Soaring Forecast for Moriarty NM
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
0729 MDT Friday August 14 2026
This forecast is for Friday, August 14, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 76.8 F/24.9 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 1157 ft/min (5.9 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 16964 ft MSL (10644 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 86.0 F/30.5 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................. 14011 ft MSL (7691 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Saturday 08/15..... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:23:40 / 19:53:37 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 13 hr 29 min 57 sec (809 min 57 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:08:38 MDT... 69.10 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 08/14/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 15963 ft MSL (9643 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 13883 ft MSL (7563 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 15221 ft MSL (8901 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... -1.8
K index......................... +29.1
Height Temperature Wind Wind Spd Lapse Rate ConvectionT Thermal Lift Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft deg C deg F Index fpm m/s
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -64.8 -84.6 225 9 5 1.2 0.6 77.6 171.6 28.3 M M
45000 -60.6 -77.1 190 7 4 5.5 3.0 61.3 142.4 19.9 M M
40000 -51.6 -60.9 190 9 5 8.5 4.6 53.2 127.7 15.8 M M
38000 -46.5 -51.7 195 11 6 8.5 4.6 51.9 125.4 15.3 M M
36000 -41.4 -42.5 200 13 7 8.3 4.6 51.2 124.1 15.1 M M
34000 -36.0 -32.8 195 12 6 8.1 4.4 49.4 120.8 14.2 M M
32000 -31.2 -24.2 190 10 5 8.0 4.4 48.3 118.9 13.7 M M
30000 -26.5 -15.7 190 9 5 7.8 4.3 46.6 115.8 12.7 M M
29000 -24.2 -11.6 185 9 4 7.8 4.3 45.9 114.7 12.3 M M
28000 -21.9 -7.4 190 8 4 7.5 4.1 45.2 113.4 11.9 M M
27000 -19.7 -3.5 200 9 5 7.6 4.1 44.3 111.7 11.2 M M
26000 -17.4 0.7 215 10 5 7.6 4.2 43.5 110.3 10.7 M M
25000 -15.2 4.6 220 11 5 6.9 3.8 42.8 109.1 10.2 M M
24000 -13.4 7.9 220 10 5 6.0 3.3 41.4 106.5 9.1 M M
23000 -11.7 10.9 215 10 5 6.1 3.3 40.0 104.1 8.0 M M
22000 -9.9 14.2 210 9 5 5.7 3.1 38.8 101.9 7.0 M M
21000 -8.4 16.9 215 11 6 5.2 2.8 37.1 98.9 5.5 M M
20000 -6.9 19.6 215 13 6 5.2 2.8 35.6 96.0 4.2 M M
19500 -6.2 20.8 215 13 7 5.2 2.9 34.8 94.7 3.5 M M
19000 -5.1 22.8 220 14 7 5.0 2.7 33.6 92.5 2.4 M M
18500 -4.4 24.1 220 14 7 4.9 2.7 32.8 91.1 1.7 M M
18000 -3.6 25.5 220 13 7 6.2 3.4 32.1 89.8 1.0 M M
17500 -2.7 27.1 220 11 6 6.2 3.4 31.5 88.7 0.5 M M
17000 -1.8 28.8 220 10 5 6.4 3.5 30.9 87.6 -0.1 953 4.8
16500 -0.9 30.4 220 8 4 6.6 3.6 30.4 86.6 -0.6 910 4.6
16000 0.1 32.2 225 7 3 6.6 3.6 29.8 85.7 -1.1 866 4.4
15500 1.0 33.8 235 5 3 6.2 3.4 29.3 84.7 -1.7 825 4.2
15000 1.8 35.2 250 4 2 6.2 3.4 28.7 83.7 -2.3 784 4.0
14500 2.8 37.0 270 4 2 8.3 4.5 28.2 82.8 -2.8 741 3.8
14000 4.0 39.2 280 4 2 8.6 4.7 28.1 82.5 -3.0 688 3.5
13500 5.3 41.5 290 4 2 8.4 4.6 27.9 82.2 -3.2 636 3.2
13000 6.5 43.7 305 4 2 8.2 4.5 27.6 81.7 -3.5 585 3.0
12500 7.7 45.9 315 4 2 8.3 4.6 27.4 81.3 -3.8 534 2.7
12000 8.9 48.0 325 4 2 8.5 4.7 27.2 80.9 -4.0 482 2.4
11500 10.2 50.4 335 5 2 9.0 4.9 27.0 80.6 -4.2 430 2.2
11000 11.4 52.5 335 5 3 7.8 4.3 26.8 80.2 -4.5 378 1.9
10500 12.6 54.7 340 5 3 7.9 4.3 26.5 79.8 -4.8 328 1.7
10250 13.2 55.8 340 5 3 7.9 4.4 26.4 79.5 -4.9 304 1.5
10000 13.8 56.8 340 5 3 8.3 4.5 26.3 79.3 -5.1 278 1.4
9750 14.4 57.9 335 5 3 8.2 4.5 26.1 79.0 -5.2 253 1.3
9500 15.0 59.0 335 5 3 8.6 4.7 26.0 78.8 -5.4 227 1.2
9250 15.7 60.3 330 5 3 9.5 5.2 26.0 78.8 -5.4 200 1.0
9000 16.3 61.3 325 5 3 8.5 4.7 25.9 78.7 -5.5 172 0.9
8750 16.9 62.4 320 6 3 7.5 4.1 25.8 78.4 -5.7 147 0.7
8500 17.5 63.5 315 6 3 7.6 4.2 25.6 78.1 -5.8 123 0.6
8250 18.0 64.4 305 7 4 7.6 4.1 25.5 77.8 -6.0 99 0.5
8000 18.6 65.5 295 8 4 7.1 3.9 25.3 77.5 -6.2 75 0.4
7750 19.1 66.4 290 10 5 6.9 3.8 25.1 77.1 -6.5 53 0.3
7500 19.5 67.1 285 11 6 3.2 1.7 24.8 76.6 -6.8 33 0.2
7250 19.5 67.1 280 12 6 -0.0 -0.0 24.1 75.3 -7.5 25 0.1
7000 19.5 67.1 275 13 7 1.1 0.6 23.4 74.1 -8.2 17 0.1
6750 19.5 67.1 275 14 7 -0.6 -0.3 22.7 72.9 -9.0 10 0.0
6500 19.3 66.7 270 12 6 -4.5 -2.5 21.8 71.2 -9.9 9 0.0
6250 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
08/14/2026 at 0900 MDT | 08/14/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... +129.4 LI... -1.5 | CAPE... +256.5 LI... -1.3
CINH... -60.6 K Index... +29.8 | CINH... -4.2 K Index... +29.7
|
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 -65.1 -85.2 200 8 4 1.0 0.5 | -65.3 -85.5 175 11 6 0.6 0.3
45000 -61.0 -77.8 185 10 5 5.8 3.2 | -61.4 -78.5 175 14 7 6.1 3.4
40000 -51.5 -60.7 195 11 6 8.7 4.8 | -51.5 -60.7 215 10 5 8.7 4.8
38000 -46.3 -51.3 195 13 7 8.7 4.8 | -45.7 -50.3 210 9 5 8.7 4.8
36000 -40.5 -40.9 195 15 8 7.9 4.3 | -40.5 -40.9 205 9 4 7.8 4.3
34000 -35.8 -32.4 200 13 7 7.9 4.4 | -35.8 -32.4 200 12 6 7.8 4.3
32000 -31.0 -23.8 210 12 6 7.8 4.3 | -31.1 -24.0 195 15 8 7.8 4.3
30000 -26.5 -15.7 190 12 6 7.6 4.2 | -26.5 -15.7 190 20 10 7.7 4.2
29000 -24.3 -11.7 180 13 7 7.6 4.2 | -24.2 -11.6 190 22 11 7.7 4.2
28000 -22.1 -7.8 175 13 7 6.8 3.7 | -22.0 -7.6 190 23 12 6.2 3.4
27000 -20.0 -4.0 175 13 6 6.9 3.8 | -20.2 -4.4 190 22 11 6.3 3.5
26000 -18.0 -0.4 180 12 6 6.9 3.8 | -18.3 -0.9 190 20 10 6.3 3.5
25000 -16.0 3.2 180 11 6 6.8 3.7 | -16.4 2.5 195 19 10 6.7 3.7
24000 -14.0 6.8 185 11 6 6.7 3.7 | -14.4 6.1 195 18 9 7.0 3.8
23000 -12.1 10.2 190 12 6 6.7 3.7 | -12.3 9.9 200 17 9 7.0 3.8
22000 -10.1 13.8 195 13 7 6.1 3.4 | -10.2 13.6 205 16 8 6.7 3.7
21000 -8.5 16.7 205 13 7 5.6 3.1 | -8.3 17.1 205 16 8 6.5 3.5
20000 -6.9 19.6 215 13 7 5.6 3.1 | -5.9 21.4 205 15 8 6.5 3.6
19500 -5.7 21.7 220 13 7 5.4 3.0 | -5.0 23.0 205 15 8 6.3 3.5
19000 -5.0 23.0 220 13 7 5.2 2.9 | -4.1 24.6 205 15 8 6.2 3.4
18500 -4.2 24.4 215 12 6 5.1 2.8 | -3.2 26.2 205 15 8 6.3 3.5
18000 -3.4 25.9 215 12 6 6.3 3.5 | -2.4 27.7 205 16 8 5.3 2.9
17500 -2.5 27.5 210 13 7 6.2 3.4 | -1.7 28.9 205 16 8 5.5 3.0
17000 -1.6 29.1 205 14 7 5.5 3.0 | -0.9 30.4 205 16 8 5.4 3.0
16500 -0.9 30.4 205 14 7 5.0 2.7 | -0.2 31.6 205 15 8 5.5 3.0
16000 -0.2 31.6 205 13 7 5.1 2.8 | 0.6 33.1 200 15 8 5.7 3.1
15500 0.7 33.3 205 13 7 7.7 4.2 | 1.5 34.7 200 14 7 7.1 3.9
15000 1.8 35.2 205 12 6 7.5 4.1 | 2.5 36.5 195 13 7 7.1 3.9
14500 2.9 37.2 200 11 6 8.3 4.6 | 3.5 38.3 195 12 6 7.2 3.9
14000 4.1 39.4 195 9 5 8.4 4.6 | 4.5 40.1 190 11 5 7.2 3.9
13500 5.3 41.5 180 7 4 8.3 4.5 | 5.5 41.9 185 9 5 6.6 3.6
13000 6.5 43.7 175 5 3 8.2 4.5 | 6.4 43.5 190 7 4 6.5 3.6
12500 7.7 45.9 160 3 2 8.2 4.5 | 7.2 45.0 190 5 3 7.2 4.0
12000 9.0 48.2 150 2 1 8.2 4.5 | 8.4 47.1 205 4 2 7.8 4.3
11500 10.2 50.4 060 1 0 7.8 4.3 | 9.5 49.1 235 3 2 8.0 4.4
11000 11.3 52.3 355 1 1 8.4 4.6 | 10.8 51.4 250 3 2 9.4 5.1
10500 12.5 54.5 335 2 1 7.2 4.0 | 12.2 54.0 260 4 2 8.6 4.7
10250 13.0 55.4 335 2 1 6.7 3.7 | 12.8 55.0 265 4 2 8.7 4.8
10000 13.5 56.3 330 3 1 8.2 4.5 | 13.6 56.5 270 4 2 10.0 5.5
9750 14.1 57.4 330 3 2 8.2 4.5 | 14.3 57.7 270 5 2 9.9 5.4
9500 14.7 58.5 330 4 2 8.2 4.5 | 15.0 59.0 275 5 3 9.9 5.4
9250 15.3 59.5 330 4 2 8.2 4.5 | 15.8 60.4 275 5 3 9.8 5.4
9000 15.9 60.6 330 4 2 7.9 4.3 | 16.5 61.7 280 6 3 9.6 5.3
8750 16.5 61.7 330 5 3 8.0 4.4 | 17.2 63.0 280 6 3 9.4 5.2
8500 17.1 62.8 330 5 3 6.8 3.8 | 17.9 64.2 280 7 4 9.7 5.3
8250 17.5 63.5 320 6 3 5.8 3.2 | 18.7 65.7 285 7 4 9.9 5.5
8000 17.9 64.2 315 7 4 5.7 3.1 | 19.4 66.9 285 8 4 9.9 5.4
7750 18.2 64.8 310 8 4 4.6 2.5 | 20.1 68.2 285 8 4 10.1 5.5
7500 18.6 65.5 305 10 5 5.6 3.1 | 20.9 69.6 285 9 4 10.3 5.6
7250 19.0 66.2 305 10 5 6.8 3.7 | 21.7 71.1 285 9 5 10.8 5.9
7000 19.5 67.1 300 11 5 5.7 3.1 | 22.5 72.5 285 9 5 9.5 5.2
6750 19.9 67.8 300 11 6 8.9 4.9 | 23.3 73.9 290 9 5 14.4 7.9
6500 20.9 69.6 295 11 6 17.7 9.7 | 24.8 76.6 290 9 5 28.0 15.4
6250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
08/14/2026 at 1500 MDT | 08/14/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +451.2 LI... -1.8 | CAPE... +201.8 LI... -1.2
CINH... -2.7 K Index... +33.8 | CINH... -1.7 K Index... +30.0
|
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 -65.3 -85.5 210 8 4 1.4 0.7 | -65.7 -86.3 185 4 2 1.3 0.7
45000 -61.0 -77.8 190 13 7 5.5 3.0 | -60.8 -77.4 185 11 6 6.1 3.4
40000 -51.4 -60.5 215 9 4 8.7 4.7 | -51.0 -59.8 220 9 5 8.2 4.5
38000 -46.2 -51.2 195 7 3 8.7 4.8 | -46.1 -51.0 190 8 4 8.2 4.5
36000 -41.0 -41.8 170 6 3 8.5 4.7 | -41.2 -42.2 165 10 5 8.5 4.6
34000 -36.0 -32.8 190 8 4 8.5 4.7 | -36.0 -32.8 170 11 6 8.6 4.7
32000 -30.9 -23.6 200 11 5 8.2 4.5 | -30.9 -23.6 175 12 6 8.3 4.6
30000 -26.7 -16.1 210 17 9 7.0 3.8 | -26.0 -14.8 205 16 8 7.3 4.0
29000 -24.1 -11.4 215 21 11 7.0 3.9 | -23.8 -10.8 210 19 10 7.3 4.0
28000 -22.0 -7.6 215 23 12 7.1 3.9 | -21.7 -7.1 215 20 10 6.9 3.8
27000 -19.9 -3.8 210 22 11 7.1 3.9 | -19.6 -3.3 215 19 10 7.0 3.8
26000 -17.8 -0.0 210 21 11 7.1 3.9 | -17.6 0.3 210 18 9 7.0 3.8
25000 -15.7 3.7 205 20 10 6.6 3.6 | -15.5 4.1 205 18 9 6.8 3.7
24000 -13.8 7.2 210 19 10 6.5 3.6 | -13.6 7.5 210 18 9 6.7 3.7
23000 -11.9 10.6 215 18 9 6.5 3.6 | -11.6 11.1 210 17 9 6.7 3.7
22000 -10.0 14.0 215 17 9 6.4 3.5 | -9.7 14.5 215 17 9 6.5 3.5
21000 -8.1 17.4 215 17 9 6.4 3.5 | -7.8 18.0 215 18 9 6.4 3.5
20000 -6.2 20.8 215 17 9 6.4 3.5 | -5.9 21.4 215 18 9 6.4 3.5
19500 -5.2 22.6 210 17 9 6.1 3.3 | -5.0 23.0 215 18 9 6.4 3.5
19000 -4.5 23.9 210 17 9 4.3 2.4 | -4.0 24.8 215 18 9 6.5 3.6
18500 -3.9 25.0 210 17 9 4.5 2.4 | -3.1 26.4 215 19 10 6.5 3.6
18000 -3.3 26.1 205 16 8 4.1 2.2 | -2.2 28.0 210 19 10 4.8 2.6
17500 -2.9 26.8 205 15 8 4.2 2.3 | -1.4 29.5 210 19 10 3.9 2.1
17000 -2.4 27.7 200 14 7 5.0 2.7 | -0.9 30.4 205 18 10 4.9 2.7
16500 -1.4 29.5 200 13 7 8.7 4.8 | -0.2 31.6 205 17 9 5.5 3.0
16000 0.3 32.5 200 12 6 8.6 4.7 | 0.5 32.9 205 16 8 6.1 3.4
15500 1.6 34.9 200 11 6 8.7 4.8 | 1.6 34.9 210 15 8 8.5 4.7
15000 2.8 37.0 205 11 5 8.7 4.8 | 2.8 37.0 215 14 7 8.4 4.6
14500 4.1 39.4 205 10 5 8.9 4.9 | 4.0 39.2 225 13 7 9.2 5.0
14000 5.3 41.5 210 9 4 8.9 4.9 | 5.3 41.5 230 12 6 9.1 5.0
13500 6.6 43.9 220 8 4 8.6 4.7 | 6.6 43.9 235 12 6 9.2 5.1
13000 7.9 46.2 225 8 4 8.5 4.7 | 8.0 46.4 240 11 6 9.3 5.1
12500 9.1 48.4 230 8 4 9.0 4.9 | 9.4 48.9 245 11 6 9.4 5.2
12000 10.5 50.9 230 8 4 9.3 5.1 | 10.8 51.4 250 11 6 9.5 5.2
11500 11.8 53.2 235 8 4 8.7 4.8 | 12.2 54.0 250 11 6 9.9 5.4
11000 13.2 55.8 235 8 4 9.8 5.4 | 13.6 56.5 255 12 6 9.4 5.1
10500 14.7 58.5 235 8 4 8.5 4.7 | 15.1 59.2 255 12 6 9.5 5.2
10250 15.3 59.5 235 8 4 8.8 4.8 | 15.8 60.4 255 12 6 9.8 5.4
10000 16.1 61.0 235 8 4 10.8 5.9 | 16.5 61.7 255 12 6 10.1 5.5
9750 16.8 62.2 235 9 4 10.4 5.7 | 17.2 63.0 255 12 6 10.0 5.5
9500 17.6 63.7 240 9 5 9.9 5.4 | 18.0 64.4 260 12 6 10.0 5.5
9250 18.3 64.9 240 9 5 9.3 5.1 | 18.7 65.7 260 12 6 9.9 5.4
9000 19.0 66.2 240 9 5 9.9 5.4 | 19.5 67.1 260 12 6 9.4 5.2
8750 19.8 67.6 240 9 5 10.1 5.6 | 20.1 68.2 260 13 6 9.0 4.9
8500 20.5 68.9 240 10 5 9.7 5.3 | 20.8 69.4 260 13 7 9.7 5.3
8250 21.2 70.2 240 10 5 9.1 5.0 | 21.6 70.9 260 13 7 10.5 5.8
8000 21.9 71.4 240 10 5 9.8 5.4 | 22.3 72.1 265 13 7 10.0 5.5
7750 22.7 72.9 240 10 5 10.8 5.9 | 23.1 73.6 265 13 7 9.3 5.1
7500 23.5 74.3 240 10 5 10.1 5.6 | 23.8 74.8 265 13 7 9.9 5.4
7250 24.2 75.6 240 10 5 9.8 5.4 | 24.5 76.1 265 13 7 10.7 5.9
7000 24.9 76.8 235 10 5 9.4 5.1 | 25.3 77.5 265 13 7 10.1 5.5
6750 25.7 78.3 235 10 5 12.8 7.0 | 26.1 79.0 265 13 7 10.6 5.8
6500 26.9 80.4 235 10 5 21.2 11.6 | 27.0 80.6 265 13 7 14.8 8.1
6250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
________________________________________________________________________________
This product is issued once per day, at approximately 730 AM local
time. It is not continuously monitored nor updated after its initial
issuance.
The information contained herein is based on numerical weather prediction
model data for the Moriarty Municipal Airport site in Moriarty, New Mexico at
North Latitude: 34.9781667 deg
West Longitude: 106.0000278 deg
Elevation: 6204.2 feet (1891.0 meters)
and may not be representative of other areas along and east of the Sandia
and Manzano Mountains. Note that some elevations in numerical weather
prediction models differ from actual station elevations, which can lead to
data which appear to be below ground. Erroneous data such as these should
not be used.
The content and format of this report as well as the issuance times are subject
to change without prior notice. Comments are welcome and should be directed
to one of the addresses or phone numbers shown at the bottom of this page.
DEFINITIONS:
CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) - An integrated measure of the
energy available for convective development, also known as the positive
area on a thermodynamic diagram. Units are Joules per kilogram. Larger
values are indicative of greater instability and the possibility of
stronger convective activity, including thunderstorms. Values around or
greater than 1000 suggest the possibility of severe weather should
convective activity develop.
CINH (Convective Inhibition) - An integrated measure of the amount of energy
needed to initiate convective activity, also known as the negative area on
a thermodynamic diagram. Units are Joules per kilogram. The more negative
this number, the more energy is required to initiate convection. This
inhibitive energy can be overcome through surface heating, cooling aloft,
lifting mechanisms (orographic, frontal, gravity waves, etc.)
Convective Condensation Level - The height to which an air parcel possessing the
average saturation mixing ratio in the lowest 4000 feet of the airmass,
if heated sufficiently from below, will rise dry adiabatically until it
just becomes saturated. It estimates the base of cumulus clouds that are
produced by surface heating only.
Convection Temperature (ConvectionT) - The surface temperature required to make
the airmass dry adiabatic up to the given level. It can be considered a
"trigger temperature" for that level.
Freezing Level - The height where the temperature is zero degrees Celsius.
Height of Stable Layer - The height (between 12,000 and 18,000 feet above
mean sea level) where the smallest lapse rate exists. The location and
existence of this feature is important in the generation of mountain
waves.
K Index - A measure of stability which combines the temperature difference
between approximately 5,000 and 18,000 feet above the surface, the amount
of moisture at approximately 5,000 feet above the surface, and a measure
of the dryness at approximately 10,000 feet above the surface. Larger
positive numbers indicate more instability and a greater likelihood of
thunderstorm development. One interpretation of K index values regarding
soaring in the western United States is given in WMO Technical Note 158
and is reproduced in the following table:
below -10 no or weak thermals
-10 to 5 dry thermals or 1/8 cumulus with moderate thermals
5 to 15 good soaring conditions
15 to 20 good soaring conditions with occasional showers
20 to 30 excellent soaring conditions, but increasing
probability of showers and thunderstorms
above 30 more than 60 percent probability of thunderstorms
Lapse Rate - The change with height of the temperature. Negative values indicate
inversions.
Lifted Condensation Level - The height to which an air parcel possessing the
average dew point in the lowest 4000 feet of the airmass and the forecast
maximum temperature must be lifted dry adiabatically to attain saturation.
Lifted Index (LI) - The difference between the environmental temperature at a
level approximately 18,000 feet above the surface and the temperature of
an air parcel lifted dry adiabatically from the surface to its lifted
condensation level and then pseudoadiabatically thereafter to this same
level. The parcel's initial temperature is the forecast maximum
temperature and its dew point is the average dew point in the lowest 4000
feet of the airmass. Negative values are indicative of instability with
positive values showing stable conditions.
Lift Rate - An experimental estimate of the strength of thermals. It is
computed the same way as the maximum rate of lift but uses the actual
level rather than the maximum height of thermals in the calculation.
Also, none of the empirical adjustments based on cloudiness and K-index
are applied to these calculations.
Maximum Height of Thermals - The height where the dry adiabat through the
forecast maximum temperature intersects the environmental temperature.
Maximum Rate of Lift - An estimate of the maximum strength of thermals. It
is computed from an empirical formula which combines the expected maximum
height of thermals with the difference in the environmental temperatures
between the maximum height of thermals and the temperature 4,000 feet
above the ground. After this computation, further empirical adjustments
are made based on the value of the K-index and the amount and opacity of
middle and high level cloudiness expected between the time of trigger
temperature and the time of overdevelopment.
Middle/High Clouds - The amount and opacity of middle (altostratus, altocumulus)
or high (cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus) clouds. Broken means that
between 60% and 90% of the sky is covered by the cloud, with overcast
conditions occurring when more than 90% of the sky is covered by the cloud.
Thin implies that the clouds are predominantly transparent, meaning that
some sunlight is reaching the ground, in contrast to opaque which suggests
that little sunlight is reaching the ground.
Potential Height of Wave - The minimum of the following two heights:
1. Level above the height of stable layer (or 14,000 feet if none exists)
where the wind direction changes by 30 degrees or more
2. Level above the height of stable layer (or 14,000 feet if none exists)
where the wind speed no longer increases with height
PVA/NVA - Positive vorticity advection (PVA)/negative vorticity advection (NVA)
on the 500 millibar isobaric surface (approximately 18,000 feet above mean
sea level). Weak PVA has been shown to assist in mountain wave soaring.
Soaring Window - The time between the time the trigger temperature is reached
and the time of overdevelopment.
Thermal Index - The difference between the environmental temperature and the
temperature at a particular level determined by following the dry adiabat
through the forecast maximum temperature up to that level. Negative values
are indicative of thermal lift.
Thermal Soaring Index - An adjective rating (for sailplanes) based on the
computed maximum rate of lift, and the wind speed and middle and high
cloud cover expected during the soaring window (the time of the trigger
temperature and the time of overdevelopment) according to the following:
Maximum rate of lift Adjective Rating
>= 800 fpm Excellent
>= 400 and < 800 fpm Good
>= 200 and < 400 fpm Fair
< 200 fpm Poor
Time of Overdevelopment - The time one or more of the following phenomena,
which essentially shut off thermal lift, is expected to occur:
1. formation of broken to overcast convective cloud cover
2. formation of scattered to numerous downbursts
3. initiation of widespread precipitation
Time of Trigger Temperature - The time the surface temperature is expected to
reach the trigger temperature.
Trigger Temperature - The surface temperature required to make the first 4000
feet of the atmosphere dry adiabatic.
Wave Soaring Index - An empirical, adjective rating (for sailplanes) which
attempts to combine a variety of phenomena important in mountain wave
soaring into a single index number. Objective points are assigned to
these phenomena: wind speed and direction at 14,000 ft MSL, the static
stability in the 12,000-18,000 ft MSL layer, the wind speed gradient above
the stable layer, jet stream location and frontal and upper trough
movements.
042613
Soaring Forecast for Albuquerque NM
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
0729 MDT Friday August 14 2026
This forecast is for Friday, August 14, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 77.5 F/25.3 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 1146 ft/min (5.8 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 16555 ft MSL (10879 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 88.0 F/31.6 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1015 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................. 13634 ft MSL (7958 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Saturday 08/15..... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:26:04 / 19:56:12 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 13 hr 30 min 8 sec (810 min 8 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:11:08 MDT... 68.98 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 08/14/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 15680 ft MSL (10004 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 13008 ft MSL (7332 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 14505 ft MSL (8829 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... -2.5
K index......................... +30.8
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 -65.2 -85.4 210 12 6 1.5 0.8 79.3 174.7 28.4 M M
45000 -60.7 -77.3 195 15 8 5.5 3.0 63.5 146.3 20.4 M M
40000 -51.7 -61.1 200 18 9 8.6 4.7 55.3 131.5 16.3 M M
38000 -46.6 -51.9 195 18 9 8.6 4.7 54.1 129.4 15.9 M M
36000 -40.8 -41.4 190 18 9 8.5 4.6 53.3 128.0 15.8 M M
34000 -35.8 -32.4 195 16 8 8.5 4.6 52.0 125.6 15.2 M M
32000 -30.7 -23.3 200 14 7 8.1 4.5 51.2 124.2 15.0 M M
30000 -26.3 -15.3 205 11 6 7.5 4.1 49.3 120.7 13.8 M M
29000 -24.1 -11.4 210 10 5 7.6 4.2 48.5 119.3 13.3 M M
28000 -21.9 -7.4 210 10 5 7.0 3.8 47.7 117.9 12.8 M M
27000 -19.8 -3.6 210 11 6 7.0 3.8 46.5 115.8 12.0 M M
26000 -17.8 -0.0 210 12 6 7.0 3.9 45.5 114.0 11.3 M M
25000 -15.7 3.7 210 13 7 6.9 3.8 44.7 112.4 10.6 M M
24000 -13.8 7.2 205 14 7 6.4 3.5 43.3 110.0 9.6 M M
23000 -11.5 11.3 205 14 7 6.4 3.5 41.8 107.2 8.4 M M
22000 -9.7 14.5 205 15 8 5.7 3.1 40.6 105.1 7.5 M M
21000 -8.0 17.6 205 16 8 5.6 3.1 39.1 102.3 6.2 M M
20000 -6.4 20.5 205 17 9 5.6 3.1 37.7 99.8 5.0 M M
19500 -5.6 21.9 205 17 9 5.1 2.8 37.0 98.6 4.4 M M
19000 -5.0 23.0 205 17 9 3.6 2.0 36.0 96.8 3.6 M M
18500 -4.5 23.9 200 18 9 3.6 2.0 35.0 94.9 2.6 M M
18000 -4.0 24.8 195 17 9 5.5 3.0 34.0 93.2 1.8 M M
17500 -3.1 26.4 190 16 8 5.9 3.2 33.4 92.0 1.1 M M
17000 -2.3 27.9 185 14 7 6.0 3.3 32.7 90.9 0.5 M M
16500 -1.4 29.5 180 12 6 6.1 3.3 32.1 89.8 -0.1 940 4.8
16000 -0.6 30.9 170 9 5 6.1 3.3 31.5 88.7 -0.7 899 4.6
15500 0.3 32.5 150 6 3 6.6 3.6 30.9 87.6 -1.2 858 4.4
15000 1.3 34.3 125 5 2 6.6 3.6 30.4 86.7 -1.8 815 4.1
14500 2.2 36.0 090 4 2 7.2 3.9 29.9 85.8 -2.3 772 3.9
14000 3.3 37.9 055 5 2 7.5 4.1 29.5 85.1 -2.7 725 3.7
13500 4.3 39.7 030 7 3 7.7 4.2 29.1 84.5 -3.1 678 3.4
13000 5.5 41.9 025 8 4 8.2 4.5 28.9 84.0 -3.4 628 3.2
12500 6.7 44.1 020 8 4 8.2 4.5 28.6 83.5 -3.6 577 2.9
12000 8.0 46.4 015 8 4 8.6 4.7 28.4 83.1 -3.9 525 2.7
11500 9.2 48.6 010 8 4 8.5 4.7 28.2 82.8 -4.1 473 2.4
11000 10.4 50.7 005 8 4 7.6 4.2 28.0 82.3 -4.4 423 2.1
10500 11.5 52.7 355 8 4 7.6 4.2 27.6 81.8 -4.7 375 1.9
10250 12.0 53.6 350 8 4 7.1 3.9 27.5 81.4 -4.9 351 1.8
10000 12.5 54.5 345 8 4 6.8 3.7 27.2 81.0 -5.2 329 1.7
9750 13.0 55.4 340 8 4 7.0 3.9 27.0 80.6 -5.4 306 1.6
9500 13.5 56.3 335 8 4 6.5 3.6 26.8 80.2 -5.7 284 1.4
9250 14.0 57.2 330 7 4 6.7 3.7 26.5 79.8 -6.0 263 1.3
9000 14.5 58.1 320 8 4 7.3 4.0 26.3 79.4 -6.2 240 1.2
8750 15.0 59.0 310 8 4 7.4 4.1 26.1 79.0 -6.4 217 1.1
8500 16.0 60.8 300 10 5 6.0 3.3 25.7 78.2 -6.9 174 0.9
8250 16.4 61.5 290 10 5 6.8 3.7 25.4 77.7 -7.2 153 0.8
8000 16.9 62.4 285 10 5 7.1 3.9 25.2 77.3 -7.5 131 0.7
7750 17.4 63.3 280 11 6 6.1 3.3 25.0 77.0 -7.7 109 0.6
7500 17.8 64.0 275 12 6 4.9 2.7 24.6 76.3 -8.1 90 0.5
7250 18.2 64.8 270 13 7 5.5 3.0 24.3 75.7 -8.5 72 0.4
7000 18.6 65.5 270 13 7 6.0 3.3 24.0 75.2 -8.8 52 0.3
6750 18.9 66.0 265 14 7 4.5 2.5 23.7 74.6 -9.2 33 0.2
6500 19.2 66.6 260 15 8 3.2 1.8 23.2 73.8 -9.7 19 0.1
6250 19.4 66.9 255 16 8 4.6 2.5 22.8 73.0 -10.2 4 0.0
6000 19.8 67.6 255 15 8 6.6 3.6 22.4 72.4 -10.6 M M
5750 20.3 68.5 250 11 6 7.2 4.0 22.2 72.0 -10.8 M M
5500 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
08/14/2026 at 0900 MDT | 08/14/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... +33.1 LI... -0.8 | CAPE... +79.8 LI... -0.7
CINH... -102.4 K Index... +31.1 | CINH... -22.8 K Index... +29.4
|
Height Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate | Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft | deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -65.0 -85.0 210 8 4 1.0 0.6 | -65.3 -85.5 205 8 4 0.8 0.4
45000 -60.9 -77.6 190 15 8 5.7 3.1 | -61.2 -78.2 185 15 7 6.0 3.3
40000 -51.6 -60.9 205 19 10 8.7 4.8 | -51.0 -59.8 215 14 7 8.6 4.7
38000 -45.7 -50.3 205 18 9 8.7 4.8 | -45.9 -50.6 215 15 8 8.6 4.7
36000 -40.5 -40.9 210 18 9 8.1 4.4 | -40.8 -41.4 215 16 8 8.2 4.5
34000 -35.7 -32.3 205 17 9 8.1 4.4 | -35.9 -32.6 210 17 8 8.2 4.5
32000 -30.9 -23.6 200 16 8 7.8 4.3 | -30.9 -23.6 200 17 9 7.9 4.3
30000 -26.5 -15.7 185 15 8 7.4 4.1 | -26.6 -15.9 190 19 10 7.3 4.0
29000 -24.3 -11.7 180 14 7 7.4 4.1 | -24.4 -11.9 190 21 11 7.4 4.1
28000 -22.2 -8.0 175 14 7 6.5 3.6 | -22.3 -8.1 185 21 11 6.9 3.8
27000 -20.3 -4.5 180 14 7 6.6 3.6 | -20.2 -4.4 190 21 11 7.0 3.8
26000 -18.3 -0.9 180 14 7 6.6 3.6 | -18.2 -0.8 190 20 10 7.0 3.8
25000 -16.4 2.5 185 13 7 6.7 3.7 | -16.1 3.0 195 20 10 6.8 3.7
24000 -14.0 6.8 190 14 7 6.7 3.7 | -13.8 7.2 200 20 10 6.3 3.5
23000 -12.0 10.4 195 15 7 6.7 3.7 | -11.9 10.6 200 19 10 6.3 3.5
22000 -10.1 13.8 200 15 8 5.7 3.1 | -10.0 14.0 205 19 10 6.3 3.4
21000 -8.4 16.9 200 15 8 5.7 3.1 | -8.2 17.2 200 19 10 6.3 3.4
20000 -6.8 19.8 200 16 8 5.7 3.1 | -6.3 20.7 200 18 9 6.3 3.4
19500 -6.0 21.2 200 16 8 6.0 3.3 | -5.4 22.3 195 18 9 6.0 3.3
19000 -5.1 22.8 200 15 8 6.4 3.5 | -4.6 23.7 195 17 9 5.7 3.1
18500 -4.1 24.6 200 15 8 6.6 3.6 | -3.8 25.2 195 17 9 5.7 3.1
18000 -3.3 26.1 195 15 8 4.9 2.7 | -3.0 26.6 200 16 8 5.8 3.2
17500 -2.6 27.3 195 14 7 4.8 2.6 | -2.2 28.0 200 16 8 5.8 3.2
17000 -2.0 28.4 195 14 7 4.8 2.6 | -1.3 29.7 200 15 8 5.7 3.1
16500 -1.3 29.7 195 13 7 4.8 2.7 | -0.6 30.9 200 14 7 5.3 2.9
16000 -0.6 30.9 200 12 6 4.6 2.5 | 0.1 32.2 205 13 7 5.2 2.9
15500 0.2 32.4 195 11 6 7.5 4.1 | 0.9 33.6 205 11 6 6.4 3.5
15000 1.3 34.3 190 9 5 7.3 4.0 | 1.8 35.2 200 9 5 6.3 3.4
14500 2.3 36.1 180 8 4 7.9 4.3 | 2.7 36.9 190 8 4 7.5 4.1
14000 3.5 38.3 170 6 3 8.1 4.4 | 3.8 38.8 185 7 4 7.8 4.3
13500 4.7 40.5 155 5 3 8.1 4.4 | 4.9 40.8 170 6 3 7.5 4.1
13000 5.9 42.6 140 4 2 8.0 4.4 | 5.9 42.6 165 6 3 7.2 4.0
12500 7.1 44.8 115 4 2 7.6 4.2 | 7.0 44.6 160 5 3 7.0 3.9
12000 8.1 46.6 075 4 2 6.5 3.6 | 8.0 46.4 150 3 1 6.7 3.7
11500 9.0 48.2 040 5 2 6.6 3.6 | 9.0 48.2 095 1 0 6.5 3.6
11000 10.1 50.2 020 6 3 7.2 4.0 | 9.8 49.6 345 1 1 5.8 3.2
10500 11.1 52.0 005 7 3 7.1 3.9 | 10.7 51.3 325 3 2 7.6 4.1
10250 11.6 52.9 355 7 4 7.2 3.9 | 11.3 52.3 325 4 2 8.2 4.5
10000 12.1 53.8 350 8 4 7.3 4.0 | 11.8 53.2 320 4 2 7.5 4.1
9750 12.7 54.9 345 8 4 7.2 4.0 | 12.4 54.3 315 5 3 7.7 4.2
9500 13.2 55.8 345 8 4 7.5 4.1 | 12.9 55.2 310 5 3 7.8 4.3
9250 13.8 56.8 340 9 5 7.0 3.8 | 13.5 56.3 305 5 3 8.7 4.8
9000 14.7 58.5 330 9 5 6.7 3.7 | 14.2 57.6 305 6 3 9.2 5.1
8750 15.1 59.2 330 9 5 5.8 3.2 | 15.6 60.1 300 6 3 8.4 4.6
8500 15.5 59.9 325 9 5 5.1 2.8 | 16.2 61.2 300 6 3 8.9 4.9
8250 15.9 60.6 320 9 5 5.7 3.1 | 16.9 62.4 295 7 3 10.4 5.7
8000 16.3 61.3 315 10 5 5.7 3.1 | 17.7 63.9 295 7 4 10.4 5.7
7750 16.7 62.1 310 10 5 5.9 3.3 | 18.4 65.1 295 7 4 9.8 5.4
7500 17.1 62.8 305 10 5 6.3 3.5 | 19.1 66.4 290 7 4 9.5 5.2
7250 17.6 63.7 300 10 5 6.7 3.7 | 19.9 67.8 290 7 4 10.8 5.9
7000 18.1 64.6 300 9 5 6.9 3.8 | 20.7 69.3 290 7 4 11.1 6.1
6750 18.6 65.5 295 9 5 7.1 3.9 | 21.5 70.7 290 8 4 10.3 5.7
6500 19.1 66.4 295 9 5 7.3 4.0 | 22.3 72.1 285 8 4 10.5 5.8
6250 19.6 67.3 290 9 5 7.3 4.0 | 23.0 73.4 285 8 4 8.9 4.9
6000 20.2 68.4 290 9 4 10.7 5.9 | 23.8 74.8 285 8 4 13.9 7.6
5750 21.6 70.9 280 7 4 29.1 15.9 | 26.2 79.2 280 8 4 65.3 35.8
5500 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
08/14/2026 at 1500 MDT | 08/14/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +309.4 LI... -1.9 | CAPE... +117.9 LI... -1.0
CINH... 0.0 K Index... +30.4 | CINH... -4.1 K Index... +31.2
|
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 -66.1 -87.0 195 7 4 1.0 0.6 | -65.3 -85.5 200 7 3 1.5 0.8
45000 -61.7 -79.1 180 15 8 6.3 3.5 | -60.8 -77.4 190 14 7 5.5 3.0
40000 -51.1 -60.0 210 12 6 8.5 4.7 | -51.1 -60.0 205 13 7 8.5 4.7
38000 -45.9 -50.6 210 12 6 8.5 4.7 | -46.0 -50.8 190 13 7 8.5 4.7
36000 -40.8 -41.4 210 11 6 8.0 4.4 | -40.9 -41.6 175 13 7 8.4 4.6
34000 -36.1 -33.0 210 16 8 7.9 4.3 | -35.9 -32.6 190 16 8 8.4 4.6
32000 -31.4 -24.5 215 20 10 7.9 4.3 | -30.8 -23.4 200 19 10 8.1 4.5
30000 -26.7 -16.1 205 21 11 7.8 4.3 | -26.3 -15.3 200 20 10 7.6 4.2
29000 -24.4 -11.9 200 22 11 7.9 4.3 | -24.0 -11.2 200 20 11 7.6 4.2
28000 -22.1 -7.8 200 23 12 7.2 4.0 | -21.8 -7.2 200 21 11 7.2 3.9
27000 -19.9 -3.8 205 23 12 7.3 4.0 | -19.6 -3.3 205 20 11 7.2 4.0
26000 -17.7 0.1 210 23 12 7.3 4.0 | -17.5 0.5 205 20 10 7.2 4.0
25000 -15.1 4.8 215 23 12 6.1 3.4 | -14.9 5.2 210 20 10 6.1 3.3
24000 -13.3 8.1 215 23 12 6.1 3.4 | -13.1 8.4 215 19 10 6.0 3.3
23000 -11.5 11.3 215 23 12 6.2 3.4 | -11.3 11.7 220 19 10 6.0 3.3
22000 -9.8 14.4 215 22 12 5.7 3.1 | -9.6 14.7 225 18 9 6.2 3.4
21000 -8.1 17.4 210 21 11 5.7 3.1 | -7.7 18.1 220 18 9 6.3 3.4
20000 -6.5 20.3 210 19 10 5.8 3.2 | -5.9 21.4 220 17 9 6.3 3.5
19500 -5.6 21.9 210 19 10 5.8 3.2 | -5.0 23.0 220 17 9 6.3 3.4
19000 -4.8 23.4 205 18 9 5.8 3.2 | -4.1 24.6 220 17 9 6.3 3.4
18500 -4.0 24.8 205 18 9 5.9 3.2 | -3.2 26.2 220 16 8 6.4 3.5
18000 -3.2 26.2 205 18 9 5.6 3.1 | -2.3 27.9 220 16 8 5.5 3.0
17500 -2.4 27.7 200 17 9 5.6 3.1 | -1.6 29.1 215 15 8 5.4 3.0
17000 -1.6 29.1 200 17 9 6.0 3.3 | -0.8 30.6 215 14 7 5.0 2.8
16500 -0.6 30.9 200 16 8 6.6 3.6 | -0.3 31.5 215 13 7 4.2 2.3
16000 0.3 32.5 200 15 8 6.7 3.7 | 0.3 32.5 210 13 7 3.9 2.1
15500 1.1 34.0 205 14 7 4.6 2.5 | 1.1 34.0 205 12 6 7.8 4.3
15000 1.7 35.1 205 13 6 4.7 2.6 | 2.1 35.8 205 12 6 7.4 4.1
14500 2.4 36.3 205 11 6 7.3 4.0 | 3.2 37.8 205 11 6 7.9 4.3
14000 3.5 38.3 210 10 5 7.8 4.3 | 4.3 39.7 210 10 5 8.1 4.4
13500 4.6 40.3 210 9 4 8.5 4.7 | 5.5 41.9 220 10 5 8.3 4.6
13000 5.9 42.6 215 8 4 9.0 4.9 | 6.7 44.1 230 9 5 8.6 4.7
12500 7.3 45.1 220 7 4 9.2 5.0 | 8.0 46.4 235 9 5 8.7 4.8
12000 8.6 47.5 225 7 4 9.4 5.2 | 9.3 48.7 245 9 5 8.9 4.9
11500 10.0 50.0 225 7 3 9.3 5.1 | 10.6 51.1 250 9 5 9.0 4.9
11000 11.4 52.5 230 6 3 8.9 4.9 | 12.0 53.6 255 9 5 9.3 5.1
10500 12.8 55.0 230 6 3 9.8 5.4 | 13.4 56.1 255 9 5 9.9 5.5
10250 13.5 56.3 235 6 3 9.5 5.2 | 14.1 57.4 260 10 5 9.6 5.3
10000 14.2 57.6 240 6 3 9.2 5.0 | 14.8 58.6 260 10 5 9.4 5.2
9750 14.9 58.8 240 6 3 9.0 5.0 | 15.5 59.9 260 10 5 9.3 5.1
9500 15.6 60.1 240 6 3 9.9 5.4 | 16.2 61.2 265 10 5 9.9 5.4
9250 16.3 61.3 245 7 3 10.3 5.7 | 17.0 62.6 265 10 5 10.0 5.5
9000 17.1 62.8 250 7 4 9.6 5.3 | 17.7 63.9 265 10 5 9.3 5.1
8750 17.8 64.0 255 7 4 10.4 5.7 | 19.1 66.4 270 11 5 8.0 4.4
8500 18.5 65.3 255 7 4 8.0 4.4 | 19.7 67.5 270 11 5 8.5 4.7
8250 19.1 66.4 255 7 4 8.6 4.7 | 20.4 68.7 270 11 6 10.7 5.9
8000 20.7 69.3 265 8 4 10.9 6.0 | 21.2 70.2 275 11 6 10.4 5.7
7750 21.5 70.7 265 8 4 9.9 5.4 | 22.0 71.6 275 11 6 9.5 5.2
7500 22.1 71.8 265 8 4 9.2 5.1 | 22.6 72.7 275 11 6 8.9 4.9
7250 22.9 73.2 270 8 4 10.8 5.9 | 23.4 74.1 275 11 6 10.3 5.7
7000 23.7 74.7 270 8 4 11.2 6.1 | 24.2 75.6 275 11 6 10.8 5.9
6750 24.5 76.1 270 9 4 10.4 5.7 | 25.0 77.0 280 11 6 10.3 5.6
6500 25.3 77.5 275 9 4 10.5 5.8 | 25.7 78.3 280 12 6 10.3 5.6
6250 26.1 79.0 275 9 5 9.5 5.2 | 26.5 79.7 280 12 6 9.4 5.2
6000 26.9 80.4 275 9 4 15.9 8.7 | 27.2 81.0 280 11 6 12.2 6.7
5750 29.6 85.3 275 9 4 68.5 37.6 | 28.9 84.0 280 10 5 41.8 23.0
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
0730 MDT Friday August 14 2026
This forecast is for Friday, August 14, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 75.7 F/24.3 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 1151 ft/min (5.8 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 17015 ft MSL (10568 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 85.0 F/29.9 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1000 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................. 13632 ft MSL (7186 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Saturday 08/15..... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:23:02 / 19:55:01 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 13 hr 31 min 58 sec (811 min 58 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:09:01 MDT... 68.47 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 08/14/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 15963 ft MSL (9516 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 14427 ft MSL (7980 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 15439 ft MSL (8992 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... -1.4
K index......................... +28.1
Height Temperature Wind Wind Spd Lapse Rate ConvectionT Thermal Lift Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft deg C deg F Index fpm m/s
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -65.3 -85.5 215 12 6 1.3 0.7 76.3 169.3 27.9 M M
45000 -60.9 -77.6 190 13 7 5.8 3.2 60.5 140.9 19.8 M M
40000 -51.6 -60.9 205 15 8 8.4 4.6 52.9 127.2 16.0 M M
38000 -46.5 -51.7 205 16 8 8.4 4.6 51.6 124.8 15.4 M M
36000 -40.9 -41.6 205 16 8 8.4 4.6 50.7 123.2 15.2 M M
34000 -35.9 -32.6 200 16 8 8.4 4.6 49.3 120.7 14.6 M M
32000 -30.9 -23.6 195 16 8 8.2 4.5 48.5 119.3 14.3 M M
30000 -26.3 -15.3 200 13 7 7.6 4.2 46.6 115.9 13.2 M M
29000 -24.1 -11.4 200 11 6 7.7 4.2 45.9 114.6 12.7 M M
28000 -21.9 -7.4 205 10 5 7.0 3.8 45.1 113.3 12.2 M M
27000 -19.8 -3.6 215 11 6 7.0 3.9 44.0 111.2 11.4 M M
26000 -17.7 0.1 220 12 6 7.0 3.9 43.0 109.4 10.7 M M
25000 -15.7 3.7 225 13 7 6.9 3.8 42.1 107.8 10.1 M M
24000 -13.4 7.9 230 13 7 6.1 3.4 40.4 104.7 8.7 M M
23000 -11.7 10.9 230 12 6 6.1 3.4 39.1 102.4 7.7 M M
22000 -9.9 14.2 230 12 6 5.7 3.1 37.9 100.2 6.7 M M
21000 -8.3 17.1 225 12 6 5.6 3.1 36.4 97.5 5.4 M M
20000 -6.6 20.1 225 12 6 5.6 3.1 35.0 94.9 4.2 M M
19500 -5.8 21.6 225 12 6 5.6 3.0 34.3 93.8 3.6 M M
19000 -5.0 23.0 225 12 6 5.1 2.8 33.5 92.4 2.9 M M
18500 -4.3 24.3 225 12 6 5.2 2.8 32.8 91.0 2.3 M M
18000 -3.6 25.5 225 12 6 4.9 2.7 32.0 89.6 1.6 M M
17500 -2.9 26.8 220 11 6 4.9 2.7 31.1 88.1 0.8 M M
17000 -2.2 28.0 220 10 5 5.3 2.9 30.3 86.6 -0.0 950 4.8
16500 -1.2 29.8 215 9 4 7.8 4.3 29.9 85.7 -0.5 906 4.6
16000 -0.1 31.8 220 7 4 7.7 4.2 29.5 85.1 -0.9 858 4.4
15500 0.9 33.6 225 6 3 7.2 3.9 29.1 84.5 -1.2 811 4.1
15000 2.0 35.6 245 5 2 7.1 3.9 28.7 83.7 -1.7 766 3.9
14500 3.0 37.4 270 4 2 7.0 3.8 28.3 82.9 -2.1 721 3.7
14000 4.0 39.2 300 5 2 6.9 3.8 27.8 82.1 -2.6 676 3.4
13500 5.0 41.0 315 6 3 7.1 3.9 27.3 81.2 -3.1 631 3.2
13000 6.1 43.0 320 7 3 7.8 4.3 27.0 80.6 -3.4 583 3.0
12500 7.2 45.0 320 8 4 7.9 4.3 26.7 80.1 -3.7 534 2.7
12000 8.4 47.1 315 7 4 8.6 4.7 26.5 79.7 -4.0 483 2.5
11500 9.6 49.3 305 7 3 8.6 4.7 26.3 79.3 -4.3 433 2.2
11000 10.8 51.4 305 7 3 8.3 4.6 26.1 79.0 -4.6 382 1.9
10500 12.0 53.6 300 6 3 8.0 4.4 25.9 78.6 -4.8 331 1.7
10250 13.2 55.8 295 6 3 8.9 4.9 25.6 78.2 -5.1 280 1.4
10000 13.9 57.0 295 6 3 8.9 4.9 25.6 78.0 -5.2 253 1.3
9750 14.6 58.3 300 5 3 8.9 4.9 25.5 77.9 -5.3 226 1.1
9500 15.2 59.4 300 5 3 8.0 4.4 25.4 77.8 -5.4 199 1.0
9250 15.7 60.3 300 5 3 7.7 4.2 25.3 77.5 -5.5 175 0.9
9000 16.3 61.3 305 5 3 8.2 4.5 25.1 77.2 -5.7 150 0.8
8750 16.9 62.4 315 5 3 8.0 4.4 25.0 77.0 -5.8 125 0.6
8500 17.5 63.5 320 5 3 8.0 4.4 24.9 76.8 -6.0 100 0.5
8250 18.1 64.6 320 5 3 7.5 4.1 24.7 76.5 -6.1 75 0.4
8000 18.6 65.5 320 5 3 6.8 3.7 24.5 76.2 -6.4 52 0.3
7750 19.1 66.4 325 5 2 6.6 3.6 24.3 75.7 -6.6 30 0.2
7500 19.6 67.3 325 4 2 6.8 3.7 24.1 75.3 -6.9 8 0.0
7250 20.1 68.2 330 4 2 6.4 3.5 23.8 74.9 -7.1 M M
7000 20.6 69.1 330 4 2 6.4 3.5 23.6 74.5 -7.4 M M
6750 20.8 69.4 325 3 1 -1.2 -0.6 23.2 73.7 -7.9 M M
6500 19.4 66.9 340 2 1 -47.0 -25.8 21.0 69.8 -10.0 M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
08/14/2026 at 0900 MDT | 08/14/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... +80.8 LI... -1.3 | CAPE... +155.6 LI... -1.4
CINH... -60.8 K Index... +27.9 | CINH... -10.4 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 -65.3 -85.5 205 11 6 1.1 0.6 | -65.2 -85.4 195 11 5 1.0 0.5
45000 -61.1 -78.0 195 15 8 5.9 3.2 | -61.2 -78.2 190 16 8 5.8 3.2
40000 -51.6 -60.9 190 16 8 8.7 4.8 | -51.1 -60.0 215 16 8 8.8 4.8
38000 -45.7 -50.3 190 16 8 8.7 4.8 | -45.9 -50.6 210 15 8 8.8 4.8
36000 -40.5 -40.9 190 16 8 8.1 4.5 | -40.7 -41.3 205 15 7 8.1 4.4
34000 -35.7 -32.3 200 15 8 8.1 4.4 | -35.9 -32.6 200 14 7 8.0 4.4
32000 -30.9 -23.6 210 14 7 7.8 4.3 | -31.1 -24.0 195 15 8 7.9 4.3
30000 -26.6 -15.9 195 14 7 7.2 3.9 | -26.5 -15.7 185 19 10 7.7 4.2
29000 -24.5 -12.1 190 13 7 7.2 4.0 | -24.3 -11.7 185 21 11 7.7 4.2
28000 -22.4 -8.3 185 14 7 6.8 3.8 | -22.1 -7.8 185 22 11 6.1 3.4
27000 -20.4 -4.7 185 14 7 6.9 3.8 | -20.2 -4.4 185 21 11 6.3 3.5
26000 -18.3 -0.9 185 14 7 6.9 3.8 | -18.4 -1.1 190 21 11 6.3 3.5
25000 -15.9 3.4 185 15 8 6.5 3.6 | -16.1 3.0 190 20 10 6.7 3.7
24000 -14.0 6.8 185 14 7 6.5 3.6 | -14.1 6.6 190 18 9 6.8 3.7
23000 -12.1 10.2 185 14 7 6.5 3.6 | -12.1 10.2 190 17 9 6.8 3.7
22000 -10.2 13.6 190 14 7 5.7 3.1 | -10.2 13.6 190 15 8 6.0 3.3
21000 -8.6 16.5 200 14 7 5.6 3.1 | -8.5 16.7 185 14 7 6.0 3.3
20000 -7.0 19.4 210 14 7 5.6 3.1 | -6.8 19.8 180 12 6 6.0 3.3
19500 -6.2 20.8 210 14 7 5.7 3.2 | -5.9 21.4 180 12 6 6.0 3.3
19000 -5.3 22.5 215 14 7 6.0 3.3 | -5.0 23.0 175 11 6 6.0 3.3
18500 -4.5 23.9 215 14 7 6.0 3.3 | -4.2 24.4 170 11 5 6.1 3.4
18000 -3.6 25.5 215 14 7 6.1 3.3 | -3.3 26.1 170 10 5 5.2 2.8
17500 -2.7 27.1 220 13 7 6.1 3.3 | -2.6 27.3 170 9 5 5.1 2.8
17000 -1.8 28.8 220 13 6 6.3 3.5 | -1.9 28.6 170 9 5 5.4 3.0
16500 -0.8 30.6 220 11 6 7.0 3.8 | -1.0 30.2 170 8 4 6.1 3.3
16000 0.2 32.4 220 9 5 6.9 3.8 | -0.2 31.6 165 7 4 5.9 3.2
15500 1.2 34.2 215 7 4 7.3 4.0 | 0.8 33.4 165 6 3 7.7 4.2
15000 2.2 36.0 215 5 3 7.3 4.0 | 1.9 35.4 160 6 3 7.6 4.1
14500 3.3 37.9 210 4 2 7.3 4.0 | 3.0 37.4 160 5 2 7.9 4.3
14000 4.4 39.9 205 2 1 7.3 4.0 | 4.2 39.6 160 4 2 8.0 4.4
13500 5.4 41.7 000 0 0 7.2 4.0 | 5.3 41.5 165 3 1 8.1 4.5
13000 6.5 43.7 025 2 1 7.1 3.9 | 6.5 43.7 185 2 1 8.3 4.5
12500 7.5 45.5 020 3 2 7.2 3.9 | 7.7 45.9 215 2 1 8.3 4.6
12000 8.6 47.5 015 4 2 7.5 4.1 | 9.0 48.2 245 2 1 8.3 4.6
11500 9.6 49.3 005 5 2 7.2 4.0 | 10.2 50.4 260 3 1 8.9 4.9
11000 11.2 52.2 350 5 2 7.6 4.2 | 11.5 52.7 265 3 2 8.3 4.5
10500 12.3 54.1 340 5 2 7.0 3.9 | 13.2 55.8 265 5 3 8.1 4.5
10250 12.7 54.9 335 5 2 6.9 3.8 | 13.9 57.0 265 6 3 9.8 5.4
10000 13.2 55.8 330 5 2 7.0 3.9 | 14.6 58.3 265 6 3 9.5 5.2
9750 13.7 56.7 320 4 2 6.8 3.7 | 15.3 59.5 260 6 3 9.5 5.2
9500 14.2 57.6 310 5 2 5.1 2.8 | 16.0 60.8 260 7 4 9.3 5.1
9250 14.5 58.1 300 5 3 5.7 3.1 | 16.7 62.1 255 7 4 9.4 5.2
9000 15.0 59.0 290 5 3 7.4 4.0 | 17.4 63.3 255 8 4 9.5 5.2
8750 15.5 59.9 285 6 3 6.6 3.6 | 18.1 64.6 255 8 4 9.6 5.2
8500 15.9 60.6 275 6 3 5.2 2.8 | 18.8 65.8 255 8 4 9.6 5.2
8250 16.3 61.3 270 7 4 6.1 3.3 | 19.6 67.3 250 9 5 9.9 5.4
8000 16.8 62.2 265 8 4 9.2 5.0 | 20.3 68.5 250 9 5 10.5 5.8
7750 17.6 63.7 265 8 4 9.9 5.4 | 21.1 70.0 250 10 5 10.5 5.8
7500 18.3 64.9 260 8 4 9.6 5.3 | 21.9 71.4 245 10 5 10.3 5.6
7250 19.0 66.2 260 8 4 9.7 5.3 | 22.6 72.7 245 10 5 10.3 5.6
7000 19.7 67.5 260 8 4 9.5 5.2 | 23.4 74.1 245 10 5 10.5 5.8
6750 20.5 68.9 255 8 4 13.9 7.6 | 24.4 75.9 245 10 5 18.0 9.9
6500 22.2 72.0 255 8 4 37.3 20.5 | 26.7 80.1 240 10 5 51.3 28.2
08/14/2026 at 1500 MDT | 08/14/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +223.7 LI... -1.4 | CAPE... +149.2 LI... -2.2
CINH... -1.0 K Index... +27.9 | CINH... -19.0 K Index... +29.5
|
Height Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate | Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft | deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -66.0 -86.8 205 11 6 0.8 0.4 | -65.8 -86.4 190 8 4 1.1 0.6
45000 -61.9 -79.4 190 16 8 6.4 3.5 | -61.4 -78.5 185 15 8 6.2 3.4
40000 -51.2 -60.2 215 12 6 8.6 4.7 | -51.0 -59.8 210 9 5 8.4 4.6
38000 -46.0 -50.8 210 11 6 8.6 4.7 | -46.0 -50.8 190 9 5 8.4 4.6
36000 -40.9 -41.6 205 10 5 8.4 4.6 | -40.9 -41.6 170 10 5 8.7 4.8
34000 -35.8 -32.4 210 11 6 8.4 4.6 | -35.6 -32.1 170 10 5 8.8 4.8
32000 -30.8 -23.4 210 12 6 8.1 4.5 | -30.4 -22.7 175 10 5 8.5 4.7
30000 -26.3 -15.3 210 18 9 7.5 4.1 | -25.6 -14.1 205 16 8 7.9 4.4
29000 -24.1 -11.4 210 21 11 7.5 4.1 | -23.2 -9.8 210 20 10 8.0 4.4
28000 -21.9 -7.4 210 23 12 6.4 3.5 | -21.0 -5.8 215 23 12 6.3 3.4
27000 -20.0 -4.0 210 23 12 6.5 3.6 | -18.6 -1.5 215 24 13 6.4 3.5
26000 -17.6 0.3 210 23 12 6.5 3.6 | -16.7 1.9 215 25 13 6.4 3.5
25000 -15.7 3.7 205 23 12 6.3 3.4 | -14.9 5.2 215 26 13 5.6 3.1
24000 -13.8 7.2 205 21 11 6.3 3.4 | -13.3 8.1 215 25 13 5.6 3.0
23000 -12.0 10.4 205 20 10 6.3 3.4 | -11.7 10.9 220 24 12 5.6 3.1
22000 -10.1 13.8 205 18 9 6.4 3.5 | -10.1 13.8 225 23 12 5.6 3.1
21000 -8.2 17.2 200 17 9 6.5 3.5 | -8.5 16.7 225 21 11 5.6 3.1
20000 -6.3 20.7 195 16 8 6.5 3.5 | -6.9 19.6 225 19 10 5.7 3.1
19500 -5.4 22.3 195 16 8 6.4 3.5 | -6.1 21.0 225 18 9 6.0 3.3
19000 -4.4 24.1 195 16 8 6.4 3.5 | -5.1 22.8 225 17 9 6.9 3.8
18500 -3.5 25.7 195 15 8 6.5 3.5 | -4.1 24.6 220 17 9 6.9 3.8
18000 -2.6 27.3 195 15 8 5.9 3.2 | -3.1 26.4 220 16 8 6.3 3.4
17500 -1.8 28.8 195 14 7 5.9 3.2 | -2.2 28.0 215 15 8 6.2 3.4
17000 -1.0 30.2 195 13 7 6.1 3.4 | -1.4 29.5 210 15 8 6.4 3.5
16500 -0.1 31.8 200 13 7 6.6 3.6 | -0.4 31.3 205 15 8 6.9 3.8
16000 0.8 33.4 200 12 6 6.6 3.6 | 0.5 32.9 200 15 8 6.9 3.8
15500 1.7 35.1 200 12 6 6.8 3.7 | 1.6 34.9 200 15 8 7.9 4.3
15000 2.6 36.7 200 11 6 6.9 3.8 | 2.7 36.9 200 15 8 7.8 4.3
14500 3.6 38.5 200 11 6 7.4 4.1 | 3.8 38.8 205 15 8 7.8 4.3
14000 4.7 40.5 205 11 5 7.6 4.2 | 4.9 40.8 210 14 7 7.8 4.3
13500 5.7 42.3 210 10 5 8.2 4.5 | 6.0 42.8 215 14 7 8.0 4.4
13000 7.0 44.6 215 10 5 8.9 4.9 | 7.2 45.0 225 13 7 8.2 4.5
12500 8.3 46.9 220 10 5 9.0 4.9 | 8.4 47.1 230 13 7 8.3 4.5
12000 9.7 49.5 220 10 5 9.4 5.1 | 9.6 49.3 240 12 6 8.5 4.7
11500 11.1 52.0 225 10 5 9.6 5.2 | 10.9 51.6 250 12 6 9.6 5.3
11000 12.5 54.5 225 11 6 9.2 5.1 | 12.3 54.1 250 12 6 8.8 4.8
10500 14.5 58.1 225 11 6 9.1 5.0 | 14.3 57.7 260 13 6 9.2 5.1
10250 15.3 59.5 225 12 6 10.0 5.5 | 15.0 59.0 260 13 7 9.5 5.2
10000 16.0 60.8 225 12 6 9.8 5.3 | 15.7 60.3 260 13 7 9.4 5.2
9750 16.7 62.1 225 12 6 9.7 5.3 | 16.4 61.5 265 13 7 9.4 5.2
9500 17.4 63.3 230 13 7 9.4 5.1 | 17.1 62.8 265 13 7 9.4 5.2
9250 18.1 64.6 230 13 7 9.8 5.4 | 17.8 64.0 265 13 7 9.6 5.3
9000 18.9 66.0 230 13 7 10.2 5.6 | 18.6 65.5 265 14 7 9.8 5.4
8750 19.6 67.3 230 14 7 10.0 5.5 | 19.3 66.7 270 14 7 9.7 5.3
8500 20.4 68.7 230 14 7 9.6 5.3 | 20.0 68.0 270 14 7 9.2 5.0
8250 21.1 70.0 230 14 7 9.8 5.4 | 20.7 69.3 270 14 7 9.5 5.2
8000 21.9 71.4 235 15 7 10.4 5.7 | 21.4 70.5 270 14 7 10.4 5.7
7750 22.6 72.7 235 15 8 10.7 5.9 | 22.2 72.0 270 14 7 10.3 5.7
7500 23.4 74.1 235 15 8 10.7 5.9 | 23.0 73.4 270 14 7 10.0 5.5
7250 24.2 75.6 235 15 8 11.2 6.2 | 23.7 74.7 270 15 7 10.2 5.6
7000 25.0 77.0 235 15 8 9.1 5.0 | 24.4 75.9 270 15 7 9.3 5.1
6750 25.8 78.4 235 14 7 15.3 8.4 | 25.2 77.4 275 14 7 12.2 6.7
6500 28.7 83.7 235 14 7 77.9 42.7 | 26.9 80.4 275 13 6 41.1 22.6
________________________________________________________________________________
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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