Areas of gusty winds, heavy rain leading to flash flooding, and high surf continue across portions of Hawaii as Tropical Storm Lala continues to move away from the islands. Severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall will shift into the southern Appalachians today. Strong to severe thunderstorms may produce large hail, scattered wind gusts, and heavy rain today across the northern and central Plains. Read More >
Soaring Forecast for Moriarty NM
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
0724 MDT Sunday August 16 2026
This forecast is for Sunday, August 16, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 78.6 F/25.9 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 1027 ft/min (5.2 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 17453 ft MSL (11117 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 87.0 F/31.0 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1045 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................. 12366 ft MSL (6031 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Monday 08/17....... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:25:11 / 19:51:18 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 13 hr 26 min 7 sec (806 min 7 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:08:14 MDT... 68.49 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 08/16/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 15784 ft MSL (9448 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 14792 ft MSL (8456 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 15961 ft MSL (9625 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... -2.4
K index......................... +25.0
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 -66.3 -87.3 220 11 5 1.5 0.8 75.8 168.5 26.9 M M
45000 -61.2 -78.2 220 19 10 6.1 3.3 60.2 140.3 18.9 M M
40000 -51.4 -60.5 235 16 8 8.1 4.4 53.1 127.6 15.4 M M
38000 -46.6 -51.9 240 13 7 8.1 4.4 51.6 124.8 14.7 M M
36000 -41.8 -43.2 240 11 6 8.1 4.4 50.5 122.9 14.3 M M
34000 -37.0 -34.6 230 12 6 8.1 4.4 48.9 120.0 13.4 M M
32000 -32.1 -25.8 225 14 7 8.0 4.4 47.8 118.1 13.0 M M
30000 -26.9 -16.4 225 13 7 7.7 4.2 45.9 114.6 11.8 M M
29000 -24.6 -12.3 225 13 7 7.7 4.2 45.2 113.4 11.4 M M
28000 -22.4 -8.3 225 13 6 6.6 3.6 44.3 111.7 10.8 M M
27000 -20.5 -4.9 220 12 6 6.7 3.7 43.0 109.4 9.9 M M
26000 -18.5 -1.3 215 12 6 6.7 3.7 41.9 107.4 9.1 M M
25000 -16.6 2.1 210 12 6 6.8 3.8 40.9 105.6 8.3 M M
24000 -14.5 5.9 215 10 5 6.9 3.8 39.8 103.6 7.4 M M
23000 -12.5 9.5 220 8 4 6.9 3.8 38.7 101.7 6.6 M M
22000 -10.5 13.1 225 7 4 6.3 3.5 37.8 100.0 5.8 M M
21000 -8.7 16.3 220 7 4 6.3 3.5 36.5 97.6 4.7 M M
20000 -6.9 19.6 215 7 4 6.4 3.5 35.3 95.5 3.6 M M
19500 -6.0 21.2 215 7 4 6.1 3.3 34.8 94.6 3.1 M M
19000 -5.3 22.5 210 7 4 5.1 2.8 34.0 93.2 2.4 M M
18500 -4.5 23.9 200 7 4 5.1 2.8 33.2 91.8 1.7 M M
18000 -3.8 25.2 195 7 3 5.0 2.7 32.4 90.4 1.0 M M
17500 -2.7 27.1 185 5 3 4.9 2.7 31.2 88.2 -0.1 1022 5.2
17000 -2.0 28.4 175 4 2 5.9 3.2 30.5 86.9 -0.8 984 5.0
16500 -1.1 30.0 160 2 1 6.1 3.3 29.8 85.7 -1.4 944 4.8
16000 -0.3 31.5 045 1 1 7.0 3.9 29.2 84.6 -2.1 905 4.6
15500 0.9 33.6 015 3 2 8.5 4.7 29.0 84.2 -2.3 853 4.3
15000 2.2 36.0 010 5 3 8.6 4.7 28.8 83.9 -2.5 801 4.1
14500 3.5 38.3 010 7 3 9.2 5.1 28.7 83.6 -2.7 746 3.8
14000 4.9 40.8 005 8 4 9.2 5.0 28.6 83.5 -2.7 690 3.5
13500 6.3 43.3 005 8 4 9.3 5.1 28.5 83.3 -2.8 633 3.2
13000 7.7 45.9 360 8 4 9.3 5.1 28.4 83.2 -2.9 576 2.9
12500 9.1 48.4 355 7 4 8.8 4.8 28.3 83.0 -3.0 521 2.6
12000 10.3 50.5 355 7 3 8.6 4.7 28.2 82.7 -3.1 467 2.4
11500 11.6 52.9 350 6 3 8.6 4.7 28.0 82.5 -3.3 414 2.1
11000 12.7 54.9 355 6 3 6.7 3.7 27.7 81.8 -3.7 367 1.9
10500 13.7 56.7 360 5 3 6.3 3.4 27.2 80.9 -4.2 323 1.6
10250 14.0 57.2 010 4 2 4.9 2.7 26.9 80.4 -4.6 305 1.5
10000 14.3 57.7 020 3 2 3.7 2.0 26.4 79.6 -5.1 290 1.5
9750 14.5 58.1 040 2 1 3.6 2.0 26.0 78.7 -5.6 276 1.4
9500 14.8 58.6 075 2 1 4.8 2.6 25.5 77.9 -6.1 261 1.3
9250 15.1 59.2 115 3 1 5.4 2.9 25.2 77.3 -6.5 244 1.2
9000 15.4 59.7 135 4 2 5.9 3.2 24.8 76.7 -7.0 227 1.2
8750 15.8 60.4 140 5 3 6.8 3.7 24.6 76.3 -7.3 207 1.1
8500 16.3 61.3 140 6 3 7.1 3.9 24.4 75.9 -7.5 186 0.9
8250 16.8 62.2 135 7 3 7.5 4.1 24.2 75.5 -7.8 163 0.8
8000 17.3 63.1 125 7 4 7.0 3.9 24.0 75.2 -8.0 140 0.7
7750 17.8 64.0 120 8 4 5.1 2.8 23.7 74.7 -8.3 119 0.6
7500 18.1 64.6 115 8 4 4.1 2.2 23.3 74.0 -8.8 103 0.5
7250 18.3 64.9 115 8 4 3.4 1.9 22.9 73.2 -9.2 87 0.4
7000 18.6 65.5 110 8 4 6.1 3.3 22.5 72.4 -9.7 72 0.4
6750 18.9 66.0 110 8 4 -2.5 -1.4 22.1 71.7 -10.1 56 0.3
6500 17.9 64.2 105 5 3 -24.4 -13.4 20.3 68.5 -11.9 80 0.4
6250 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
08/16/2026 at 0900 MDT | 08/16/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... +142.7 LI... -1.4 | CAPE... +259.3 LI... -2.9
CINH... -91.7 K Index... +24.3 | CINH... -4.5 K Index... +29.1
|
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 -65.3 -85.5 235 13 7 1.8 1.0 | -65.6 -86.1 235 15 8 1.8 1.0
45000 -60.5 -76.9 235 23 12 5.1 2.8 | -60.6 -77.1 235 21 11 5.3 2.9
40000 -51.9 -61.4 235 17 9 8.3 4.5 | -51.7 -61.1 220 16 8 8.5 4.7
38000 -46.9 -52.4 230 14 7 8.3 4.5 | -46.6 -51.9 215 16 8 8.6 4.7
36000 -42.0 -43.6 225 11 6 8.2 4.5 | -41.5 -42.7 205 17 9 8.0 4.4
34000 -37.1 -34.8 220 12 6 8.1 4.5 | -36.8 -34.2 210 15 8 7.9 4.3
32000 -31.7 -25.1 215 13 7 8.0 4.4 | -31.5 -24.7 210 14 7 7.5 4.1
30000 -26.9 -16.4 215 12 6 8.0 4.4 | -27.0 -16.6 210 11 6 7.5 4.1
29000 -24.5 -12.1 220 12 6 7.9 4.3 | -24.8 -12.6 205 10 5 7.5 4.1
28000 -22.4 -8.3 220 12 6 6.0 3.3 | -22.6 -8.7 210 10 5 7.0 3.8
27000 -20.6 -5.1 220 11 6 6.1 3.3 | -20.5 -4.9 220 10 5 7.0 3.8
26000 -18.9 -2.0 220 10 5 6.2 3.4 | -18.5 -1.3 230 11 6 7.0 3.8
25000 -17.1 1.2 220 10 5 6.4 3.5 | -16.5 2.3 235 11 6 6.4 3.5
24000 -15.2 4.6 215 8 4 6.4 3.5 | -14.6 5.7 235 11 6 6.4 3.5
23000 -13.3 8.1 215 6 3 6.4 3.5 | -12.7 9.1 230 10 5 6.5 3.6
22000 -11.4 11.5 210 4 2 6.6 3.6 | -11.0 12.2 230 9 5 4.8 2.6
21000 -9.5 14.9 210 4 2 6.7 3.7 | -9.6 14.7 235 7 3 4.8 2.6
20000 -7.6 18.3 205 4 2 6.7 3.7 | -8.3 17.1 245 4 2 4.9 2.7
19500 -6.6 20.1 205 4 2 6.5 3.6 | -7.6 18.3 255 3 2 5.2 2.9
19000 -5.7 21.7 205 4 2 6.1 3.4 | -6.8 19.8 255 3 1 5.7 3.1
18500 -4.8 23.4 200 4 2 6.1 3.4 | -6.0 21.2 250 2 1 5.6 3.1
18000 -3.5 25.7 190 4 2 6.1 3.3 | -5.1 22.8 235 2 1 7.3 4.0
17500 -2.6 27.3 185 4 2 6.0 3.3 | -3.5 25.7 195 2 1 7.2 4.0
17000 -1.7 28.9 180 5 2 6.7 3.7 | -2.3 27.9 175 3 1 8.5 4.6
16500 -0.7 30.7 170 5 2 6.8 3.7 | -1.1 30.0 165 3 1 8.4 4.6
16000 0.3 32.5 160 5 2 7.1 3.9 | 0.2 32.4 155 3 2 8.5 4.7
15500 1.4 34.5 145 3 2 7.5 4.1 | 1.4 34.5 135 3 1 8.5 4.7
15000 2.4 36.3 115 3 1 7.7 4.2 | 2.7 36.9 120 3 2 8.4 4.6
14500 3.7 38.7 075 3 1 8.6 4.7 | 3.9 39.0 105 3 2 8.1 4.4
14000 4.9 40.8 045 4 2 8.4 4.6 | 5.1 41.2 090 4 2 8.1 4.4
13500 6.3 43.3 035 5 2 9.3 5.1 | 6.2 43.2 080 4 2 8.1 4.4
13000 7.6 45.7 025 6 3 9.3 5.1 | 7.4 45.3 080 4 2 8.0 4.4
12500 9.0 48.2 020 7 3 8.3 4.6 | 8.5 47.3 080 4 2 8.8 4.8
12000 10.2 50.4 020 7 4 8.1 4.4 | 9.8 49.6 080 5 2 8.4 4.6
11500 11.5 52.7 015 8 4 9.5 5.2 | 11.2 52.2 085 5 2 10.9 6.0
11000 12.7 54.9 020 8 4 6.6 3.6 | 12.6 54.7 090 5 3 8.4 4.6
10500 13.6 56.5 020 7 4 7.2 3.9 | 14.0 57.2 090 5 3 11.1 6.1
10250 14.1 57.4 025 6 3 5.9 3.3 | 14.8 58.6 095 5 3 10.0 5.5
10000 14.3 57.7 030 6 3 3.8 2.1 | 15.4 59.7 095 5 3 7.9 4.4
9750 14.6 58.3 035 5 3 3.7 2.0 | 16.0 60.8 095 5 3 8.6 4.7
9500 14.8 58.6 045 4 2 4.0 2.2 | 16.7 62.1 100 6 3 9.5 5.2
9250 15.0 59.0 060 4 2 4.4 2.4 | 17.4 63.3 100 6 3 9.7 5.3
9000 15.2 59.4 075 4 2 3.5 1.9 | 18.1 64.6 105 6 3 10.0 5.5
8750 15.4 59.7 090 4 2 3.9 2.2 | 18.9 66.0 105 6 3 10.0 5.5
8500 15.8 60.4 095 5 2 6.1 3.4 | 19.6 67.3 105 6 3 9.7 5.3
8250 16.2 61.2 100 5 3 6.7 3.6 | 20.3 68.5 110 6 3 9.5 5.2
8000 16.7 62.1 100 6 3 6.2 3.4 | 21.0 69.8 110 6 3 10.2 5.6
7750 17.1 62.8 100 6 3 8.0 4.4 | 21.8 71.2 110 6 3 10.8 5.9
7500 17.8 64.0 100 7 3 9.9 5.4 | 22.6 72.7 110 7 3 10.5 5.8
7250 18.5 65.3 100 7 3 9.7 5.3 | 23.4 74.1 115 7 3 10.4 5.7
7000 19.3 66.7 100 7 4 9.8 5.3 | 24.2 75.6 115 7 3 10.9 6.0
6750 20.1 68.2 100 7 3 13.3 7.3 | 25.2 77.4 115 7 3 16.4 9.0
6500 21.3 70.3 100 6 3 19.1 10.5 | 26.7 80.1 115 7 3 23.7 13.0
6250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
08/16/2026 at 1500 MDT | 08/16/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +221.0 LI... -2.1 | CAPE... +91.5 LI... -1.9
CINH... -0.8 K Index... +32.0 | CINH... -160.1 K Index... +33.0
|
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 -64.5 -84.1 260 18 9 2.2 1.2 | -64.0 -83.2 280 19 10 2.7 1.5
45000 -59.8 -75.6 250 23 12 4.3 2.3 | -59.2 -74.6 255 22 12 3.8 2.1
40000 -52.1 -61.8 215 17 9 8.5 4.7 | -52.0 -61.6 210 21 11 8.7 4.8
38000 -47.0 -52.6 215 17 9 8.5 4.7 | -46.8 -52.2 220 19 10 8.7 4.8
36000 -41.9 -43.4 215 17 9 8.2 4.5 | -41.7 -43.1 235 17 9 8.2 4.5
34000 -37.0 -34.6 220 16 8 8.2 4.5 | -36.9 -34.4 245 17 9 8.1 4.4
32000 -32.1 -25.8 225 14 7 8.1 4.5 | -32.1 -25.8 260 18 9 8.0 4.4
30000 -26.8 -16.2 235 13 7 7.9 4.4 | -27.0 -16.6 265 16 8 7.6 4.2
29000 -24.4 -11.9 240 12 6 7.9 4.3 | -24.8 -12.6 270 16 8 7.6 4.2
28000 -22.3 -8.1 240 12 6 6.5 3.6 | -22.6 -8.7 275 15 8 6.8 3.7
27000 -20.3 -4.5 240 11 6 6.5 3.6 | -20.6 -5.1 280 13 7 6.8 3.8
26000 -18.4 -1.1 240 11 6 6.5 3.6 | -18.6 -1.5 285 11 6 6.9 3.8
25000 -16.5 2.3 240 10 5 6.6 3.6 | -16.6 2.1 290 10 5 7.1 3.9
24000 -14.6 5.7 250 10 5 6.6 3.6 | -14.5 5.9 295 8 4 7.2 3.9
23000 -12.6 9.3 260 9 5 6.7 3.7 | -12.4 9.7 310 6 3 7.2 3.9
22000 -10.7 12.7 265 9 4 5.6 3.1 | -10.4 13.3 335 4 2 6.2 3.4
21000 -9.1 15.6 275 7 4 5.7 3.1 | -8.6 16.5 005 4 2 6.1 3.4
20000 -7.5 18.5 290 6 3 5.7 3.1 | -6.9 19.6 030 5 2 6.1 3.4
19500 -6.7 19.9 300 6 3 5.3 2.9 | -6.0 21.2 040 5 3 6.1 3.4
19000 -6.1 21.0 310 5 2 4.4 2.4 | -5.1 22.8 045 6 3 6.1 3.4
18500 -5.5 22.1 320 3 2 4.2 2.3 | -4.2 24.4 050 6 3 6.1 3.4
18000 -4.7 23.5 330 2 1 7.5 4.1 | -3.4 25.9 055 7 3 6.3 3.4
17500 -3.1 26.4 125 1 0 7.6 4.1 | -2.0 28.4 060 7 4 6.3 3.5
17000 -1.9 28.6 145 2 1 8.9 4.9 | -1.1 30.0 060 8 4 6.5 3.6
16500 -0.6 30.9 150 3 1 8.9 4.9 | -0.2 31.6 065 8 4 6.6 3.6
16000 0.7 33.3 150 4 2 8.4 4.6 | 0.7 33.3 070 7 4 7.2 3.9
15500 1.8 35.2 150 5 2 7.9 4.4 | 1.9 35.4 075 7 4 8.1 4.4
15000 2.9 37.2 145 5 3 8.2 4.5 | 3.1 37.6 080 6 3 8.1 4.5
14500 4.2 39.6 145 6 3 9.5 5.2 | 4.3 39.7 090 6 3 8.4 4.6
14000 5.6 42.1 140 6 3 9.4 5.2 | 5.5 41.9 100 6 3 8.4 4.6
13500 7.0 44.6 140 6 3 9.5 5.2 | 6.7 44.1 110 5 3 8.2 4.5
13000 8.4 47.1 140 6 3 9.5 5.2 | 7.9 46.2 120 5 3 8.1 4.5
12500 9.9 49.8 140 6 3 9.6 5.3 | 9.1 48.4 130 5 2 8.4 4.6
12000 11.3 52.3 135 6 3 9.4 5.1 | 10.3 50.5 140 5 2 8.3 4.6
11500 12.9 55.2 135 7 3 10.8 5.9 | 11.7 53.1 150 4 2 10.1 5.5
11000 14.3 57.7 135 7 3 9.2 5.1 | 13.0 55.4 155 4 2 8.0 4.4
10500 15.7 60.3 130 7 4 10.6 5.8 | 14.2 57.6 165 4 2 9.8 5.4
10250 16.5 61.7 130 7 4 9.9 5.4 | 15.0 59.0 170 4 2 9.3 5.1
10000 17.1 62.8 130 7 4 8.5 4.7 | 15.6 60.1 180 4 2 7.4 4.0
9750 17.8 64.0 130 7 4 9.1 5.0 | 16.1 61.0 180 4 2 7.7 4.2
9500 18.5 65.3 130 7 4 10.2 5.6 | 16.7 62.1 190 4 2 8.1 4.4
9250 19.3 66.7 130 8 4 10.7 5.9 | 17.3 63.1 200 4 2 8.5 4.7
9000 20.1 68.2 130 8 4 9.6 5.3 | 17.9 64.2 205 4 2 7.9 4.3
8750 20.7 69.3 125 8 4 9.2 5.0 | 18.5 65.3 210 4 2 7.5 4.1
8500 21.4 70.5 125 8 4 9.6 5.3 | 19.0 66.2 215 5 2 7.5 4.1
8250 22.2 72.0 125 8 4 9.7 5.3 | 19.6 67.3 220 5 3 7.2 4.0
8000 22.9 73.2 125 8 4 9.7 5.3 | 20.1 68.2 225 6 3 7.7 4.2
7750 23.6 74.5 125 8 4 9.8 5.4 | 20.7 69.3 225 6 3 6.5 3.6
7500 24.4 75.9 125 8 4 10.0 5.5 | 21.0 69.8 225 6 3 3.8 2.1
7250 25.1 77.2 125 8 4 10.1 5.5 | 21.2 70.2 225 6 3 2.3 1.3
7000 25.8 78.4 125 8 4 9.7 5.3 | 21.4 70.5 225 6 3 5.1 2.8
6750 26.6 79.9 125 8 4 12.0 6.6 | 21.8 71.2 230 6 3 2.4 1.3
6500 27.7 81.9 125 8 4 16.5 9.0 | 21.4 70.5 225 6 3 -10.0 -5.5
6250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
________________________________________________________________________________
This product is issued once per day, at approximately 730 AM local
time. It is not continuously monitored nor updated after its initial
issuance.
The information contained herein is based on numerical weather prediction
model data for the Moriarty Municipal Airport site in Moriarty, New Mexico at
North Latitude: 34.9781667 deg
West Longitude: 106.0000278 deg
Elevation: 6204.2 feet (1891.0 meters)
and may not be representative of other areas along and east of the Sandia
and Manzano Mountains. Note that some elevations in numerical weather
prediction models differ from actual station elevations, which can lead to
data which appear to be below ground. Erroneous data such as these should
not be used.
The content and format of this report as well as the issuance times are subject
to change without prior notice. Comments are welcome and should be directed
to one of the addresses or phone numbers shown at the bottom of this page.
DEFINITIONS:
CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) - An integrated measure of the
energy available for convective development, also known as the positive
area on a thermodynamic diagram. Units are Joules per kilogram. Larger
values are indicative of greater instability and the possibility of
stronger convective activity, including thunderstorms. Values around or
greater than 1000 suggest the possibility of severe weather should
convective activity develop.
CINH (Convective Inhibition) - An integrated measure of the amount of energy
needed to initiate convective activity, also known as the negative area on
a thermodynamic diagram. Units are Joules per kilogram. The more negative
this number, the more energy is required to initiate convection. This
inhibitive energy can be overcome through surface heating, cooling aloft,
lifting mechanisms (orographic, frontal, gravity waves, etc.)
Convective Condensation Level - The height to which an air parcel possessing the
average saturation mixing ratio in the lowest 4000 feet of the airmass,
if heated sufficiently from below, will rise dry adiabatically until it
just becomes saturated. It estimates the base of cumulus clouds that are
produced by surface heating only.
Convection Temperature (ConvectionT) - The surface temperature required to make
the airmass dry adiabatic up to the given level. It can be considered a
"trigger temperature" for that level.
Freezing Level - The height where the temperature is zero degrees Celsius.
Height of Stable Layer - The height (between 12,000 and 18,000 feet above
mean sea level) where the smallest lapse rate exists. The location and
existence of this feature is important in the generation of mountain
waves.
K Index - A measure of stability which combines the temperature difference
between approximately 5,000 and 18,000 feet above the surface, the amount
of moisture at approximately 5,000 feet above the surface, and a measure
of the dryness at approximately 10,000 feet above the surface. Larger
positive numbers indicate more instability and a greater likelihood of
thunderstorm development. One interpretation of K index values regarding
soaring in the western United States is given in WMO Technical Note 158
and is reproduced in the following table:
below -10 no or weak thermals
-10 to 5 dry thermals or 1/8 cumulus with moderate thermals
5 to 15 good soaring conditions
15 to 20 good soaring conditions with occasional showers
20 to 30 excellent soaring conditions, but increasing
probability of showers and thunderstorms
above 30 more than 60 percent probability of thunderstorms
Lapse Rate - The change with height of the temperature. Negative values indicate
inversions.
Lifted Condensation Level - The height to which an air parcel possessing the
average dew point in the lowest 4000 feet of the airmass and the forecast
maximum temperature must be lifted dry adiabatically to attain saturation.
Lifted Index (LI) - The difference between the environmental temperature at a
level approximately 18,000 feet above the surface and the temperature of
an air parcel lifted dry adiabatically from the surface to its lifted
condensation level and then pseudoadiabatically thereafter to this same
level. The parcel's initial temperature is the forecast maximum
temperature and its dew point is the average dew point in the lowest 4000
feet of the airmass. Negative values are indicative of instability with
positive values showing stable conditions.
Lift Rate - An experimental estimate of the strength of thermals. It is
computed the same way as the maximum rate of lift but uses the actual
level rather than the maximum height of thermals in the calculation.
Also, none of the empirical adjustments based on cloudiness and K-index
are applied to these calculations.
Maximum Height of Thermals - The height where the dry adiabat through the
forecast maximum temperature intersects the environmental temperature.
Maximum Rate of Lift - An estimate of the maximum strength of thermals. It
is computed from an empirical formula which combines the expected maximum
height of thermals with the difference in the environmental temperatures
between the maximum height of thermals and the temperature 4,000 feet
above the ground. After this computation, further empirical adjustments
are made based on the value of the K-index and the amount and opacity of
middle and high level cloudiness expected between the time of trigger
temperature and the time of overdevelopment.
Middle/High Clouds - The amount and opacity of middle (altostratus, altocumulus)
or high (cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus) clouds. Broken means that
between 60% and 90% of the sky is covered by the cloud, with overcast
conditions occurring when more than 90% of the sky is covered by the cloud.
Thin implies that the clouds are predominantly transparent, meaning that
some sunlight is reaching the ground, in contrast to opaque which suggests
that little sunlight is reaching the ground.
Potential Height of Wave - The minimum of the following two heights:
1. Level above the height of stable layer (or 14,000 feet if none exists)
where the wind direction changes by 30 degrees or more
2. Level above the height of stable layer (or 14,000 feet if none exists)
where the wind speed no longer increases with height
PVA/NVA - Positive vorticity advection (PVA)/negative vorticity advection (NVA)
on the 500 millibar isobaric surface (approximately 18,000 feet above mean
sea level). Weak PVA has been shown to assist in mountain wave soaring.
Soaring Window - The time between the time the trigger temperature is reached
and the time of overdevelopment.
Thermal Index - The difference between the environmental temperature and the
temperature at a particular level determined by following the dry adiabat
through the forecast maximum temperature up to that level. Negative values
are indicative of thermal lift.
Thermal Soaring Index - An adjective rating (for sailplanes) based on the
computed maximum rate of lift, and the wind speed and middle and high
cloud cover expected during the soaring window (the time of the trigger
temperature and the time of overdevelopment) according to the following:
Maximum rate of lift Adjective Rating
>= 800 fpm Excellent
>= 400 and < 800 fpm Good
>= 200 and < 400 fpm Fair
< 200 fpm Poor
Time of Overdevelopment - The time one or more of the following phenomena,
which essentially shut off thermal lift, is expected to occur:
1. formation of broken to overcast convective cloud cover
2. formation of scattered to numerous downbursts
3. initiation of widespread precipitation
Time of Trigger Temperature - The time the surface temperature is expected to
reach the trigger temperature.
Trigger Temperature - The surface temperature required to make the first 4000
feet of the atmosphere dry adiabatic.
Wave Soaring Index - An empirical, adjective rating (for sailplanes) which
attempts to combine a variety of phenomena important in mountain wave
soaring into a single index number. Objective points are assigned to
these phenomena: wind speed and direction at 14,000 ft MSL, the static
stability in the 12,000-18,000 ft MSL layer, the wind speed gradient above
the stable layer, jet stream location and frontal and upper trough
movements.
042613
Soaring Forecast for Albuquerque NM
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
0723 MDT Sunday August 16 2026
This forecast is for Sunday, August 16, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 83.0 F/28.3 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 1353 ft/min (6.9 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 18070 ft MSL (12396 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 92.0 F/33.8 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1030 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................. 16176 ft MSL (10503 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Monday 08/17....... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:27:35 / 19:53:53 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 13 hr 26 min 18 sec (806 min 18 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:10:44 MDT... 68.37 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 08/16/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 15582 ft MSL (9908 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 17239 ft MSL (11565 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 18028 ft MSL (12354 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... -0.2
K index......................... +26.6
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 -65.3 -85.5 215 13 7 1.6 0.9 79.7 175.4 27.3 M M
45000 -60.9 -77.6 215 22 11 5.3 2.9 63.8 146.8 19.2 M M
40000 -51.6 -60.9 230 20 10 8.3 4.6 54.8 130.6 14.5 M M
38000 -46.6 -51.9 235 18 9 8.4 4.6 53.5 128.3 14.0 M M
36000 -41.6 -42.9 235 16 8 8.2 4.5 52.6 126.8 13.7 M M
34000 -36.7 -34.1 225 17 9 8.2 4.5 51.1 123.9 12.9 M M
32000 -31.8 -25.2 215 18 9 8.0 4.4 50.1 122.1 12.4 M M
30000 -27.0 -16.6 225 15 8 7.9 4.4 48.4 119.1 11.5 M M
29000 -24.6 -12.3 235 15 7 8.0 4.4 47.8 118.0 11.2 M M
28000 -22.4 -8.3 240 14 7 5.6 3.1 47.0 116.5 10.7 M M
27000 -20.6 -5.1 230 15 8 5.9 3.3 45.4 113.7 9.6 M M
26000 -18.9 -2.0 225 15 8 6.1 3.3 44.0 111.2 8.5 M M
25000 -16.6 2.1 220 16 8 6.3 3.5 42.4 108.4 7.3 M M
24000 -14.8 5.4 225 13 7 6.4 3.5 41.1 106.0 6.2 M M
23000 -12.9 8.8 225 11 6 6.4 3.5 39.9 103.8 5.2 M M
22000 -11.0 12.2 230 9 5 7.0 3.9 38.8 101.9 4.3 M M
21000 -9.0 15.8 225 9 5 7.0 3.8 37.8 100.0 3.4 M M
20000 -6.9 19.6 220 8 4 7.0 3.8 36.8 98.3 2.6 M M
19500 -5.9 21.4 215 8 4 5.9 3.2 36.4 97.5 2.2 M M
19000 -5.2 22.6 215 7 4 5.2 2.8 35.6 96.0 1.4 M M
18500 -4.5 23.9 215 7 3 5.3 2.9 34.8 94.6 0.7 M M
18000 -3.9 25.0 210 5 3 3.9 2.1 33.9 93.0 -0.2 1148 5.8
17500 -3.3 26.1 195 4 2 4.1 2.2 32.9 91.2 -1.1 1117 5.7
17000 -2.8 27.0 175 3 2 5.3 2.9 32.0 89.5 -2.0 1086 5.5
16500 -1.9 28.6 150 2 1 6.2 3.4 31.4 88.4 -2.6 1045 5.3
16000 -1.0 30.2 120 2 1 6.6 3.6 30.8 87.4 -3.2 1003 5.1
15500 0.1 32.2 085 2 1 8.6 4.7 30.5 86.8 -3.5 954 4.8
15000 1.4 34.5 035 2 1 8.5 4.6 30.3 86.5 -3.7 902 4.6
14500 2.7 36.9 005 3 1 9.1 5.0 30.1 86.2 -3.9 848 4.3
14000 4.1 39.4 355 4 2 9.0 5.0 30.0 86.0 -4.0 792 4.0
13500 5.4 41.7 350 5 2 9.4 5.1 29.9 85.8 -4.1 736 3.7
13000 6.9 44.4 355 5 3 9.5 5.2 29.8 85.7 -4.2 678 3.4
12500 8.3 46.9 360 6 3 9.4 5.2 29.8 85.7 -4.2 621 3.2
12000 9.7 49.5 005 6 3 9.4 5.1 29.8 85.6 -4.3 564 2.9
11500 11.1 52.0 005 7 3 9.2 5.1 29.7 85.5 -4.3 506 2.6
11000 12.5 54.5 005 7 3 9.0 4.9 29.6 85.3 -4.5 451 2.3
10500 13.9 57.0 010 7 3 9.4 5.2 29.5 85.1 -4.5 394 2.0
10250 14.6 58.3 015 7 3 8.9 4.9 29.5 85.0 -4.6 366 1.9
10000 15.2 59.4 015 7 3 8.7 4.8 29.4 84.9 -4.7 338 1.7
9750 15.9 60.6 020 7 3 9.2 5.1 29.3 84.8 -4.7 311 1.6
9500 16.6 61.9 020 7 3 7.6 4.1 29.3 84.7 -4.8 284 1.4
9250 17.1 62.8 025 7 4 7.0 3.8 29.0 84.2 -5.1 261 1.3
9000 17.7 63.9 030 7 4 8.2 4.5 28.9 84.0 -5.2 236 1.2
8750 18.8 65.8 035 7 4 7.0 3.8 28.6 83.5 -5.5 187 0.9
8500 19.3 66.7 040 8 4 6.1 3.3 28.3 83.0 -5.8 166 0.8
8250 19.7 67.5 040 8 4 6.6 3.6 28.1 82.5 -6.1 145 0.7
8000 20.2 68.4 045 8 4 6.4 3.5 27.8 82.1 -6.4 124 0.6
7750 20.6 69.1 050 8 4 6.2 3.4 27.6 81.6 -6.7 103 0.5
7500 21.0 69.8 050 9 4 5.5 3.0 27.3 81.1 -7.1 84 0.4
7250 21.4 70.5 050 9 4 3.8 2.1 26.9 80.4 -7.5 67 0.3
7000 21.5 70.7 050 9 4 3.3 1.8 26.4 79.5 -8.0 53 0.3
6750 21.8 71.2 045 8 4 4.2 2.3 25.9 78.7 -8.5 38 0.2
6500 22.1 71.8 045 8 4 4.3 2.4 25.5 78.0 -9.0 22 0.1
6250 22.4 72.3 040 8 4 3.2 1.8 25.1 77.2 -9.5 6 0.0
6000 22.4 72.3 035 8 4 -4.8 -2.6 24.4 75.9 -10.2 M M
5750 21.2 70.2 035 5 3 -31.1 -17.1 22.5 72.4 -12.1 27 0.1
5500 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
08/16/2026 at 0900 MDT | 08/16/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... +58.5 LI... -0.8 | CAPE... +66.3 LI... -1.3
CINH... -50.5 K Index... +24.6 | CINH... -8.2 K Index... +29.2
|
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 -65.5 -85.9 225 14 7 1.8 1.0 | -65.2 -85.4 235 17 9 2.1 1.1
45000 -61.0 -77.8 230 25 13 5.3 2.9 | -60.7 -77.3 240 27 14 4.8 2.6
40000 -51.8 -61.2 230 24 12 8.2 4.5 | -52.0 -61.6 225 22 11 8.3 4.6
38000 -46.8 -52.2 220 21 11 8.2 4.5 | -47.0 -52.6 220 20 10 8.3 4.6
36000 -41.9 -43.4 215 18 9 8.1 4.5 | -42.0 -43.6 210 19 10 8.3 4.5
34000 -37.1 -34.8 210 17 9 8.1 4.5 | -37.1 -34.8 210 19 10 8.3 4.5
32000 -32.2 -26.0 210 17 9 7.9 4.3 | -32.1 -25.8 215 19 10 8.1 4.4
30000 -27.7 -17.9 220 13 7 7.5 4.1 | -27.4 -17.3 215 16 8 7.9 4.4
29000 -25.4 -13.7 225 11 6 7.5 4.1 | -25.0 -13.0 220 14 7 7.9 4.4
28000 -23.2 -9.8 230 10 5 6.7 3.6 | -22.8 -9.0 220 13 7 6.4 3.5
27000 -21.2 -6.2 225 11 6 6.8 3.7 | -20.8 -5.4 225 13 6 6.5 3.6
26000 -18.7 -1.7 220 12 6 6.8 3.7 | -18.3 -0.9 230 12 6 6.5 3.6
25000 -16.7 1.9 215 12 6 6.4 3.5 | -16.4 2.5 230 11 6 5.8 3.2
24000 -14.8 5.4 210 10 5 6.5 3.6 | -14.7 5.5 225 10 5 6.0 3.3
23000 -12.9 8.8 205 8 4 6.6 3.6 | -13.0 8.6 220 8 4 6.1 3.4
22000 -11.1 12.0 195 7 3 5.8 3.2 | -11.3 11.7 210 6 3 5.7 3.1
21000 -9.4 15.1 205 6 3 6.0 3.3 | -9.6 14.7 205 5 3 5.8 3.2
20000 -7.7 18.1 215 4 2 6.0 3.3 | -7.9 17.8 190 4 2 5.8 3.2
19500 -6.8 19.8 220 4 2 5.8 3.2 | -7.1 19.2 185 4 2 5.7 3.1
19000 -6.0 21.2 220 5 2 5.6 3.1 | -6.3 20.7 185 4 2 5.7 3.1
18500 -5.2 22.6 225 5 3 5.5 3.0 | -5.5 22.1 185 3 2 5.7 3.1
18000 -4.3 24.3 220 5 3 6.9 3.8 | -4.5 23.9 190 3 2 6.9 3.8
17500 -3.3 26.1 220 6 3 6.8 3.7 | -3.6 25.5 195 4 2 6.8 3.7
17000 -2.3 27.9 215 6 3 7.1 3.9 | -2.6 27.3 200 4 2 7.4 4.1
16500 -1.3 29.7 210 6 3 7.2 4.0 | -1.5 29.3 200 4 2 7.7 4.2
16000 -0.2 31.6 205 5 3 7.4 4.0 | -0.4 31.3 200 4 2 7.9 4.3
15500 0.9 33.6 200 4 2 7.9 4.3 | 0.8 33.4 190 4 2 8.3 4.6
15000 2.0 35.6 190 3 2 7.8 4.3 | 2.0 35.6 180 4 2 8.3 4.5
14500 3.2 37.8 180 2 1 8.3 4.5 | 3.3 37.9 170 4 2 8.8 4.8
14000 4.4 39.9 000 0 0 8.2 4.5 | 4.6 40.3 150 4 2 8.8 4.8
13500 5.7 42.3 005 1 1 8.6 4.7 | 5.9 42.6 130 4 2 8.5 4.7
13000 7.0 44.6 355 3 1 8.6 4.7 | 7.1 44.8 110 3 2 8.5 4.6
12500 8.3 46.9 355 4 2 8.9 4.9 | 8.4 47.1 090 4 2 9.0 5.0
12000 9.6 49.3 360 5 2 9.0 4.9 | 9.8 49.6 085 4 2 9.2 5.1
11500 11.0 51.8 005 5 3 8.7 4.8 | 11.1 52.0 080 4 2 9.3 5.1
11000 12.3 54.1 010 6 3 8.5 4.7 | 12.5 54.5 075 4 2 9.3 5.1
10500 13.6 56.5 015 7 3 8.2 4.5 | 13.9 57.0 075 4 2 9.3 5.1
10250 14.2 57.6 015 7 3 8.0 4.4 | 14.6 58.3 075 4 2 9.9 5.4
10000 14.8 58.6 020 7 4 8.0 4.4 | 15.3 59.5 075 4 2 9.8 5.4
9750 15.4 59.7 025 7 4 8.2 4.5 | 16.0 60.8 075 4 2 9.6 5.3
9500 16.0 60.8 025 7 4 7.2 4.0 | 16.7 62.1 070 4 2 8.5 4.7
9250 17.0 62.6 035 7 4 7.9 4.3 | 18.1 64.6 070 4 2 10.3 5.7
9000 17.5 63.5 040 7 4 7.6 4.2 | 18.9 66.0 070 4 2 10.0 5.5
8750 18.1 64.6 050 7 4 7.5 4.1 | 19.6 67.3 070 4 2 9.3 5.1
8500 18.6 65.5 050 7 4 6.4 3.5 | 20.3 68.5 065 4 2 9.7 5.3
8250 18.9 66.0 055 7 4 5.5 3.0 | 21.0 69.8 065 4 2 10.5 5.8
8000 19.3 66.7 065 7 4 5.5 3.0 | 21.8 71.2 065 4 2 10.2 5.6
7750 19.6 67.3 070 7 4 4.9 2.7 | 22.6 72.7 065 4 2 9.6 5.3
7500 19.9 67.8 070 7 4 5.2 2.9 | 23.3 73.9 060 4 2 9.8 5.4
7250 20.3 68.5 070 7 4 6.6 3.6 | 24.0 75.2 060 4 2 10.9 6.0
7000 20.8 69.4 070 7 4 8.4 4.6 | 24.9 76.8 060 3 2 10.7 5.9
6750 21.5 70.7 070 7 4 9.6 5.3 | 25.6 78.1 060 3 2 10.2 5.6
6500 22.2 72.0 070 7 4 9.4 5.2 | 26.4 79.5 055 3 2 9.9 5.5
6250 22.9 73.2 070 7 4 10.3 5.6 | 27.2 81.0 055 3 2 11.1 6.1
6000 23.8 74.8 070 7 3 15.1 8.3 | 28.2 82.8 050 3 2 18.7 10.3
5750 25.2 77.4 070 6 3 24.8 13.6 | 30.2 86.4 045 3 1 36.6 20.1
5500 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
08/16/2026 at 1500 MDT | 08/16/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +78.7 LI... -1.1 | CAPE... +82.8 LI... -1.5
CINH... -3.0 K Index... +32.2 | CINH... -13.6 K Index... +29.9
|
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 -64.2 -83.6 255 19 10 2.0 1.1 | -64.8 -84.6 260 19 10 2.1 1.2
45000 -60.1 -76.2 250 26 14 4.0 2.2 | -60.2 -76.4 235 26 13 4.7 2.6
40000 -52.4 -62.3 230 23 12 8.4 4.6 | -51.7 -61.1 210 25 13 8.2 4.5
38000 -47.3 -53.1 230 22 11 8.5 4.6 | -46.7 -52.1 215 23 12 8.2 4.5
36000 -42.2 -44.0 230 20 10 8.4 4.6 | -41.8 -43.2 220 21 11 8.6 4.7
34000 -37.2 -35.0 230 20 10 8.4 4.6 | -36.7 -34.1 230 20 10 8.6 4.7
32000 -32.2 -26.0 230 19 10 8.0 4.4 | -31.5 -24.7 245 19 10 8.1 4.5
30000 -27.7 -17.9 230 15 8 7.7 4.2 | -26.9 -16.4 250 16 8 7.7 4.2
29000 -25.4 -13.7 230 13 7 7.7 4.2 | -24.6 -12.3 255 14 7 7.8 4.3
28000 -23.2 -9.8 230 12 6 6.8 3.8 | -22.4 -8.3 260 12 6 6.3 3.4
27000 -21.0 -5.8 235 11 6 7.0 3.8 | -20.6 -5.1 260 11 6 6.4 3.5
26000 -18.4 -1.1 235 11 6 7.0 3.8 | -18.7 -1.7 260 10 5 6.4 3.5
25000 -16.3 2.7 240 10 5 6.5 3.6 | -16.3 2.7 260 8 4 6.8 3.7
24000 -14.4 6.1 230 8 4 6.7 3.7 | -14.2 6.4 265 6 3 6.8 3.7
23000 -12.4 9.7 220 6 3 6.8 3.7 | -12.2 10.0 270 5 2 6.8 3.7
22000 -10.6 12.9 205 4 2 5.8 3.2 | -10.3 13.5 275 4 2 5.3 2.9
21000 -8.9 16.0 185 4 2 6.0 3.3 | -8.7 16.3 265 2 1 5.6 3.0
20000 -7.2 19.0 165 4 2 6.1 3.3 | -7.2 19.0 240 2 1 5.7 3.1
19500 -6.4 20.5 160 4 2 5.9 3.3 | -6.4 20.5 225 1 1 5.4 2.9
19000 -5.5 22.1 160 3 2 5.9 3.2 | -5.7 21.7 235 2 1 5.2 2.8
18500 -4.7 23.5 160 3 2 5.9 3.2 | -5.0 23.0 240 3 1 5.1 2.8
18000 -3.8 25.2 160 3 1 6.7 3.7 | -4.1 24.6 250 3 2 7.7 4.2
17500 -2.8 27.0 160 3 1 6.7 3.7 | -3.0 26.6 265 3 2 7.5 4.1
17000 -1.9 28.6 165 2 1 6.6 3.6 | -1.9 28.6 275 4 2 8.4 4.6
16500 -1.0 30.2 165 2 1 6.6 3.6 | -0.6 30.9 285 4 2 8.7 4.8
16000 -0.0 32.0 175 2 1 6.8 3.8 | 0.7 33.3 290 4 2 8.8 4.8
15500 1.0 33.8 175 1 1 7.7 4.2 | 2.0 35.6 295 4 2 8.9 4.9
15000 2.2 36.0 180 1 1 7.4 4.1 | 3.3 37.9 300 5 2 8.9 4.9
14500 3.5 38.3 180 1 1 9.9 5.5 | 4.6 40.3 300 5 2 9.0 4.9
14000 4.9 40.8 175 1 1 9.7 5.3 | 6.0 42.8 300 5 2 9.0 4.9
13500 6.3 43.3 175 1 1 9.5 5.2 | 7.3 45.1 300 4 2 9.2 5.0
13000 7.8 46.0 170 1 1 9.5 5.2 | 8.7 47.7 300 4 2 9.2 5.1
12500 9.2 48.6 165 1 1 9.6 5.3 | 10.1 50.2 295 4 2 9.3 5.1
12000 10.6 51.1 165 2 1 9.7 5.3 | 11.5 52.7 295 3 2 9.4 5.2
11500 12.1 53.8 160 2 1 9.6 5.3 | 12.9 55.2 285 3 1 9.4 5.1
11000 13.5 56.3 155 2 1 9.5 5.2 | 14.3 57.7 275 2 1 9.2 5.1
10500 15.0 59.0 155 2 1 10.2 5.6 | 15.7 60.3 260 2 1 9.7 5.3
10250 15.8 60.4 155 2 1 9.8 5.4 | 16.4 61.5 245 1 1 9.1 5.0
10000 16.5 61.7 155 2 1 9.9 5.4 | 17.1 62.8 225 1 1 9.1 5.0
9750 17.2 63.0 155 2 1 10.0 5.5 | 17.7 63.9 200 1 1 9.3 5.1
9500 18.0 64.4 155 2 1 9.0 4.9 | 18.4 65.1 180 1 1 8.5 4.7
9250 18.6 65.5 155 2 1 9.6 5.3 | 19.0 66.2 170 2 1 8.8 4.8
9000 19.4 66.9 155 2 1 10.8 5.9 | 19.7 67.5 155 2 1 9.5 5.2
8750 20.2 68.4 160 2 1 10.7 5.9 | 20.4 68.7 145 2 1 9.7 5.3
8500 21.5 70.7 160 1 1 9.0 4.9 | 21.1 70.0 135 3 1 8.1 4.4
8250 22.4 72.3 160 1 1 11.7 6.4 | 21.7 71.1 135 3 1 8.5 4.7
8000 23.2 73.8 165 1 1 10.8 5.9 | 22.4 72.3 130 3 2 10.4 5.7
7750 24.0 75.2 165 1 1 9.8 5.4 | 23.1 73.6 125 4 2 9.9 5.4
7500 24.7 76.5 170 1 1 9.5 5.2 | 23.9 75.0 125 4 2 8.5 4.6
7250 25.5 77.9 175 1 1 10.7 5.9 | 25.1 77.2 120 5 3 10.3 5.7
7000 26.3 79.3 180 1 0 10.7 5.9 | 25.9 78.6 120 5 3 10.4 5.7
6750 27.0 80.6 180 1 0 10.1 5.5 | 26.6 79.9 120 6 3 9.3 5.1
6500 27.8 82.0 185 1 0 10.1 5.5 | 27.3 81.1 120 6 3 9.1 5.0
6250 28.5 83.3 190 1 0 10.1 5.5 | 28.0 82.4 120 6 3 9.7 5.3
6000 29.3 84.7 205 1 0 12.8 7.0 | 28.8 83.8 120 6 3 12.7 7.0
5750 30.7 87.3 225 1 0 27.8 15.2 | 30.1 86.2 120 6 3 25.2 13.8
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
0724 MDT Sunday August 16 2026
This forecast is for Sunday, August 16, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 77.7 F/25.4 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 1053 ft/min (5.3 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 17991 ft MSL (11532 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 88.0 F/31.6 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1000 MDT
Time of overdevelopment........................ 1800 MDT
Middle/high clouds during soaring window....... None
Surface winds during soaring window............ 20 mph or less
Height of the -3 thermal index................. 15869 ft MSL (9410 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Monday 08/17....... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:24:36 / 19:52:39 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 13 hr 28 min 3 sec (808 min 3 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:08:37 MDT... 67.85 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 08/16/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 15738 ft MSL (9279 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 17756 ft MSL (11297 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 18049 ft MSL (11590 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... -0.0
K index......................... +21.2
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 -65.4 -85.7 220 16 8 1.7 0.9 76.9 170.4 27.2 M M
45000 -61.0 -77.8 220 26 14 5.3 2.9 61.2 142.2 19.1 M M
40000 -51.7 -61.1 230 22 11 8.4 4.6 52.3 126.2 14.4 M M
38000 -46.6 -51.9 235 21 11 8.4 4.6 51.0 123.9 13.9 M M
36000 -41.6 -42.9 240 19 10 8.2 4.5 50.2 122.4 13.7 M M
34000 -36.7 -34.1 235 20 10 8.1 4.5 48.7 119.6 12.9 M M
32000 -31.9 -25.4 230 21 11 8.0 4.4 47.6 117.7 12.4 M M
30000 -27.2 -17.0 235 18 9 7.7 4.2 45.8 114.4 11.3 M M
29000 -24.9 -12.8 240 17 9 7.7 4.2 45.1 113.1 10.9 M M
28000 -22.7 -8.9 240 15 8 6.1 3.4 44.2 111.6 10.4 M M
27000 -20.4 -4.7 230 14 7 6.3 3.5 42.5 108.5 9.1 M M
26000 -18.5 -1.3 225 13 7 6.4 3.5 41.3 106.3 8.2 M M
25000 -16.6 2.1 215 13 7 6.6 3.6 40.1 104.2 7.3 M M
24000 -14.6 5.7 215 11 6 6.6 3.6 38.9 102.0 6.3 M M
23000 -12.7 9.1 215 10 5 6.7 3.7 37.8 100.0 5.4 M M
22000 -10.8 12.6 215 9 5 6.0 3.3 36.7 98.1 4.5 M M
21000 -9.0 15.8 225 8 4 6.0 3.3 35.3 95.6 3.4 M M
20000 -7.3 18.9 235 8 4 6.1 3.3 34.1 93.4 2.2 M M
19500 -6.4 20.5 240 8 4 6.3 3.4 33.5 92.3 1.7 M M
19000 -5.4 22.3 245 8 4 6.5 3.5 32.9 91.3 1.2 M M
18500 -4.5 23.9 250 8 4 6.6 3.6 32.4 90.3 0.7 M M
18000 -3.7 25.3 255 8 4 5.2 2.9 31.7 89.1 0.1 M M
17500 -2.9 26.8 255 8 4 5.3 2.9 31.0 87.7 -0.7 1018 5.2
17000 -2.1 28.2 260 8 4 5.4 3.0 30.2 86.4 -1.3 980 5.0
16500 -1.4 29.5 265 8 4 5.6 3.1 29.5 85.1 -2.1 942 4.8
16000 -0.6 30.9 270 7 4 5.7 3.1 28.8 83.9 -2.8 905 4.6
15500 0.4 32.7 270 7 3 8.5 4.7 28.4 83.2 -3.2 859 4.4
15000 1.6 34.9 275 6 3 8.2 4.5 28.2 82.7 -3.5 809 4.1
14500 2.9 37.2 275 6 3 9.3 5.1 28.0 82.4 -3.7 756 3.8
14000 4.2 39.6 285 5 3 9.4 5.1 27.9 82.3 -3.8 700 3.6
13500 5.6 42.1 295 5 3 8.9 4.9 27.9 82.2 -3.9 644 3.3
13000 6.9 44.4 305 5 3 8.7 4.8 27.7 81.9 -4.1 590 3.0
12500 8.3 46.9 315 6 3 8.6 4.7 27.6 81.6 -4.2 535 2.7
12000 9.5 49.1 320 6 3 8.4 4.6 27.3 81.2 -4.4 482 2.4
11500 11.4 52.5 335 5 3 7.5 4.1 27.0 80.6 -4.8 404 2.1
11000 12.5 54.5 350 6 3 7.4 4.1 26.6 79.9 -5.2 356 1.8
10500 13.6 56.5 015 6 3 7.3 4.0 26.3 79.3 -5.5 308 1.6
10250 14.2 57.6 020 6 3 7.1 3.9 26.1 78.9 -5.7 285 1.4
10000 14.7 58.5 025 6 3 7.1 3.9 25.9 78.6 -6.0 262 1.3
9750 15.2 59.4 025 7 3 7.3 4.0 25.7 78.2 -6.2 239 1.2
9500 15.7 60.3 035 6 3 7.6 4.2 25.5 77.9 -6.4 216 1.1
9250 16.2 61.2 040 6 3 7.2 3.9 25.3 77.6 -6.6 193 1.0
9000 16.7 62.1 045 6 3 6.9 3.8 25.1 77.2 -6.9 171 0.9
8750 17.2 63.0 050 6 3 6.6 3.6 24.9 76.8 -7.1 148 0.8
8500 17.7 63.9 060 6 3 6.2 3.4 24.6 76.3 -7.5 128 0.6
8250 18.1 64.6 065 5 3 6.2 3.4 24.4 75.8 -7.8 108 0.5
8000 18.5 65.3 075 5 3 5.9 3.3 24.1 75.3 -8.1 87 0.4
7750 18.9 66.0 080 6 3 5.5 3.0 23.8 74.8 -8.4 67 0.3
7500 19.3 66.7 085 5 3 4.7 2.6 23.4 74.1 -8.8 49 0.2
7250 19.7 67.5 085 5 3 6.4 3.5 23.1 73.5 -9.2 30 0.2
7000 20.0 68.0 090 5 2 -0.2 -0.1 22.7 72.9 -9.6 12 0.1
6750 19.3 66.7 090 5 2 -19.7 -10.8 21.2 70.2 -11.0 26 0.1
6500 17.8 64.0 095 4 2 -11.3 -6.2 19.0 66.2 -13.3 64 0.3
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
08/16/2026 at 0900 MDT | 08/16/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... +40.1 LI... +0.1 | CAPE... +55.3 LI... -1.1
CINH... -43.0 K Index... +21.7 | CINH... -4.1 K Index... +24.6
|
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 -65.2 -85.4 240 19 10 1.7 0.9 | -65.0 -85.0 230 19 10 1.5 0.8
45000 -60.4 -76.7 235 31 16 5.2 2.8 | -60.5 -76.9 235 29 15 5.0 2.7
40000 -51.7 -61.1 230 26 13 8.2 4.5 | -52.1 -61.8 225 24 12 8.2 4.5
38000 -46.8 -52.2 230 22 11 8.3 4.5 | -47.1 -52.8 215 22 11 8.2 4.5
36000 -41.9 -43.4 230 19 10 7.9 4.3 | -42.2 -44.0 210 20 10 8.3 4.5
34000 -37.2 -35.0 225 19 10 7.8 4.3 | -37.3 -35.1 215 20 10 8.3 4.6
32000 -32.5 -26.5 220 18 9 7.8 4.3 | -32.3 -26.1 220 20 10 8.2 4.5
30000 -27.8 -18.0 225 14 7 7.7 4.2 | -27.5 -17.5 220 15 8 8.0 4.4
29000 -25.5 -13.9 225 12 6 7.7 4.2 | -25.0 -13.0 220 13 7 8.0 4.4
28000 -22.8 -9.0 225 11 6 6.8 3.7 | -22.3 -8.1 225 11 6 6.7 3.7
27000 -20.7 -5.3 225 13 6 6.8 3.8 | -20.3 -4.5 235 11 6 6.6 3.6
26000 -18.7 -1.7 220 14 7 7.0 3.8 | -18.3 -0.9 240 11 6 6.6 3.6
25000 -16.7 1.9 215 15 8 6.4 3.5 | -16.4 2.5 240 11 6 5.6 3.1
24000 -14.8 5.4 215 14 7 6.5 3.6 | -14.7 5.5 240 11 6 5.8 3.2
23000 -12.9 8.8 210 13 7 6.5 3.6 | -13.0 8.6 235 11 6 6.0 3.3
22000 -11.0 12.2 210 12 6 5.8 3.2 | -11.4 11.5 235 10 5 5.0 2.8
21000 -9.3 15.3 210 11 6 5.9 3.3 | -9.9 14.2 235 8 4 5.2 2.9
20000 -7.6 18.3 215 10 5 6.0 3.3 | -8.4 16.9 235 6 3 5.3 2.9
19500 -6.7 19.9 215 9 5 6.1 3.4 | -7.7 18.1 230 5 3 6.3 3.5
19000 -5.9 21.4 215 8 4 6.2 3.4 | -6.7 19.9 225 5 3 6.8 3.7
18500 -5.0 23.0 215 6 3 6.2 3.4 | -5.7 21.7 220 5 3 6.8 3.7
18000 -4.0 24.8 225 5 3 6.6 3.6 | -4.6 23.7 215 5 3 8.0 4.4
17500 -3.1 26.4 245 5 2 6.6 3.6 | -3.4 25.9 215 5 3 7.9 4.3
17000 -2.2 28.0 260 5 2 6.7 3.7 | -2.3 27.9 210 5 2 7.8 4.3
16500 -1.2 29.8 275 5 3 6.8 3.7 | -1.1 30.0 210 4 2 7.8 4.3
16000 -0.2 31.6 280 6 3 6.9 3.8 | 0.0 32.0 210 4 2 7.8 4.3
15500 0.9 33.6 290 6 3 7.7 4.2 | 1.2 34.2 215 3 1 7.7 4.2
15000 2.0 35.6 295 6 3 7.6 4.2 | 2.3 36.1 225 2 1 7.7 4.2
14500 3.2 37.8 300 6 3 8.5 4.7 | 3.5 38.3 235 2 1 8.6 4.7
14000 4.4 39.9 305 6 3 8.5 4.7 | 4.7 40.5 255 2 1 8.5 4.7
13500 5.7 42.3 310 6 3 8.6 4.7 | 6.0 42.8 270 1 1 8.7 4.8
13000 7.0 44.6 320 5 3 8.6 4.7 | 7.2 45.0 280 1 0 8.7 4.8
12500 8.3 46.9 325 5 3 8.3 4.6 | 8.5 47.3 000 0 0 9.0 4.9
12000 9.5 49.1 340 5 3 8.0 4.4 | 9.9 49.8 000 0 0 9.1 5.0
11500 11.2 52.2 355 5 3 7.1 3.9 | 11.2 52.2 000 0 0 9.4 5.1
11000 12.3 54.1 005 6 3 7.4 4.1 | 13.3 55.9 000 0 0 9.2 5.0
10500 13.3 55.9 020 6 3 6.0 3.3 | 14.7 58.5 110 1 0 9.8 5.4
10250 13.8 56.8 025 6 3 6.0 3.3 | 15.4 59.7 115 1 0 9.4 5.1
10000 14.2 57.6 030 6 3 6.1 3.3 | 16.1 61.0 000 0 0 9.4 5.1
9750 14.6 58.3 030 5 3 5.7 3.1 | 16.8 62.2 000 0 0 9.7 5.3
9500 14.9 58.8 045 5 2 5.1 2.8 | 17.6 63.7 000 0 0 10.0 5.5
9250 15.3 59.5 060 4 2 6.1 3.3 | 18.3 64.9 135 1 0 9.9 5.4
9000 15.7 60.3 075 4 2 6.7 3.7 | 19.1 66.4 000 0 0 9.9 5.4
8750 16.2 61.2 085 4 2 7.0 3.9 | 19.8 67.6 000 0 0 9.8 5.4
8500 16.7 62.1 095 3 2 7.3 4.0 | 20.5 68.9 000 0 0 9.5 5.2
8250 17.2 63.0 105 3 2 7.8 4.3 | 21.2 70.2 000 0 0 10.0 5.5
8000 17.9 64.2 115 3 2 9.3 5.1 | 22.0 71.6 000 0 0 10.7 5.9
7750 18.6 65.5 120 3 2 9.8 5.4 | 22.8 73.0 200 1 0 10.5 5.7
7500 19.3 66.7 120 3 2 9.9 5.5 | 23.6 74.5 205 1 0 10.6 5.8
7250 20.0 68.0 120 3 2 9.2 5.1 | 24.4 75.9 210 1 0 9.6 5.3
7000 20.8 69.4 125 3 2 11.4 6.3 | 25.2 77.4 210 1 0 13.9 7.6
6750 21.8 71.2 125 3 1 18.1 9.9 | 26.6 79.9 220 1 0 25.1 13.8
6500 23.1 73.6 130 2 1 11.7 6.4 | 28.3 82.9 235 1 0 13.0 7.1
08/16/2026 at 1500 MDT | 08/16/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +127.3 LI... -2.5 | CAPE... +99.6 LI... -1.0
CINH... -0.0 K Index... +29.9 | CINH... -8.6 K Index... +30.7
|
Height Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate | Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft | deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -64.3 -83.7 260 20 10 1.9 1.0 | -63.9 -83.0 270 20 10 2.5 1.4
45000 -60.3 -76.5 250 27 14 4.2 2.3 | -59.6 -75.3 250 24 12 3.5 1.9
40000 -52.3 -62.1 225 24 12 8.6 4.7 | -52.4 -62.3 210 25 13 8.6 4.7
38000 -47.2 -53.0 220 23 12 8.6 4.7 | -47.3 -53.1 215 24 12 8.6 4.7
36000 -42.1 -43.8 215 22 11 8.1 4.4 | -42.2 -44.0 220 23 12 8.5 4.7
34000 -37.3 -35.1 220 22 11 8.0 4.4 | -37.1 -34.8 225 21 11 8.5 4.7
32000 -32.5 -26.5 225 21 11 8.0 4.4 | -32.0 -25.6 235 20 10 8.3 4.6
30000 -27.8 -18.0 220 17 9 7.9 4.3 | -27.2 -17.0 235 17 9 8.0 4.4
29000 -25.4 -13.7 215 15 8 7.9 4.3 | -24.8 -12.6 240 15 8 8.1 4.4
28000 -23.1 -9.6 215 13 7 6.8 3.7 | -22.5 -8.5 240 14 7 6.3 3.5
27000 -20.5 -4.9 220 11 6 6.9 3.8 | -20.0 -4.0 235 12 6 6.6 3.6
26000 -18.4 -1.1 225 10 5 6.9 3.8 | -18.0 -0.4 235 11 6 6.6 3.6
25000 -16.4 2.5 230 9 5 5.8 3.2 | -16.0 3.2 230 10 5 6.7 3.7
24000 -14.7 5.5 235 8 4 6.0 3.3 | -14.0 6.8 230 9 4 6.7 3.7
23000 -12.9 8.8 240 7 4 6.2 3.4 | -12.1 10.2 230 7 4 6.8 3.8
22000 -11.3 11.7 245 6 3 4.5 2.5 | -10.2 13.6 225 6 3 6.0 3.3
21000 -10.0 14.0 245 5 2 4.8 2.6 | -8.4 16.9 225 5 3 6.1 3.4
20000 -8.7 16.3 245 3 2 4.9 2.7 | -6.7 19.9 215 4 2 6.2 3.4
19500 -7.9 17.8 245 3 1 7.1 3.9 | -5.8 21.6 215 3 2 5.3 2.9
19000 -6.7 19.9 245 3 1 8.2 4.5 | -5.2 22.6 245 3 2 4.7 2.6
18500 -5.6 21.9 240 2 1 8.3 4.6 | -4.6 23.7 270 4 2 4.4 2.4
18000 -4.3 24.3 240 3 1 8.6 4.7 | -3.7 25.3 280 6 3 7.5 4.1
17500 -3.1 26.4 235 3 1 8.6 4.7 | -2.7 27.1 285 8 4 7.2 4.0
17000 -1.9 28.6 235 3 1 8.4 4.6 | -1.7 28.9 290 10 5 7.2 4.0
16500 -0.7 30.7 230 3 2 8.2 4.5 | -0.7 30.7 290 10 5 7.2 4.0
16000 0.6 33.1 225 3 2 8.4 4.6 | 0.4 32.7 290 10 5 7.4 4.0
15500 1.9 35.4 225 4 2 9.3 5.1 | 1.6 34.9 290 10 5 8.8 4.8
15000 3.3 37.9 220 4 2 9.2 5.1 | 2.9 37.2 285 9 5 8.7 4.8
14500 4.7 40.5 220 4 2 9.7 5.3 | 4.2 39.6 285 8 4 9.5 5.2
14000 6.1 43.0 220 4 2 9.6 5.3 | 5.6 42.1 280 8 4 9.5 5.2
13500 7.6 45.7 215 4 2 9.5 5.2 | 7.0 44.6 275 7 4 9.6 5.2
13000 9.0 48.2 215 5 2 9.5 5.2 | 8.5 47.3 270 6 3 9.6 5.3
12500 10.4 50.7 215 5 3 9.5 5.2 | 9.9 49.8 260 6 3 9.5 5.2
12000 11.8 53.2 215 5 3 9.6 5.3 | 11.3 52.3 250 5 3 9.4 5.2
11500 13.2 55.8 215 6 3 10.2 5.6 | 12.7 54.9 245 5 3 10.1 5.6
11000 15.5 59.9 215 6 3 9.6 5.3 | 14.1 57.4 225 5 2 9.3 5.1
10500 16.9 62.4 210 7 3 9.9 5.4 | 16.2 61.2 215 5 3 9.0 4.9
10250 17.7 63.9 215 7 3 9.7 5.3 | 16.9 62.4 205 5 3 9.5 5.2
10000 18.4 65.1 215 7 4 9.8 5.4 | 17.6 63.7 200 5 3 9.3 5.1
9750 19.1 66.4 215 7 4 9.8 5.4 | 18.3 64.9 190 5 3 9.5 5.2
9500 19.9 67.8 210 7 4 10.0 5.5 | 19.0 66.2 190 6 3 9.5 5.2
9250 20.6 69.1 210 7 4 9.9 5.4 | 19.7 67.5 190 6 3 9.3 5.1
9000 21.4 70.5 210 7 4 10.0 5.5 | 20.4 68.7 185 6 3 9.1 5.0
8750 22.1 71.8 210 8 4 9.9 5.4 | 21.0 69.8 175 6 3 9.2 5.0
8500 22.8 73.0 210 8 4 9.7 5.3 | 21.7 71.1 175 6 3 9.2 5.1
8250 23.6 74.5 210 8 4 10.0 5.5 | 22.4 72.3 175 7 3 9.3 5.1
8000 24.3 75.7 210 8 4 10.6 5.8 | 23.1 73.6 170 7 3 9.3 5.1
7750 25.1 77.2 210 8 4 10.5 5.7 | 23.8 74.8 165 7 3 9.6 5.3
7500 25.9 78.6 210 8 4 10.5 5.8 | 24.5 76.1 165 7 4 9.9 5.4
7250 26.7 80.1 210 8 4 9.8 5.4 | 25.3 77.5 165 7 4 9.5 5.2
7000 27.4 81.3 210 8 4 12.4 6.8 | 26.0 78.8 165 7 4 9.9 5.5
6750 28.7 83.7 210 8 4 21.8 12.0 | 26.8 80.2 160 7 3 13.3 7.3
6500 30.6 87.1 210 8 4 26.4 14.5 | 28.0 82.4 160 6 3 20.5 11.3
________________________________________________________________________________
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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