.9
12500 4.7 40.5 200 7 4 9.1 5.0 | 5.7 42.3 260 12 6 8.9 4.9
12000 6.1 43.0 200 7 4 9.6 5.3 | 7.1 44.8 260 10 5 9.5 5.2
11500 7.5 45.5 200 7 4 9.6 5.2 | 8.5 47.3 255 9 5 9.5 5.2
11000 9.0 48.2 200 7 4 10.0 5.5 | 9.8 49.6 255 8 4 8.7 4.8
10500 10.4 50.7 200 7 4 9.0 5.0 | 11.2 52.2 255 6 3 9.1 5.0
10250 11.1 52.0 200 7 4 9.0 5.0 | 11.9 53.4 255 6 3 9.6 5.2
10000 11.8 53.2 200 8 4 9.8 5.4 | 12.6 54.7 250 5 3 9.7 5.3
9750 12.5 54.5 200 8 4 9.5 5.2 | 14.0 57.2 245 4 2 9.2 5.1
9500 13.2 55.8 200 8 4 9.8 5.4 | 14.7 58.5 245 4 2 9.1 5.0
9250 14.0 57.2 205 8 4 9.8 5.4 | 15.4 59.7 240 3 2 9.6 5.2
9000 15.4 59.7 205 8 4 9.9 5.4 | 16.1 61.0 235 3 2 9.6 5.3
8750 16.1 61.0 205 8 4 9.1 5.0 | 16.8 62.2 225 3 1 8.9 4.9
8500 16.8 62.2 205 8 4 9.3 5.1 | 17.4 63.3 210 2 1 9.0 4.9
8250 17.5 63.5 205 8 4 10.4 5.7 | 18.1 64.6 195 2 1 9.9 5.4
8000 18.3 64.9 205 8 4 10.5 5.8 | 18.9 66.0 190 2 1 9.9 5.4
7750 19.1 66.4 205 8 4 9.9 5.4 | 19.6 67.3 180 2 1 9.6 5.3
7500 19.8 67.6 205 8 4 9.3 5.1 | 20.3 68.5 165 2 1 9.3 5.1
7250 20.5 68.9 205 8 4 10.1 5.5 | 21.0 69.8 155 2 1 9.7 5.3
7000 21.3 70.3 205 8 4 10.5 5.8 | 21.8 71.2 150 2 1 10.0 5.5
6750 22.1 71.8 210 8 4 10.3 5.6 | 22.5 72.5 140 3 1 9.8 5.4
6500 22.8 73.0 210 8 4 10.5 5.8 | 23.2 73.8 140 3 1 9.6 5.3
6250 23.6 74.5 210 8 4 9.3 5.1 | 23.9 75.0 135 3 2 9.1 5.0
6000 24.3 75.7 210 7 4 12.6 6.9 | 24.6 76.3 130 3 2 8.9 4.9
5750 26.2 79.2 210 7 4 48.3 26.5 | 25.3 77.5 130 3 2 15.2 8.3
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
0718 MDT Sunday September 27 2026
This forecast is for Sunday, September 27, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 71.2 F/21.8 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Good
Maximum rate of lift........................ 686 ft/min (3.5 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 13832 ft MSL (7374 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 73.0 F/23.2 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1230 MDT
Time of overdevelopment........................ 1500 MDT
Middle/high clouds during soaring window....... None
Surface winds during soaring window............ 20 mph or less
Height of the -3 thermal index................. 7639 ft MSL (1180 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Monday 09/28....... Good
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:56:31 / 18:54:03 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 11 hr 57 min 31 sec (717 min 31 sec)
Altitude of sun at 12:55:17 MDT... 52.51 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 09/27/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 14258 ft MSL (7800 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 18093 ft MSL (11635 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 15061 ft MSL (8603 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... +4.0
K index......................... +3.8
Height Temperature Wind Wind Spd Lapse Rate ConvectionT Thermal Lift Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft deg C deg F Index fpm m/s
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -65.5 -85.9 280 67 35 1.2 0.7 77.2 171.0 32.3 M M
45000 -61.0 -77.8 275 91 47 6.9 3.8 61.8 143.2 24.7 M M
40000 -50.6 -59.1 275 88 45 6.6 3.6 55.7 132.2 22.3 M M
38000 -46.2 -51.2 270 73 38 6.6 3.6 52.3 126.1 20.6 M M
36000 -42.3 -44.1 265 60 31 6.8 3.7 50.0 122.0 19.4 M M
34000 -37.9 -36.2 270 51 26 7.3 4.0 47.7 117.9 18.2 M M
32000 -33.6 -28.5 275 42 22 7.4 4.1 46.0 114.8 17.3 M M
30000 -29.4 -20.9 275 37 19 7.0 3.8 43.7 110.7 16.0 M M
29000 -27.3 -17.1 270 35 18 7.0 3.8 42.7 108.9 15.4 M M
28000 -25.2 -13.4 270 33 17 7.0 3.8 41.8 107.3 14.8 M M
27000 -23.1 -9.6 265 31 16 7.0 3.8 40.6 105.2 14.2 M M
26000 -20.9 -5.6 265 28 15 7.1 3.9 39.6 103.3 13.6 M M
25000 -18.2 -0.8 265 25 13 6.8 3.7 38.6 101.4 12.9 M M
24000 -16.3 2.7 260 23 12 6.1 3.4 37.2 98.9 11.9 M M
23000 -14.5 5.9 260 20 10 6.1 3.4 35.9 96.5 10.9 M M
22000 -12.7 9.1 250 18 9 6.7 3.7 34.7 94.4 10.1 M M
21000 -10.5 13.1 250 17 9 7.3 4.0 33.7 92.7 9.4 M M
20000 -8.3 17.1 255 15 8 7.3 4.0 32.9 91.2 8.8 M M
19500 -7.2 19.0 255 15 8 7.3 4.0 32.5 90.5 8.5 M M
19000 -6.2 20.8 255 14 7 6.6 3.6 32.0 89.7 8.1 M M
18500 -5.2 22.6 255 13 7 6.6 3.6 31.5 88.7 7.7 M M
18000 -4.2 24.4 250 12 6 5.5 3.0 31.0 87.8 7.3 M M
17500 -3.5 25.7 255 11 6 4.4 2.4 30.1 86.1 6.5 M M
17000 -2.9 26.8 255 9 5 4.5 2.5 29.2 84.5 5.6 M M
16500 -2.5 27.5 265 8 4 2.6 1.4 28.1 82.6 4.7 M M
16000 -2.1 28.2 275 7 3 2.9 1.6 27.0 80.5 3.6 M M
15500 -1.7 28.9 285 6 3 4.0 2.2 25.9 78.6 2.6 M M
15000 -1.1 30.0 295 7 4 4.6 2.5 25.0 77.0 1.7 M M
14500 -0.6 30.9 300 8 4 5.7 3.1 24.2 75.5 0.8 M M
14000 0.4 32.7 305 9 5 7.2 3.9 23.7 74.7 0.2 M M
13500 1.3 34.3 310 10 5 7.5 4.1 23.3 74.0 -0.2 664 3.4
13000 2.5 36.5 310 11 5 9.0 4.9 23.1 73.6 -0.5 614 3.1
12500 3.8 38.8 310 11 6 8.9 4.9 23.0 73.3 -0.7 560 2.8
12000 5.2 41.4 315 11 6 9.9 5.4 22.9 73.3 -0.8 504 2.6
11500 6.6 43.9 315 11 5 9.7 5.3 22.9 73.3 -0.8 446 2.3
11000 8.7 47.7 320 10 5 9.2 5.0 22.8 73.1 -0.9 362 1.8
10500 10.1 50.2 320 8 4 8.7 4.8 22.7 72.9 -1.0 306 1.6
10250 10.7 51.3 325 8 4 8.6 4.7 22.6 72.8 -1.1 279 1.4
10000 11.4 52.5 330 7 4 8.8 4.9 22.6 72.6 -1.1 252 1.3
9750 12.0 53.6 335 7 3 8.8 4.8 22.5 72.5 -1.2 225 1.1
9500 12.7 54.9 340 6 3 8.7 4.8 22.4 72.4 -1.3 198 1.0
9250 13.3 55.9 345 6 3 8.4 4.6 22.3 72.2 -1.4 172 0.9
9000 13.9 57.0 345 6 3 8.2 4.5 22.2 72.0 -1.5 146 0.7
8750 14.6 58.3 350 5 3 8.0 4.4 22.1 71.8 -1.6 120 0.6
8500 15.1 59.2 355 5 3 6.9 3.8 21.9 71.5 -1.8 96 0.5
8250 15.6 60.1 355 5 3 5.6 3.1 21.7 71.0 -2.1 76 0.4
8000 15.9 60.6 355 5 3 4.5 2.5 21.3 70.4 -2.5 57 0.3
7750 16.2 61.2 360 5 2 3.7 2.0 20.9 69.6 -2.9 42 0.2
7500 16.4 61.5 360 4 2 3.4 1.9 20.4 68.7 -3.4 27 0.1
7250 16.7 62.1 360 4 2 2.9 1.6 19.9 67.8 -3.9 13 0.1
7000 16.9 62.4 360 4 2 4.0 2.2 19.4 66.9 -4.4 M M
6750 17.0 62.6 005 4 2 -3.5 -1.9 18.8 65.9 -5.0 M M
6500 15.0 59.0 010 3 2 -60.2 -33.0 16.2 61.1 -7.7 39 0.2
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
09/27/2026 at 0900 MDT | 09/27/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +3.3 | CAPE... +0.4 LI... +2.6
CINH... -0.3 K Index... -1.4 | CINH... -0.2 K Index... 0.0
|
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 -64.9 -84.8 285 57 29 1.6 0.9 | -65.9 -86.6 285 63 32 2.6 1.4
45000 -60.0 -76.0 280 79 41 6.7 3.7 | -59.6 -75.3 280 86 44 7.3 4.0
40000 -49.5 -57.1 275 82 42 6.2 3.4 | -48.5 -55.3 280 82 42 6.1 3.4
38000 -45.8 -50.4 275 72 37 6.3 3.4 | -44.8 -48.6 275 74 38 6.2 3.4
36000 -42.1 -43.8 275 61 32 6.4 3.5 | -41.1 -42.0 270 66 34 6.2 3.4
34000 -38.0 -36.4 270 49 25 6.9 3.8 | -37.4 -35.3 270 52 27 6.3 3.4
32000 -33.9 -29.0 265 37 19 6.9 3.8 | -33.6 -28.5 270 38 19 6.2 3.4
30000 -29.6 -21.3 270 32 16 7.3 4.0 | -29.2 -20.6 270 31 16 7.6 4.1
29000 -27.4 -17.3 275 30 15 7.3 4.0 | -27.0 -16.6 265 28 15 7.6 4.2
28000 -25.3 -13.5 280 28 14 6.9 3.8 | -24.8 -12.6 265 26 13 7.3 4.0
27000 -23.3 -9.9 275 28 14 6.6 3.6 | -22.2 -8.0 265 26 13 6.9 3.8
26000 -20.8 -5.4 275 28 14 6.6 3.6 | -20.2 -4.4 265 27 14 6.9 3.8
25000 -18.8 -1.8 270 27 14 6.8 3.7 | -18.1 -0.6 265 27 14 6.7 3.7
24000 -16.7 1.9 270 27 14 7.0 3.9 | -16.2 2.8 260 26 13 6.3 3.4
23000 -14.6 5.7 270 27 14 7.0 3.9 | -14.3 6.3 260 24 13 6.3 3.4
22000 -12.4 9.7 265 26 13 6.9 3.8 | -12.4 9.7 260 23 12 6.5 3.6
21000 -10.4 13.3 265 23 12 6.8 3.8 | -10.3 13.5 265 21 11 6.8 3.8
20000 -8.3 17.1 265 20 10 6.8 3.8 | -8.1 17.4 270 20 10 7.0 3.8
19500 -7.3 18.9 260 18 9 6.8 3.8 | -7.1 19.2 275 19 10 7.1 3.9
19000 -6.3 20.7 260 17 9 6.7 3.7 | -6.2 20.8 275 17 9 4.6 2.5
18500 -5.3 22.5 265 15 8 6.7 3.7 | -5.5 22.1 275 15 8 4.8 2.7
18000 -4.3 24.3 265 14 7 5.8 3.2 | -4.7 23.5 275 12 6 4.4 2.4
17500 -3.5 25.7 265 12 6 5.2 2.8 | -4.1 24.6 270 10 5 4.1 2.2
17000 -2.7 27.1 270 10 5 5.2 2.8 | -3.5 25.7 265 8 4 4.1 2.2
16500 -2.1 28.2 270 9 4 4.4 2.4 | -3.8 25.2 260 7 4 4.0 2.2
16000 -1.4 29.5 275 7 4 4.6 2.5 | -2.4 27.7 255 6 3 4.1 2.3
15500 -0.8 30.6 275 6 3 4.5 2.5 | -1.8 28.8 250 5 3 5.0 2.7
15000 -0.2 31.6 280 6 3 4.7 2.6 | -1.1 30.0 255 5 2 5.4 2.9
14500 0.4 32.7 285 5 3 5.0 2.7 | -0.5 31.1 255 4 2 6.3 3.4
14000 1.1 34.0 295 6 3 5.3 2.9 | 0.5 32.9 255 4 2 7.2 3.9
13500 1.7 35.1 295 6 3 6.1 3.3 | 1.4 34.5 260 4 2 7.7 4.2
13000 2.8 37.0 300 7 3 8.4 4.6 | 2.6 36.7 255 4 2 9.1 5.0
12500 3.9 39.0 300 7 3 8.4 4.6 | 3.9 39.0 250 4 2 9.1 5.0
12000 5.2 41.4 300 7 3 9.3 5.1 | 5.3 41.5 245 4 2 9.4 5.2
11500 6.6 43.9 295 6 3 9.6 5.3 | 7.4 45.3 240 4 2 9.8 5.4
11000 8.6 47.5 300 5 3 9.1 5.0 | 8.8 47.8 240 5 2 9.5 5.2
10500 10.0 50.0 295 5 2 9.1 5.0 | 10.2 50.4 240 5 2 8.7 4.7
10250 10.6 51.1 295 5 2 8.8 4.8 | 10.8 51.4 240 5 2 8.9 4.9
10000 11.3 52.3 300 4 2 8.7 4.8 | 11.5 52.7 240 5 2 9.3 5.1
9750 11.9 53.4 300 4 2 8.7 4.8 | 12.1 53.8 240 5 2 9.2 5.0
9500 12.6 54.7 300 3 2 8.2 4.5 | 12.8 55.0 240 5 2 8.6 4.7
9250 13.2 55.8 310 3 2 7.8 4.3 | 13.4 56.1 245 4 2 8.7 4.8
9000 13.7 56.7 320 3 2 7.9 4.4 | 14.1 57.4 245 4 2 9.1 5.0
8750 14.3 57.7 325 3 2 7.4 4.1 | 14.8 58.6 250 4 2 9.0 5.0
8500 14.8 58.6 335 3 2 5.9 3.2 | 15.4 59.7 250 4 2 9.0 5.0
8250 15.2 59.4 350 4 2 5.2 2.8 | 16.1 61.0 255 3 2 9.2 5.1
8000 15.6 60.1 355 4 2 5.6 3.1 | 16.8 62.2 255 3 2 9.6 5.3
7750 16.0 60.8 355 4 2 4.7 2.6 | 17.5 63.5 260 3 2 9.9 5.4
7500 16.3 61.3 360 4 2 3.4 1.9 | 18.3 64.9 260 3 2 10.0 5.5
7250 16.5 61.7 005 4 2 3.2 1.8 | 19.0 66.2 260 3 2 10.1 5.5
7000 16.8 62.2 010 4 2 5.7 3.2 | 19.8 67.6 265 3 2 9.9 5.4
6750 17.4 63.3 010 3 2 11.2 6.2 | 20.6 69.1 265 3 2 13.7 7.5
6500 18.2 64.8 010 3 1 7.9 4.3 | 22.2 72.0 265 3 2 34.4 18.9
09/27/2026 at 1500 MDT | 09/27/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +1.7 LI... +2.0 | CAPE... +2.2 LI... +1.8
CINH... -0.0 K Index... +3.1 | CINH... -4.3 K Index... +7.6
|
Height Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate | Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft | deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -65.9 -86.6 280 58 30 2.8 1.5 | -65.1 -85.2 275 58 30 2.7 1.5
45000 -59.4 -74.9 280 80 41 7.5 4.1 | -58.8 -73.8 275 82 42 7.4 4.0
40000 -48.1 -54.6 270 81 42 5.7 3.1 | -47.7 -53.9 270 79 41 4.8 2.7
38000 -44.7 -48.5 270 76 39 5.7 3.1 | -44.8 -48.6 270 72 37 4.9 2.7
36000 -41.2 -42.2 270 71 36 5.9 3.2 | -41.9 -43.4 270 65 33 5.1 2.8
34000 -37.5 -35.5 270 57 29 6.3 3.5 | -37.9 -36.2 270 52 27 7.0 3.8
32000 -33.7 -28.7 270 42 21 6.2 3.4 | -33.7 -28.7 265 38 20 7.0 3.8
30000 -29.2 -20.6 270 35 18 7.9 4.3 | -29.0 -20.2 260 33 17 8.1 4.4
29000 -26.9 -16.4 265 32 17 7.9 4.3 | -26.6 -15.9 255 32 16 8.1 4.4
28000 -24.5 -12.1 265 30 15 7.5 4.1 | -24.3 -11.7 250 31 16 7.7 4.2
27000 -22.5 -8.5 265 28 15 7.0 3.8 | -21.6 -6.9 250 32 17 7.1 3.9
26000 -19.9 -3.8 260 26 14 7.0 3.8 | -19.5 -3.1 250 34 17 7.2 3.9
25000 -17.8 -0.0 255 25 13 6.5 3.6 | -17.4 0.7 250 35 18 6.3 3.4
24000 -16.0 3.2 255 25 13 5.7 3.2 | -16.1 3.0 245 33 17 4.0 2.2
23000 -14.2 6.4 250 25 13 5.8 3.2 | -14.9 5.2 245 30 15 4.0 2.2
22000 -12.4 9.7 250 25 13 6.4 3.5 | -13.7 7.3 240 27 14 5.2 2.9
21000 -10.3 13.5 255 22 11 7.2 3.9 | -11.3 11.7 240 23 12 7.8 4.3
20000 -8.2 17.2 255 19 10 7.2 4.0 | -8.8 16.2 240 20 10 8.0 4.4
19500 -7.2 19.0 260 17 9 7.6 4.1 | -7.6 18.3 240 18 9 8.5 4.6
19000 -6.3 20.7 260 16 8 4.3 2.4 | -6.6 20.1 240 16 8 4.6 2.5
18500 -5.5 22.1 260 14 7 4.7 2.6 | -5.9 21.4 240 15 8 4.9 2.7
18000 -4.7 23.5 260 13 7 4.9 2.7 | -5.1 22.8 240 13 7 4.8 2.6
17500 -4.0 24.8 255 11 6 5.0 2.7 | -4.4 24.1 235 12 6 4.6 2.5
17000 -3.2 26.2 255 10 5 5.0 2.8 | -3.8 25.2 230 10 5 4.5 2.5
16500 -2.5 27.5 250 9 4 4.5 2.5 | -3.1 26.4 225 9 5 6.0 3.3
16000 -1.9 28.6 245 8 4 4.7 2.6 | -2.3 27.9 210 9 5 6.3 3.5
15500 -1.3 29.7 235 7 3 5.2 2.9 | -1.5 29.3 195 9 5 6.9 3.8
15000 -0.6 30.9 230 6 3 5.6 3.1 | -0.5 31.1 195 9 5 7.1 3.9
14500 0.1 32.2 220 6 3 6.4 3.5 | 0.4 32.7 190 10 5 7.5 4.1
14000 1.0 33.8 220 6 3 7.2 3.9 | 1.5 34.7 195 10 5 8.2 4.5
13500 2.0 35.6 220 7 3 7.6 4.2 | 2.7 36.9 200 9 5 8.2 4.5
13000 3.3 37.9 220 7 3 9.8 5.4 | 3.9 39.0 205 9 5 8.8 4.8
12500 4.7 40.5 220 7 3 9.7 5.3 | 5.2 41.4 210 8 4 8.6 4.7
12000 6.1 43.0 225 7 3 9.6 5.3 | 7.3 45.1 225 8 4 10.0 5.5
11500 7.6 45.7 225 7 3 9.5 5.2 | 8.6 47.5 230 8 4 8.5 4.7
11000 9.7 49.5 225 7 4 9.6 5.3 | 10.1 50.2 235 8 4 9.6 5.3
10500 11.1 52.0 230 7 4 9.5 5.2 | 11.5 52.7 240 8 4 10.0 5.5
10250 11.8 53.2 230 7 3 9.6 5.3 | 12.3 54.1 240 8 4 9.8 5.4
10000 12.5 54.5 230 7 3 9.8 5.4 | 13.0 55.4 245 8 4 9.4 5.2
9750 13.3 55.9 230 7 4 9.6 5.3 | 13.7 56.7 245 8 4 9.2 5.0
9500 14.0 57.2 230 7 4 10.2 5.6 | 14.4 57.9 245 8 4 10.5 5.8
9250 14.8 58.6 235 7 3 10.1 5.6 | 15.2 59.4 250 9 4 10.4 5.7
9000 15.5 59.9 235 7 4 9.7 5.3 | 15.9 60.6 250 9 4 9.0 4.9
8750 16.2 61.2 235 7 4 9.8 5.4 | 16.6 61.9 250 9 4 9.3 5.1
8500 17.0 62.6 235 7 4 9.9 5.4 | 17.3 63.1 255 9 5 10.0 5.5
8250 17.7 63.9 235 7 4 10.1 5.5 | 18.1 64.6 255 9 5 10.1 5.6
8000 18.4 65.1 240 7 4 10.2 5.6 | 18.8 65.8 255 9 5 9.1 5.0
7750 19.2 66.6 240 7 4 10.2 5.6 | 19.5 67.1 260 9 5 9.2 5.0
7500 20.0 68.0 240 7 3 9.9 5.5 | 20.2 68.4 260 9 5 10.1 5.5
7250 20.7 69.3 240 7 3 10.2 5.6 | 20.9 69.6 260 9 4 10.6 5.8
7000 21.4 70.5 240 7 3 9.1 5.0 | 21.7 71.1 260 8 4 8.9 4.9
6750 22.2 72.0 245 6 3 12.7 7.0 | 22.3 72.1 265 8 4 7.3 4.0
6500 24.1 75.4 245 6 3 49.0 26.9 | 22.9 73.2 265 6 3 14.9 8.2
________________________________________________________________________________
This product is issued once per day, at approximately 730 AM local
time. It is not continuously monitored nor updated after its initial
issuance.
The information contained herein is based on numerical weather prediction
model data for the Santa Fe County Municipal Airport site in Santa Fe, New Mexico at
North Latitude: 35.61097 deg
West Longitude: 106.61097 deg
Elevation: 6279.5 feet (1936.0 meters)
and may not be representative of other areas along and east of the Sandia
and Manzano Mountains. Note that some elevations in numerical weather
prediction models differ from actual station elevations, which can lead to
data which appear to be below ground. Erroneous data such as these should
not be used.
The content and format of this report as well as the issuance times are subject
to change without prior notice. Comments are welcome and should be directed
to one of the addresses or phone numbers shown at the bottom of this page.
DEFINITIONS:
CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) - An integrated measure of the
energy available for convective development, also known as the positive
area on a thermodynamic diagram. Units are Joules per kilogram. Larger
values are indicative of greater instability and the possibility of
stronger convective activity, including thunderstorms. Values around or
greater than 1000 suggest the possibility of severe weather should
convective activity develop.
CINH (Convective Inhibition) - An integrated measure of the amount of energy
needed to initiate convective activity, also known as the negative area on
a thermodynamic diagram. Units are Joules per kilogram. The more negative
this number, the more energy is required to initiate convection. This
inhibitive energy can be overcome through surface heating, cooling aloft,
lifting mechanisms (orographic, frontal, gravity waves, etc.)
Convective Condensation Level - The height to which an air parcel possessing the
average saturation mixing ratio in the lowest 4000 feet of the airmass,
if heated sufficiently from below, will rise dry adiabatically until it
just becomes saturated. It estimates the base of cumulus clouds that are
produced by surface heating only.
Convection Temperature (ConvectionT) - The surface temperature required to make
the airmass dry adiabatic up to the given level. It can be considered a
"trigger temperature" for that level.
Freezing Level - The height where the temperature is zero degrees Celsius.
Height of Stable Layer - The height (between 12,000 and 18,000 feet above
mean sea level) where the smallest lapse rate exists. The location and
existence of this feature is important in the generation of mountain
waves.
K Index - A measure of stability which combines the temperature difference
between approximately 5,000 and 18,000 feet above the surface, the amount
of moisture at approximately 5,000 feet above the surface, and a measure
of the dryness at approximately 10,000 feet above the surface. Larger
positive numbers indicate more instability and a greater likelihood of
thunderstorm development. One interpretation of K index values regarding
soaring in the western United States is given in WMO Technical Note 158
and is reproduced in the following table:
below -10 no or weak thermals
-10 to 5 dry thermals or 1/8 cumulus with moderate thermals
5 to 15 good soaring conditions
15 to 20 good soaring conditions with occasional showers
20 to 30 excellent soaring conditions, but increasing
probability of showers and thunderstorms
above 30 more than 60 percent probability of thunderstorms
Lapse Rate - The change with height of the temperature. Negative values indicate
inversions.
Lifted Condensation Level - The height to which an air parcel possessing the
average dew point in the lowest 4000 feet of the airmass and the forecast
maximum temperature must be lifted dry adiabatically to attain saturation.
Lifted Index (LI) - The difference between the environmental temperature at a
level approximately 18,000 feet above the surface and the temperature of
an air parcel lifted dry adiabatically from the surface to its lifted
condensation level and then pseudoadiabatically thereafter to this same
level. The parcel's initial temperature is the forecast maximum
temperature and its dew point is the average dew point in the lowest 4000
feet of the airmass. Negative values are indicative of instability with
positive values showing stable conditions.
Lift Rate - An experimental estimate of the strength of thermals. It is
computed the same way as the maximum rate of lift but uses the actual
level rather than the maximum height of thermals in the calculation.
Also, none of the empirical adjustments based on cloudiness and K-index
are applied to these calculations.
Maximum Height of Thermals - The height where the dry adiabat through the
forecast maximum temperature intersects the environmental temperature.
Maximum Rate of Lift - An estimate of the maximum strength of thermals. It
is computed from an empirical formula which combines the expected maximum
height of thermals with the difference in the environmental temperatures
between the maximum height of thermals and the temperature 4,000 feet
above the ground. After this computation, further empirical adjustments
are made based on the value of the K-index and the amount and opacity of
middle and high level cloudiness expected between the time of trigger
temperature and the time of overdevelopment.
Middle/High Clouds - The amount and opacity of middle (altostratus, altocumulus)
or high (cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus) clouds. Broken means that
between 60% and 90% of the sky is covered by the cloud, with overcast
conditions occurring when more than 90% of the sky is covered by the cloud.
Thin implies that the clouds are predominantly transparent, meaning that
some sunlight is reaching the ground, in contrast to opaque which suggests
that little sunlight is reaching the ground.
Potential Height of Wave - The minimum of the following two heights:
1. Level above the height of stable layer (or 14,000 feet if none exists)
where the wind direction changes by 30 degrees or more
2. Level above the height of stable layer (or 14,000 feet if none exists)
where the wind speed no longer increases with height
PVA/NVA - Positive vorticity advection (PVA)/negative vorticity advection (NVA)
on the 500 millibar isobaric surface (approximately 18,000 feet above mean
sea level). Weak PVA has been shown to assist in mountain wave soaring.
Soaring Window - The time between the time the trigger temperature is reached
and the time of overdevelopment.
Thermal Index - The difference between the environmental temperature and the
temperature at a particular level determined by following the dry adiabat
through the forecast maximum temperature up to that level. Negative values
are indicative of thermal lift.
Thermal Soaring Index - An adjective rating (for sailplanes) based on the
computed maximum rate of lift, and the wind speed and middle and high
cloud cover expected during the soaring window (the time of the trigger
temperature and the time of overdevelopment) according to the following:
Maximum rate of lift Adjective Rating
>= 800 fpm Excellent
>= 400 and < 800 fpm Good
>= 200 and < 400 fpm Fair
< 200 fpm Poor
Time of Overdevelopment - The time one or more of the following phenomena,
which essentially shut off thermal lift, is expected to occur:
1. formation of broken to overcast convective cloud cover
2. formation of scattered to numerous downbursts
3. initiation of widespread precipitation
Time of Trigger Temperature - The time the surface temperature is expected to
reach the trigger temperature.
Trigger Temperature - The surface temperature required to make the first 4000
feet of the atmosphere dry adiabatic.
Wave Soaring Index - An empirical, adjective rating (for sailplanes) which
attempts to combine a variety of phenomena important in mountain wave
soaring into a single index number. Objective points are assigned to
these phenomena: wind speed and direction at 14,000 ft MSL, the static
stability in the 12,000-18,000 ft MSL layer, the wind speed gradient above
the stable layer, jet stream location and frontal and upper trough
movements.
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