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Soaring Forecast for Moriarty NM
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
0707 MDT Sunday September 20 2026
This forecast is for Sunday, September 20, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 72.5 F/22.5 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 967 ft/min (4.9 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 16804 ft MSL (10468 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 80.0 F/27.1 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1145 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................. 14930 ft MSL (8594 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Monday 09/21....... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:50:52 / 19:03:49 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 12 hr 12 min 57 sec (732 min 57 sec)
Altitude of sun at 12:57:21 MDT... 55.88 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 09/20/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 13990 ft MSL (7654 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 14873 ft MSL (8537 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 16241 ft MSL (9906 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... -0.8
K index......................... +12.9
Height Temperature Wind Wind Spd Lapse Rate ConvectionT Thermal Lift Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft deg C deg F Index fpm m/s
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -63.6 -82.5 270 30 15 4.3 2.4 81.0 177.8 32.1 M M
45000 -56.6 -69.9 260 43 22 5.5 3.0 69.5 157.1 27.1 M M
40000 -48.5 -55.3 260 46 24 3.7 2.0 60.1 140.2 22.5 M M
38000 -46.0 -50.8 255 43 22 3.8 2.1 53.8 128.9 18.9 M M
36000 -43.7 -46.7 245 40 21 3.6 2.0 49.1 120.4 16.0 M M
34000 -40.6 -41.1 250 39 20 5.5 3.0 45.1 113.2 13.5 M M
32000 -37.2 -35.0 250 38 20 5.5 3.0 41.8 107.3 11.4 M M
30000 -33.1 -27.6 260 35 18 7.3 4.0 39.5 103.1 9.8 M M
29000 -30.9 -23.6 265 33 17 7.3 4.0 38.6 101.4 9.3 M M
28000 -28.7 -19.7 275 32 16 7.6 4.2 37.8 100.0 8.8 M M
27000 -26.2 -15.2 275 28 15 8.3 4.5 37.1 98.8 8.3 M M
26000 -23.7 -10.7 280 25 13 8.3 4.5 36.5 97.7 7.9 M M
25000 -21.3 -6.3 280 22 11 8.3 4.5 36.1 96.9 7.7 M M
24000 -18.8 -1.8 285 21 11 8.3 4.6 35.5 95.9 7.3 M M
23000 -16.3 2.7 290 20 11 8.3 4.6 35.0 94.9 6.9 M M
22000 -13.8 7.2 290 20 10 8.6 4.7 34.5 94.1 6.6 M M
21000 -11.2 11.8 295 18 10 6.4 3.5 33.1 91.6 5.5 M M
20000 -9.3 15.3 295 17 9 6.4 3.5 32.0 89.5 4.6 M M
19500 -8.4 16.9 295 16 8 6.4 3.5 31.4 88.6 4.1 M M
19000 -7.6 18.3 300 15 8 4.9 2.7 30.7 87.3 3.5 M M
18500 -6.8 19.8 295 14 7 5.0 2.8 29.9 85.8 2.8 M M
18000 -6.1 21.0 295 13 6 4.3 2.4 29.1 84.4 2.1 M M
17500 -5.5 22.1 290 13 6 4.0 2.2 28.1 82.6 1.1 M M
17000 -5.0 23.0 285 13 7 4.0 2.2 27.1 80.8 0.2 M M
16500 -4.4 24.1 280 13 7 4.3 2.4 26.2 79.1 -0.7 944 4.8
16000 -3.9 25.0 280 14 7 4.4 2.4 25.3 77.5 -1.6 912 4.6
15500 -3.2 26.2 280 15 8 6.4 3.5 24.5 76.2 -2.4 877 4.5
15000 -2.3 27.9 280 15 8 6.7 3.7 24.0 75.2 -3.0 835 4.2
14500 -1.3 29.7 280 16 8 8.4 4.6 23.6 74.4 -3.5 792 4.0
14000 0.0 32.0 285 15 8 9.4 5.1 23.5 74.3 -3.6 736 3.7
13500 1.4 34.5 285 15 8 9.6 5.3 23.5 74.2 -3.7 680 3.5
13000 2.9 37.2 290 15 8 10.0 5.5 23.5 74.3 -3.7 621 3.2
12500 4.4 39.9 290 14 7 9.9 5.4 23.5 74.4 -3.7 561 2.9
12000 5.8 42.4 290 13 7 9.5 5.2 23.5 74.3 -3.7 503 2.6
11500 7.2 45.0 295 13 7 9.7 5.3 23.5 74.2 -3.8 446 2.3
11000 8.7 47.7 295 12 6 9.3 5.1 23.4 74.2 -3.8 388 2.0
10500 10.1 50.2 295 11 6 9.2 5.0 23.4 74.1 -3.9 331 1.7
10250 10.7 51.3 290 11 6 8.7 4.8 23.3 74.0 -4.0 304 1.5
10000 11.4 52.5 290 11 6 8.7 4.8 23.3 73.9 -4.1 278 1.4
9750 12.0 53.6 290 11 5 9.0 4.9 23.2 73.7 -4.2 251 1.3
9500 12.7 54.9 285 10 5 8.6 4.7 23.1 73.6 -4.3 224 1.1
9250 13.2 55.8 285 10 5 8.2 4.5 23.0 73.4 -4.4 199 1.0
9000 13.8 56.8 285 10 5 6.8 3.7 22.9 73.2 -4.6 175 0.9
8750 14.2 57.6 280 9 5 5.9 3.2 22.6 72.6 -5.0 156 0.8
8500 14.6 58.3 280 9 5 4.9 2.7 22.3 72.1 -5.3 136 0.7
8250 14.8 58.6 280 8 4 3.0 1.7 21.8 71.2 -5.8 121 0.6
8000 15.0 59.0 280 8 4 2.8 1.5 21.3 70.3 -6.4 108 0.6
7750 15.2 59.4 280 7 3 2.5 1.4 20.7 69.3 -7.0 96 0.5
7500 15.3 59.5 285 6 3 1.3 0.7 20.1 68.3 -7.6 85 0.4
7250 15.3 59.5 290 5 2 0.1 0.0 19.4 67.0 -8.3 77 0.4
7000 15.3 59.5 300 4 2 1.2 0.7 18.7 65.7 -9.1 70 0.4
6750 15.3 59.5 320 3 1 -2.8 -1.5 18.0 64.4 -9.8 63 0.3
6500 14.6 58.3 345 2 1 -14.5 -8.0 16.7 62.0 -11.3 76 0.4
6250 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
09/20/2026 at 0900 MDT | 09/20/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +2.9 | CAPE... +1.5 LI... +3.4
CINH... -1.8 K Index... +1.6 | CINH... -73.7 K Index... +2.9
|
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 -63.7 -82.7 275 30 15 3.8 2.1 | -64.0 -83.2 260 30 15 3.7 2.0
45000 -56.4 -69.5 275 46 24 7.3 4.0 | -57.3 -71.1 270 41 21 6.3 3.4
40000 -46.1 -51.0 270 51 26 1.3 0.7 | -48.3 -54.9 280 53 28 2.3 1.2
38000 -45.1 -49.2 270 44 23 1.6 0.9 | -46.8 -52.2 290 57 29 2.4 1.3
36000 -44.1 -47.4 270 37 19 1.3 0.7 | -45.2 -49.4 300 63 33 2.1 1.1
34000 -41.4 -42.5 270 33 17 5.1 2.8 | -42.0 -43.6 295 48 25 5.7 3.1
32000 -38.4 -37.1 265 28 15 5.0 2.8 | -38.6 -37.5 290 29 15 5.6 3.1
30000 -34.0 -29.2 270 25 13 8.0 4.4 | -33.9 -29.0 280 24 12 8.3 4.6
29000 -31.6 -24.9 275 24 12 8.0 4.4 | -31.4 -24.5 280 23 12 8.3 4.6
28000 -29.2 -20.6 280 23 12 8.3 4.5 | -28.9 -20.0 275 22 11 8.5 4.6
27000 -26.6 -15.9 280 21 11 8.7 4.8 | -26.3 -15.3 275 19 10 8.6 4.7
26000 -24.0 -11.2 285 20 10 8.7 4.8 | -23.7 -10.7 275 16 8 8.6 4.7
25000 -21.4 -6.5 290 19 10 8.7 4.8 | -21.2 -6.2 275 14 7 8.6 4.7
24000 -18.7 -1.7 295 17 9 8.8 4.8 | -18.5 -1.3 275 12 6 8.7 4.8
23000 -16.1 3.0 295 16 8 8.8 4.8 | -15.9 3.4 275 11 6 8.7 4.8
22000 -13.5 7.7 295 15 8 8.8 4.8 | -13.3 8.1 275 11 5 8.7 4.7
21000 -11.3 11.7 295 14 7 6.9 3.8 | -11.0 12.2 280 10 5 7.4 4.0
20000 -8.7 16.3 295 12 6 6.9 3.8 | -8.2 17.2 280 9 4 7.4 4.0
19500 -7.7 18.1 300 11 6 6.8 3.7 | -7.1 19.2 280 8 4 7.2 3.9
19000 -6.7 19.9 300 10 5 6.0 3.3 | -6.2 20.8 280 8 4 6.1 3.3
18500 -5.8 21.6 300 9 4 6.0 3.3 | -5.2 22.6 280 7 3 6.2 3.4
18000 -4.9 23.2 295 7 4 5.2 2.9 | -4.4 24.1 275 6 3 5.2 2.9
17500 -4.2 24.4 290 7 4 4.9 2.7 | -3.6 25.5 275 6 3 5.0 2.7
17000 -3.5 25.7 285 7 3 4.7 2.6 | -2.9 26.8 270 6 3 4.4 2.4
16500 -3.0 26.6 280 8 4 3.5 1.9 | -2.5 27.5 265 7 4 1.9 1.0
16000 -2.5 27.5 280 9 5 3.7 2.0 | -2.3 27.9 265 8 4 2.2 1.2
15500 -2.0 28.4 275 11 6 3.7 2.1 | -2.0 28.4 265 9 5 3.2 1.8
15000 -1.5 29.3 275 13 7 4.0 2.2 | -1.6 29.1 265 10 5 3.5 1.9
14500 -1.0 30.2 275 15 8 6.7 3.7 | -1.1 30.0 265 10 5 7.7 4.2
14000 0.2 32.4 280 15 8 8.1 4.4 | 0.2 32.4 265 10 5 9.1 5.0
13500 1.3 34.3 280 15 8 8.8 4.8 | 1.5 34.7 265 10 5 9.3 5.1
13000 2.7 36.9 285 15 8 9.7 5.3 | 2.9 37.2 265 10 5 9.4 5.1
12500 4.2 39.6 285 14 7 9.8 5.4 | 4.3 39.7 270 10 5 9.5 5.2
12000 5.7 42.3 290 14 7 9.9 5.4 | 5.7 42.3 270 10 5 9.7 5.3
11500 7.2 45.0 290 14 7 9.2 5.0 | 7.2 45.0 270 11 5 9.5 5.2
11000 8.6 47.5 295 13 7 9.8 5.4 | 8.6 47.5 270 11 5 9.6 5.3
10500 10.0 50.0 300 13 7 9.6 5.2 | 10.0 50.0 270 11 5 9.3 5.1
10250 10.7 51.3 300 12 6 9.3 5.1 | 10.7 51.3 270 11 5 9.3 5.1
10000 11.4 52.5 300 12 6 9.3 5.1 | 11.4 52.5 270 11 5 10.1 5.5
9750 12.1 53.8 300 11 6 9.5 5.2 | 12.2 54.0 270 10 5 10.2 5.6
9500 12.8 55.0 305 11 5 9.0 4.9 | 13.0 55.4 270 10 5 10.1 5.5
9250 13.4 56.1 300 10 5 8.7 4.8 | 13.7 56.7 270 10 5 10.1 5.5
9000 14.0 57.2 300 9 5 7.2 4.0 | 14.5 58.1 275 10 5 9.9 5.4
8750 14.4 57.9 295 9 5 6.3 3.5 | 15.2 59.4 275 10 5 9.8 5.4
8500 14.8 58.6 290 9 4 5.2 2.8 | 15.9 60.6 275 10 5 9.8 5.4
8250 15.1 59.2 290 8 4 3.4 1.9 | 16.6 61.9 275 10 5 9.6 5.3
8000 15.3 59.5 290 8 4 3.2 1.7 | 17.4 63.3 275 10 5 9.8 5.4
7750 15.4 59.7 290 7 4 1.5 0.8 | 18.1 64.6 275 10 5 10.2 5.6
7500 15.4 59.7 290 7 3 1.7 0.9 | 18.9 66.0 275 10 5 10.4 5.7
7250 15.6 60.1 295 6 3 2.7 1.5 | 19.7 67.5 275 10 5 10.7 5.9
7000 15.7 60.3 300 5 2 1.9 1.0 | 20.4 68.7 280 9 5 9.9 5.4
6750 15.9 60.6 315 4 2 5.4 2.9 | 21.2 70.2 280 9 5 12.7 7.0
6500 16.5 61.7 320 3 2 14.0 7.7 | 22.5 72.5 280 9 5 21.6 11.8
6250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
09/20/2026 at 1500 MDT | 09/20/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +0.9 LI... +2.7 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +2.4
CINH... -35.0 K Index... +3.4 | CINH... -0.1 K Index... +2.6
|
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 -63.4 -82.1 265 40 21 3.9 2.2 | -63.0 -81.4 265 39 20 3.6 2.0
45000 -57.3 -71.1 275 52 27 4.5 2.5 | -57.7 -71.9 275 50 26 3.5 1.9
40000 -50.6 -59.1 285 62 32 3.9 2.2 | -52.2 -62.0 290 59 30 6.3 3.4
38000 -48.2 -54.8 290 62 32 4.0 2.2 | -48.4 -55.1 290 57 29 6.2 3.4
36000 -45.5 -49.9 295 62 32 3.5 1.9 | -44.3 -47.7 290 55 28 6.2 3.4
34000 -40.9 -41.6 295 56 29 8.3 4.5 | -40.0 -40.0 290 48 25 7.1 3.9
32000 -35.9 -32.6 295 50 26 8.4 4.6 | -35.8 -32.4 290 41 21 7.1 3.9
30000 -32.2 -26.0 290 36 19 5.7 3.1 | -31.0 -23.8 295 37 19 8.0 4.4
29000 -30.5 -22.9 285 29 15 5.7 3.1 | -28.6 -19.5 295 35 18 8.0 4.4
28000 -28.8 -19.8 275 22 11 7.1 3.9 | -26.2 -15.2 295 33 17 7.2 4.0
27000 -26.2 -15.2 270 20 10 8.6 4.7 | -24.2 -11.6 295 28 15 6.4 3.5
26000 -23.6 -10.5 270 18 9 8.6 4.7 | -22.3 -8.1 285 24 12 6.4 3.5
25000 -21.0 -5.8 265 16 8 8.7 4.8 | -20.4 -4.7 280 20 10 6.2 3.4
24000 -18.6 -1.5 265 14 7 8.1 4.5 | -18.1 -0.6 275 18 9 7.9 4.3
23000 -16.1 3.0 260 13 6 8.1 4.5 | -15.8 3.6 275 17 9 7.9 4.3
22000 -13.7 7.3 250 11 6 8.1 4.4 | -13.4 7.9 275 16 8 7.9 4.3
21000 -11.4 11.5 255 10 5 7.4 4.1 | -11.3 11.7 280 14 7 6.7 3.7
20000 -8.6 16.5 260 10 5 7.4 4.1 | -8.8 16.2 285 12 6 6.7 3.7
19500 -7.5 18.5 260 10 5 7.3 4.0 | -7.8 18.0 285 11 5 6.7 3.7
19000 -6.5 20.3 265 10 5 6.9 3.8 | -6.8 19.8 285 10 5 6.9 3.8
18500 -5.4 22.3 265 10 5 6.9 3.8 | -5.8 21.6 290 10 5 6.9 3.8
18000 -4.4 24.1 265 9 5 6.3 3.4 | -4.8 23.4 290 10 5 6.0 3.3
17500 -3.5 25.7 265 9 5 6.0 3.3 | -3.9 25.0 295 10 5 5.7 3.1
17000 -2.6 27.3 265 9 5 5.5 3.0 | -3.1 26.4 300 10 5 5.5 3.0
16500 -2.2 28.0 265 8 4 2.3 1.3 | -2.4 27.7 305 10 5 4.6 2.5
16000 -1.8 28.8 270 8 4 2.9 1.6 | -1.7 28.9 315 10 5 4.9 2.7
15500 -1.5 29.3 275 8 4 4.1 2.3 | -1.1 30.0 320 10 5 4.7 2.6
15000 -1.0 30.2 275 8 4 4.5 2.5 | -0.5 31.1 315 10 5 5.2 2.8
14500 -0.4 31.3 280 8 4 7.7 4.2 | 0.1 32.2 315 10 5 7.6 4.1
14000 0.9 33.6 280 8 4 9.0 4.9 | 1.3 34.3 310 10 5 8.6 4.7
13500 2.2 36.0 280 8 4 9.4 5.2 | 2.5 36.5 300 9 5 9.1 5.0
13000 3.7 38.7 280 8 4 9.8 5.4 | 4.0 39.2 300 10 5 9.7 5.3
12500 5.2 41.4 280 8 4 9.8 5.4 | 5.4 41.7 300 10 5 9.8 5.4
12000 6.6 43.9 280 8 4 9.5 5.2 | 6.9 44.4 295 10 5 9.8 5.4
11500 8.0 46.4 280 8 4 9.4 5.1 | 8.4 47.1 295 10 5 9.2 5.0
11000 9.5 49.1 280 9 5 9.8 5.4 | 9.8 49.6 295 10 5 9.9 5.4
10500 10.9 51.6 280 9 5 9.7 5.3 | 11.2 52.2 290 10 5 9.6 5.2
10250 11.6 52.9 280 9 5 9.6 5.2 | 11.9 53.4 290 10 5 9.5 5.2
10000 12.3 54.1 280 10 5 9.6 5.3 | 12.7 54.9 290 10 5 9.9 5.4
9750 13.1 55.6 280 10 5 9.5 5.2 | 13.4 56.1 290 11 5 9.9 5.4
9500 13.8 56.8 275 10 5 9.9 5.4 | 14.1 57.4 290 11 5 10.2 5.6
9250 14.5 58.1 275 11 5 11.0 6.1 | 14.9 58.8 290 11 6 11.3 6.2
9000 15.4 59.7 275 11 6 10.0 5.5 | 15.8 60.4 290 11 6 10.0 5.5
8750 16.0 60.8 275 11 6 8.7 4.8 | 16.4 61.5 285 11 6 8.5 4.7
8500 16.7 62.1 275 12 6 9.5 5.2 | 17.1 62.8 285 11 6 9.3 5.1
8250 17.4 63.3 275 12 6 10.0 5.5 | 17.8 64.0 285 11 6 10.0 5.5
8000 18.2 64.8 275 12 6 10.1 5.5 | 18.6 65.5 285 11 6 9.9 5.4
7750 18.9 66.0 275 12 6 9.7 5.3 | 19.3 66.7 285 11 6 9.2 5.0
7500 19.7 67.5 275 13 7 10.2 5.6 | 20.0 68.0 285 11 6 9.6 5.3
7250 20.5 68.9 275 13 7 10.9 6.0 | 20.7 69.3 285 11 6 10.2 5.6
7000 21.3 70.3 275 13 7 10.2 5.6 | 21.5 70.7 280 11 6 10.1 5.5
6750 22.1 71.8 275 13 7 11.6 6.4 | 22.2 72.0 280 11 6 9.7 5.3
6500 23.1 73.6 275 13 6 19.5 10.7 | 22.9 73.2 280 10 5 9.4 5.2
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
0708 MDT Sunday September 20 2026
This forecast is for Sunday, September 20, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 75.6 F/24.2 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 968 ft/min (4.9 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 15815 ft MSL (10135 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 79.0 F/26.6 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1345 MDT
Time of overdevelopment........................ None
Middle/high clouds during soaring window....... None
Surface winds during soaring window............ 20 mph or less
Height of the -3 thermal index................. 8582 ft MSL (2901 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Monday 09/21....... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:53:21 / 19:06:19 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 12 hr 12 min 58 sec (732 min 58 sec)
Altitude of sun at 12:59:50 MDT... 55.82 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 09/20/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 13983 ft MSL (8303 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 14119 ft MSL (8439 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 14699 ft MSL (9019 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... -0.1
K index......................... +19.2
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 -63.1 -81.6 270 27 14 3.9 2.1 84.3 183.7 34.2 M M
45000 -56.4 -69.5 265 40 21 5.9 3.3 72.2 162.0 29.0 M M
40000 -47.5 -53.5 265 43 22 3.4 1.9 62.8 145.0 24.6 M M
38000 -45.5 -49.9 260 41 21 3.3 1.8 56.8 134.3 21.2 M M
36000 -43.5 -46.3 260 38 20 3.3 1.8 51.7 125.0 18.1 M M
34000 -40.8 -41.4 260 36 18 4.8 2.6 47.1 116.7 15.2 M M
32000 -38.0 -36.4 265 33 17 4.9 2.7 43.1 109.6 12.7 M M
30000 -33.8 -28.8 270 31 16 7.7 4.2 40.8 105.5 11.2 M M
29000 -31.5 -24.7 270 29 15 7.7 4.2 40.1 104.1 10.8 M M
28000 -29.2 -20.6 275 28 14 7.9 4.3 39.4 103.0 10.4 M M
27000 -26.6 -15.9 275 25 13 8.5 4.6 38.8 101.9 10.0 M M
26000 -24.1 -11.4 280 23 12 8.5 4.6 38.3 100.9 9.8 M M
25000 -20.9 -5.6 285 20 10 8.5 4.7 37.8 100.1 9.5 M M
24000 -18.4 -1.1 285 19 10 8.5 4.7 37.3 99.1 9.2 M M
23000 -15.8 3.6 285 18 9 8.5 4.7 36.9 98.3 8.9 M M
22000 -13.2 8.2 290 18 9 7.8 4.3 36.5 97.7 8.7 M M
21000 -11.2 11.8 290 17 9 6.7 3.7 35.4 95.7 7.9 M M
20000 -9.2 15.4 295 15 8 6.7 3.7 34.3 93.8 7.1 M M
19500 -8.2 17.2 295 15 8 6.9 3.8 33.9 92.9 6.7 M M
19000 -7.3 18.9 295 14 7 4.9 2.7 33.2 91.8 6.1 M M
18500 -6.5 20.3 295 12 6 5.1 2.8 32.4 90.3 5.5 M M
18000 -5.8 21.6 295 11 6 4.2 2.3 31.6 89.0 4.8 M M
17500 -5.3 22.5 290 11 6 3.2 1.8 30.5 86.9 3.8 M M
17000 -4.9 23.2 285 11 6 3.3 1.8 29.4 84.9 2.8 M M
16500 -4.6 23.7 280 12 6 2.3 1.3 28.2 82.8 1.7 M M
16000 -4.3 24.3 275 13 7 2.6 1.4 27.0 80.6 0.5 M M
15500 -3.9 25.0 270 15 8 6.7 3.7 26.0 78.9 -0.5 950 4.8
15000 -2.8 27.0 270 15 8 8.0 4.4 25.7 78.3 -0.9 902 4.6
14500 -1.7 28.9 270 15 8 8.9 4.9 25.5 77.8 -1.3 854 4.3
14000 -0.2 31.6 270 14 7 9.9 5.4 25.5 77.8 -1.3 796 4.0
13500 1.3 34.3 275 14 7 10.0 5.5 25.5 77.9 -1.3 737 3.7
13000 2.8 37.0 275 13 7 10.0 5.5 25.5 78.0 -1.2 677 3.4
12500 4.3 39.7 280 13 6 10.0 5.5 25.6 78.1 -1.2 617 3.1
12000 5.7 42.3 285 12 6 9.6 5.3 25.6 78.1 -1.2 559 2.8
11500 7.2 45.0 290 11 6 9.7 5.3 25.6 78.0 -1.2 501 2.5
11000 8.6 47.5 295 10 5 9.1 5.0 25.5 77.9 -1.3 444 2.3
10500 9.9 49.8 305 10 5 9.7 5.3 25.4 77.8 -1.4 388 2.0
10250 10.7 51.3 305 9 5 9.1 5.0 25.4 77.8 -1.4 359 1.8
10000 11.3 52.3 305 9 5 7.9 4.4 25.3 77.5 -1.5 334 1.7
9750 11.8 53.2 300 8 4 7.9 4.3 25.2 77.3 -1.7 309 1.6
9500 12.4 54.3 300 8 4 9.3 5.1 25.0 77.1 -1.8 284 1.4
9250 13.1 55.6 295 7 4 8.1 4.4 25.0 77.1 -1.9 256 1.3
9000 13.9 57.0 285 7 3 6.6 3.6 24.5 76.0 -2.6 217 1.1
8750 14.3 57.7 280 6 3 4.9 2.7 24.2 75.5 -2.9 198 1.0
8500 14.5 58.1 275 6 3 2.8 1.6 23.7 74.7 -3.4 184 0.9
8250 14.7 58.5 270 6 3 3.8 2.1 23.2 73.8 -4.0 171 0.9
8000 15.0 59.0 265 5 3 4.7 2.6 22.8 73.0 -4.4 155 0.8
7750 15.3 59.5 260 4 2 3.9 2.1 22.4 72.3 -4.9 139 0.7
7500 15.5 59.9 255 3 2 3.0 1.6 21.9 71.4 -5.4 124 0.6
7250 15.7 60.3 255 2 1 3.1 1.7 21.4 70.5 -5.9 111 0.6
7000 16.0 60.8 250 1 1 3.2 1.7 20.9 69.6 -6.4 97 0.5
6750 16.2 61.2 235 1 0 3.9 2.2 20.4 68.7 -6.9 83 0.4
6500 16.5 61.7 000 0 0 4.4 2.4 20.0 68.0 -7.4 67 0.3
6250 16.8 62.2 055 1 0 4.6 2.5 19.6 67.3 -7.9 50 0.3
6000 17.0 62.6 060 1 1 -0.3 -0.2 19.1 66.4 -8.4 37 0.2
5750 15.9 60.6 055 1 1 -34.1 -18.7 17.4 63.2 -10.3 63 0.3
5500 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
09/20/2026 at 0900 MDT | 09/20/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... +8.4 LI... +2.4 | CAPE... +85.8 LI... +1.8
CINH... -132.7 K Index... +11.6 | CINH... -124.2 K Index... +4.3
|
Height Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate | Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft | deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -63.5 -82.3 275 29 15 3.5 1.9 | -63.6 -82.5 260 29 15 3.4 1.9
45000 -56.5 -69.7 275 46 24 7.2 4.0 | -57.4 -71.3 270 42 22 5.8 3.2
40000 -46.1 -51.0 270 51 26 1.9 1.1 | -49.0 -56.2 280 60 31 2.7 1.5
38000 -45.0 -49.0 275 47 24 1.8 1.0 | -47.0 -52.6 285 59 30 3.0 1.6
36000 -43.9 -47.0 285 43 22 1.7 0.9 | -45.3 -49.5 295 59 31 2.6 1.4
34000 -41.5 -42.7 280 36 18 4.5 2.5 | -41.6 -42.9 295 51 26 6.7 3.7
32000 -38.8 -37.8 280 28 14 4.6 2.5 | -37.6 -35.7 290 40 21 6.7 3.7
30000 -34.4 -29.9 275 25 13 8.3 4.6 | -33.4 -28.1 285 30 16 7.1 3.9
29000 -31.9 -25.4 275 23 12 8.3 4.6 | -31.2 -24.2 285 26 13 7.1 3.9
28000 -29.4 -20.9 280 22 11 8.5 4.6 | -29.1 -20.4 275 21 11 7.8 4.3
27000 -26.7 -16.1 280 20 11 8.8 4.8 | -26.4 -15.5 275 19 10 8.9 4.9
26000 -24.1 -11.4 280 19 10 8.8 4.8 | -23.8 -10.8 270 17 9 8.9 4.9
25000 -21.4 -6.5 285 17 9 8.8 4.9 | -21.1 -6.0 265 15 8 8.9 4.9
24000 -18.2 -0.8 285 16 8 8.7 4.8 | -17.9 -0.2 265 13 7 8.5 4.7
23000 -15.6 3.9 290 15 8 8.7 4.8 | -15.3 4.5 265 11 6 8.5 4.7
22000 -13.0 8.6 290 14 7 7.8 4.3 | -12.8 9.0 260 10 5 7.7 4.2
21000 -10.9 12.4 290 13 7 6.8 3.7 | -10.7 12.7 270 10 5 7.1 3.9
20000 -8.9 16.0 290 12 6 6.8 3.7 | -8.6 16.5 275 10 5 7.1 3.9
19500 -7.9 17.8 290 12 6 6.8 3.7 | -7.5 18.5 280 10 5 7.1 3.9
19000 -6.9 19.6 295 11 6 6.0 3.3 | -6.5 20.3 280 9 5 6.2 3.4
18500 -6.0 21.2 295 10 5 6.0 3.3 | -5.6 21.9 280 8 4 6.2 3.4
18000 -5.1 22.8 295 9 4 5.3 2.9 | -4.7 23.5 280 8 4 5.8 3.2
17500 -4.4 24.1 290 8 4 4.6 2.5 | -3.8 25.2 280 7 4 5.5 3.0
17000 -3.8 25.2 285 8 4 4.7 2.6 | -3.0 26.6 280 7 4 5.5 3.0
16500 -3.4 25.9 275 8 4 1.4 0.8 | -2.4 27.7 275 7 4 3.2 1.8
16000 -3.2 26.2 270 9 4 1.8 1.0 | -1.9 28.6 275 7 4 3.6 2.0
15500 -2.9 26.8 265 9 5 4.2 2.3 | -1.5 29.3 270 8 4 2.7 1.5
15000 -2.3 27.9 265 9 5 5.0 2.7 | -1.2 29.8 270 8 4 3.0 1.6
14500 -1.7 28.9 265 10 5 7.0 3.9 | -0.9 30.4 265 8 4 5.4 2.9
14000 -0.4 31.3 265 10 5 9.1 5.0 | 0.1 32.2 265 8 4 7.4 4.1
13500 1.0 33.8 265 10 5 9.4 5.1 | 1.2 34.2 270 9 4 8.1 4.5
13000 2.4 36.3 265 10 5 10.1 5.5 | 2.5 36.5 270 9 5 9.7 5.3
12500 3.9 39.0 265 10 5 10.0 5.5 | 3.9 39.0 270 9 5 9.6 5.3
12000 5.4 41.7 265 10 5 9.7 5.3 | 5.3 41.5 270 9 5 9.6 5.3
11500 6.8 44.2 270 10 5 9.7 5.3 | 6.8 44.2 270 10 5 9.6 5.3
11000 8.3 46.9 270 9 5 9.7 5.3 | 8.2 46.8 275 10 5 9.2 5.1
10500 9.7 49.5 270 9 5 9.3 5.1 | 9.5 49.1 275 10 5 9.3 5.1
10250 10.4 50.7 270 9 5 8.7 4.8 | 10.2 50.4 275 10 5 8.9 4.9
10000 11.0 51.8 265 8 4 8.6 4.7 | 10.8 51.4 280 9 5 8.3 4.6
9750 11.6 52.9 265 8 4 9.1 5.0 | 11.5 52.7 280 9 5 9.0 4.9
9500 12.3 54.1 265 8 4 7.2 4.0 | 12.1 53.8 285 9 5 7.1 3.9
9250 12.7 54.9 270 7 4 5.3 2.9 | 12.5 54.5 285 8 4 5.8 3.2
9000 13.4 56.1 265 7 3 6.2 3.4 | 12.9 55.2 285 7 4 6.6 3.6
8750 13.8 56.8 265 6 3 3.9 2.2 | 13.8 56.8 280 6 3 5.0 2.8
8500 13.9 57.0 265 5 3 1.5 0.8 | 14.0 57.2 275 5 3 5.5 3.0
8250 14.0 57.2 265 5 3 3.4 1.8 | 14.6 58.3 270 5 3 9.1 5.0
8000 14.3 57.7 265 4 2 4.1 2.3 | 15.2 59.4 265 5 2 9.4 5.2
7750 14.5 58.1 265 4 2 3.9 2.1 | 15.9 60.6 260 4 2 8.8 4.8
7500 14.8 58.6 270 3 2 4.0 2.2 | 16.5 61.7 260 4 2 8.6 4.7
7250 15.1 59.2 280 3 1 4.5 2.5 | 17.2 63.0 255 4 2 10.0 5.5
7000 15.4 59.7 295 2 1 4.9 2.7 | 18.0 64.4 255 4 2 10.7 5.9
6750 15.8 60.4 305 2 1 6.2 3.4 | 18.7 65.7 255 4 2 10.0 5.5
6500 16.3 61.3 315 2 1 7.2 3.9 | 19.5 67.1 255 4 2 9.9 5.4
6250 16.8 62.2 330 2 1 7.3 4.0 | 20.2 68.4 250 4 2 9.5 5.2
6000 17.4 63.3 335 2 1 10.9 6.0 | 21.0 69.8 250 4 2 12.9 7.1
5750 18.5 65.3 330 2 1 21.7 11.9 | 22.7 72.9 250 4 2 40.1 22.0
5500 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
09/20/2026 at 1500 MDT | 09/20/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +2.7 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +2.7
CINH... -7.9 K Index... +6.8 | CINH... -0.1 K Index... +22.9
|
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 -63.2 -81.8 265 39 20 3.6 2.0 | -63.1 -81.6 265 41 21 3.4 1.9
45000 -57.6 -71.7 275 53 27 3.8 2.1 | -58.1 -72.6 275 52 27 3.3 1.8
40000 -51.8 -61.2 285 64 33 5.1 2.8 | -52.8 -63.0 285 59 31 6.7 3.7
38000 -48.4 -55.1 290 61 31 5.0 2.8 | -48.3 -54.9 285 56 29 6.6 3.6
36000 -45.4 -49.7 290 59 30 4.6 2.5 | -44.3 -47.7 285 52 27 6.6 3.6
34000 -40.7 -41.3 290 52 27 8.3 4.6 | -40.0 -40.0 285 47 24 7.3 4.0
32000 -35.7 -32.3 290 46 23 8.4 4.6 | -35.7 -32.3 285 41 21 7.3 4.0
30000 -31.9 -25.4 290 35 18 5.9 3.2 | -30.9 -23.6 290 37 19 8.1 4.4
29000 -30.1 -22.2 290 29 15 5.9 3.2 | -28.5 -19.3 290 35 18 8.1 4.4
28000 -28.3 -18.9 285 23 12 6.8 3.7 | -26.1 -15.0 295 33 17 7.3 4.0
27000 -25.9 -14.6 285 21 11 8.3 4.5 | -24.2 -11.6 290 29 15 6.1 3.3
26000 -23.4 -10.1 280 19 10 8.3 4.6 | -22.4 -8.3 285 24 13 6.1 3.3
25000 -20.9 -5.6 275 17 9 8.3 4.6 | -20.5 -4.9 280 20 10 5.9 3.2
24000 -17.9 -0.2 270 15 8 8.0 4.4 | -17.7 0.1 275 18 9 7.9 4.4
23000 -15.5 4.1 265 14 7 8.0 4.4 | -15.4 4.3 275 17 9 7.9 4.4
22000 -13.1 8.4 260 12 6 7.6 4.2 | -13.0 8.6 280 15 8 7.4 4.0
21000 -10.9 12.4 265 12 6 7.1 3.9 | -10.9 12.4 280 13 7 6.8 3.7
20000 -8.8 16.2 270 11 6 7.1 3.9 | -8.9 16.0 285 11 6 6.8 3.7
19500 -7.7 18.1 275 11 5 7.1 3.9 | -7.9 17.8 285 10 5 6.8 3.7
19000 -6.7 19.9 275 10 5 7.0 3.8 | -6.9 19.6 290 9 5 6.8 3.8
18500 -5.6 21.9 275 10 5 7.0 3.8 | -5.9 21.4 295 9 5 6.8 3.7
18000 -4.6 23.7 280 10 5 6.5 3.6 | -4.9 23.2 295 9 5 5.6 3.1
17500 -3.7 25.3 280 10 5 6.1 3.4 | -4.2 24.4 300 10 5 4.8 2.7
17000 -2.8 27.0 280 9 5 6.1 3.3 | -3.6 25.5 300 11 5 5.1 2.8
16500 -2.1 28.2 280 10 5 3.8 2.1 | -3.1 26.4 305 11 6 2.3 1.2
16000 -1.5 29.3 285 10 5 4.2 2.3 | -2.9 26.8 305 12 6 2.9 1.6
15500 -1.0 30.2 290 11 6 3.7 2.1 | -2.4 27.7 305 12 6 7.1 3.9
15000 -0.6 30.9 290 12 6 4.0 2.2 | -1.3 29.7 300 11 6 7.9 4.4
14500 -0.1 31.8 295 13 7 5.6 3.1 | -0.1 31.8 295 11 5 8.7 4.8
14000 0.8 33.4 295 12 6 6.9 3.8 | 1.3 34.3 290 10 5 9.4 5.2
13500 1.7 35.1 290 11 6 7.6 4.2 | 2.7 36.9 290 10 5 9.5 5.2
13000 3.0 37.4 290 11 5 9.4 5.2 | 4.1 39.4 285 9 5 9.7 5.3
12500 4.4 39.9 285 10 5 9.4 5.2 | 5.6 42.1 285 9 5 9.7 5.3
12000 5.8 42.4 285 10 5 9.8 5.4 | 7.0 44.6 280 8 4 9.8 5.4
11500 7.3 45.1 285 9 5 9.8 5.4 | 8.5 47.3 280 8 4 9.9 5.4
11000 8.7 47.7 285 9 5 9.5 5.2 | 9.9 49.8 280 8 4 9.3 5.1
10500 10.1 50.2 280 9 4 9.2 5.0 | 11.4 52.5 275 7 4 10.3 5.6
10250 10.8 51.4 280 9 4 9.3 5.1 | 12.1 53.8 275 7 4 10.1 5.6
10000 11.5 52.7 280 8 4 9.7 5.3 | 12.9 55.2 275 7 4 9.5 5.2
9750 12.2 54.0 280 8 4 9.4 5.1 | 13.6 56.5 275 7 4 9.8 5.4
9500 12.9 55.2 280 8 4 10.4 5.7 | 14.3 57.7 270 7 3 9.2 5.0
9250 13.8 56.8 280 8 4 10.4 5.7 | 15.7 60.3 270 6 3 9.9 5.4
9000 15.2 59.4 275 8 4 9.9 5.4 | 16.4 61.5 270 6 3 9.8 5.4
8750 15.9 60.6 275 8 4 8.6 4.7 | 17.2 63.0 265 6 3 9.4 5.2
8500 16.5 61.7 275 7 4 9.0 5.0 | 17.9 64.2 265 6 3 9.6 5.3
8250 17.3 63.1 275 7 4 10.7 5.9 | 18.6 65.5 265 6 3 10.2 5.6
8000 18.1 64.6 270 7 4 10.7 5.9 | 19.4 66.9 260 5 3 10.2 5.6
7750 18.8 65.8 270 7 3 9.9 5.5 | 20.1 68.2 260 5 3 9.7 5.3
7500 19.5 67.1 270 7 3 9.2 5.0 | 20.8 69.4 260 5 3 9.0 4.9
7250 20.3 68.5 270 6 3 10.3 5.6 | 21.5 70.7 260 5 3 9.6 5.3
7000 21.1 70.0 270 6 3 10.9 6.0 | 22.2 72.0 255 5 2 10.0 5.5
6750 21.9 71.4 265 6 3 10.4 5.7 | 23.0 73.4 255 4 2 10.0 5.5
6500 22.6 72.7 265 6 3 10.5 5.8 | 23.7 74.7 250 4 2 10.5 5.7
6250 23.4 74.1 265 5 3 9.5 5.2 | 24.5 76.1 250 4 2 9.3 5.1
6000 24.1 75.4 265 5 3 12.4 6.8 | 25.1 77.2 250 4 2 9.3 5.1
5750 25.9 78.6 260 5 2 45.5 25.0 | 26.2 79.2 245 3 2 23.8 13.1
5500 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
________________________________________________________________________________
This product is issued once per day, at approximately 730 AM.
It is not continuously monitored nor updated after its initial
issuance.
The information contained herein is based on rawinsonde observation and/or
numerical weather prediction model data taken at the Albuquerque International
Sunport site in Albuquerque, New Mexico at
North Latitude: 35.03806 deg
West Longitude: 106.62194 deg
Elevation: 5298.6 feet (1615 meters)
and may not be representative of other areas, especially along and east of
the Sandia and Manzano Mountains. Note that some elevations in numerical weather
prediction models differ from actual station elevations, which can lead to
data which appear to be below ground. Erroneous data such as these should
not be used.
The content and format of this report as well as the issuance times are subject
to change without prior notice. Comments are welcome and should be directed
to one of the addresses or phone numbers shown at the bottom of this page.
DEFINITIONS:
CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) - An integrated measure of the
energy available for convective development, also known as the positive
area on a thermodynamic diagram. Units are Joules per kilogram. Larger
values are indicative of greater instability and the possibility of
stronger convective activity, including thunderstorms. Values around or
greater than 1000 suggest the possibility of severe weather should
convective activity develop.
CINH (Convective Inhibition) - An integrated measure of the amount of energy
needed to initiate convective activity, also known as the negative area on
a thermodynamic diagram. Units are Joules per kilogram. The more negative
this number, the more energy is required to initiate convection. This
inhibitive energy can be overcome through surface heating, cooling aloft,
lifting mechanisms (orographic, frontal, gravity waves, etc.)
Convective Condensation Level - The height to which an air parcel possessing the
average saturation mixing ratio in the lowest 4000 feet of the airmass,
if heated sufficiently from below, will rise dry adiabatically until it
just becomes saturated. It estimates the base of cumulus clouds that are
produced by surface heating only.
Convection Temperature (ConvectionT) - The surface temperature required to make
the airmass dry adiabatic up to the given level. It can be considered a
"trigger temperature" for that level.
Freezing Level - The height where the temperature is zero degrees Celsius.
Height of Stable Layer - The height (between 12,000 and 18,000 feet above
mean sea level) where the smallest lapse rate exists. The location and
existence of this feature is important in the generation of mountain
waves.
K Index - A measure of stability which combines the temperature difference
between approximately 5,000 and 18,000 feet above the surface, the amount
of moisture at approximately 5,000 feet above the surface, and a measure
of the dryness at approximately 10,000 feet above the surface. Larger
positive numbers indicate more instability and a greater likelihood of
thunderstorm development. One interpretation of K index values regarding
soaring in the western United States is given in WMO Technical Note 158
and is reproduced in the following table:
below -10 no or weak thermals
-10 to 5 dry thermals or 1/8 cumulus with moderate thermals
5 to 15 good soaring conditions
15 to 20 good soaring conditions with occasional showers
20 to 30 excellent soaring conditions, but increasing
probability of showers and thunderstorms
above 30 more than 60 percent probability of thunderstorms
Lapse Rate - The change with height of the temperature. Negative values indicate
inversions.
Lifted Condensation Level - The height to which an air parcel possessing the
average dew point in the lowest 4000 feet of the airmass and the forecast
maximum temperature must be lifted dry adiabatically to attain saturation.
Lifted Index (LI) - The difference between the environmental temperature at a
level approximately 18,000 feet above the surface and the temperature of
an air parcel lifted dry adiabatically from the surface to its lifted
condensation level and then pseudoadiabatically thereafter to this same
level. The parcel's initial temperature is the forecast maximum
temperature and its dew point is the average dew point in the lowest 4000
feet of the airmass. Negative values are indicative of instability with
positive values showing stable conditions.
Lift Rate - An experimental estimate of the strength of thermals. It is
computed the same way as the maximum rate of lift but uses the actual
level rather than the maximum height of thermals in the calculation.
Also, none of the empirical adjustments based on cloudiness and K-index
are applied to these calculations.
Maximum Height of Thermals - The height where the dry adiabat through the
forecast maximum temperature intersects the environmental temperature.
Maximum Rate of Lift - An estimate of the maximum strength of thermals. It
is computed from an empirical formula which combines the expected maximum
height of thermals with the difference in the environmental temperatures
between the maximum height of thermals and the temperature 4,000 feet
above the ground. After this computation, further empirical adjustments
are made based on the value of the K-index and the amount and opacity of
middle and high level cloudiness expected between the time of trigger
temperature and the time of overdevelopment.
Middle/High Clouds - The amount and opacity of middle (altostratus, altocumulus)
or high (cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus) clouds. Broken means that
between 60% and 90% of the sky is covered by the cloud, with overcast
conditions occurring when more than 90% of the sky is covered by the cloud.
Thin implies that the clouds are predominantly transparent, meaning that
some sunlight is reaching the ground, in contrast to opaque which suggests
that little sunlight is reaching the ground.
Potential Height of Wave - The minimum of the following two heights:
1. Level above the height of stable layer (or 14,000 feet if none exists)
where the wind direction changes by 30 degrees or more
2. Level above the height of stable layer (or 14,000 feet if none exists)
where the wind speed no longer increases with height
PVA/NVA - Positive vorticity advection (PVA)/negative vorticity advection (NVA)
on the 500 millibar isobaric surface (approximately 18,000 feet above mean
sea level). Weak PVA has been shown to assist in mountain wave soaring.
Soaring Window - The time between the time the trigger temperature is reached
and the time of overdevelopment.
Thermal Index - The difference between the environmental temperature and the
temperature at a particular level determined by following the dry adiabat
through the forecast maximum temperature up to that level. Negative values
are indicative of thermal lift.
Thermal Soaring Index - An adjective rating (for sailplanes) based on the
computed maximum rate of lift, and the wind speed and middle and high
cloud cover expected during the soaring window (the time of the trigger
temperature and the time of overdevelopment) according to the following:
Maximum rate of lift Adjective Rating
>= 800 fpm Excellent
>= 400 and < 800 fpm Good
>= 200 and < 400 fpm Fair
< 200 fpm Poor
Time of Overdevelopment - The time one or more of the following phenomena,
which essentially shut off thermal lift, is expected to occur:
1. formation of broken to overcast convective cloud cover
2. formation of scattered to numerous downbursts
3. initiation of widespread precipitation
Time of Trigger Temperature - The time the surface temperature is expected to
reach the trigger temperature.
Trigger Temperature - The surface temperature required to make the first 4000
feet of the atmosphere dry adiabatic.
Wave Soaring Index - An empirical, adjective rating (for sailplanes) which
attempts to combine a variety of phenomena important in mountain wave
soaring into a single index number. Objective points are assigned to
these phenomena: wind speed and direction at 14,000 ft MSL, the static
stability in the 12,000-18,000 ft MSL layer, the wind speed gradient above
the stable layer, jet stream location and frontal and upper trough
movements.
042613
Soaring Forecast for Santa Fe NM
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
0708 MDT Sunday September 20 2026
This forecast is for Sunday, September 20, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 71.3 F/21.8 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Excellent
Maximum rate of lift........................ 849 ft/min (4.3 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 15561 ft MSL (9104 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 76.0 F/24.9 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1245 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................. 10019 ft MSL (3562 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Monday 09/21....... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 06:51:10 / 19:04:18 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 12 hr 13 min 8 sec (733 min 8 sec)
Altitude of sun at 12:57:44 MDT... 55.25 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 09/20/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 14075 ft MSL (7618 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 14851 ft MSL (8394 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 15303 ft MSL (8846 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... -0.2
K index......................... +1.6
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 -62.9 -81.2 270 31 16 4.2 2.3 81.9 179.4 34.0 M M
45000 -55.9 -68.6 265 46 24 5.7 3.1 70.4 158.8 29.1 M M
40000 -47.4 -53.3 260 46 24 2.5 1.4 60.4 140.8 24.4 M M
38000 -46.0 -50.8 260 42 22 2.4 1.3 53.8 128.8 20.4 M M
36000 -44.5 -48.1 255 38 20 2.4 1.3 47.9 118.3 16.7 M M
34000 -41.8 -43.2 260 35 18 5.0 2.8 43.4 110.1 13.9 M M
32000 -38.8 -37.8 260 33 17 5.1 2.8 39.7 103.5 11.5 M M
30000 -34.5 -30.1 270 30 15 8.0 4.4 37.6 99.7 10.1 M M
29000 -32.1 -25.8 270 28 14 8.0 4.4 36.9 98.5 9.7 M M
28000 -29.7 -21.5 275 26 14 8.1 4.4 36.4 97.5 9.4 M M
27000 -27.1 -16.8 275 26 13 8.9 4.9 35.9 96.7 9.1 M M
26000 -23.8 -10.8 280 26 13 8.9 4.9 35.5 95.9 9.8 M M
25000 -21.1 -6.0 280 26 13 8.8 4.8 35.3 95.6 8.9 M M
24000 -18.6 -1.5 280 25 13 8.3 4.6 34.7 94.5 8.5 M M
23000 -16.1 3.0 285 25 13 8.3 4.6 34.2 93.6 8.2 M M
22000 -13.6 7.5 290 24 12 7.8 4.3 33.8 92.8 7.9 M M
21000 -11.6 11.1 290 22 11 6.6 3.6 32.7 90.8 7.0 M M
20000 -9.6 14.7 290 19 10 6.6 3.6 31.6 88.8 6.2 M M
19500 -8.6 16.5 290 18 9 6.6 3.6 31.1 87.9 5.8 M M
19000 -7.7 18.1 290 17 9 6.3 3.5 30.5 87.0 5.3 M M
18500 -6.7 19.9 290 16 8 6.3 3.4 29.9 85.9 4.8 M M
18000 -5.8 21.6 290 14 7 5.6 3.1 29.4 84.9 4.3 M M
17500 -5.1 22.8 295 14 7 4.5 2.5 28.5 83.3 3.6 M M
17000 -4.4 24.1 295 15 7 4.6 2.5 27.6 81.7 2.8 M M
16500 -3.9 25.0 295 15 8 3.4 1.9 26.7 80.0 1.9 M M
16000 -3.4 25.9 295 16 8 3.7 2.0 25.6 78.1 0.9 M M
15500 -2.9 26.8 295 16 8 5.3 2.9 24.7 76.4 -0.0 849 4.3
15000 -2.0 28.4 295 17 9 6.3 3.4 24.1 75.4 -0.6 808 4.1
14500 -1.1 30.0 295 17 9 7.0 3.8 23.5 74.4 -1.2 768 3.9
14000 -0.0 32.0 295 17 9 8.3 4.5 23.2 73.8 -1.6 719 3.7
13500 1.2 34.2 300 17 9 8.3 4.6 23.0 73.4 -1.8 668 3.4
13000 2.5 36.5 300 16 8 9.3 5.1 22.9 73.2 -2.0 614 3.1
12500 3.8 38.8 305 16 8 9.3 5.1 22.8 73.0 -2.1 559 2.8
12000 5.2 41.4 305 15 8 9.4 5.1 22.7 72.9 -2.2 503 2.6
11500 6.6 43.9 305 14 7 9.2 5.1 22.7 72.8 -2.3 447 2.3
11000 8.7 47.7 305 12 6 9.4 5.2 22.6 72.7 -2.5 363 1.8
10500 10.1 50.2 305 11 5 7.4 4.1 22.6 72.7 -2.5 306 1.6
10250 10.4 50.7 300 10 5 6.0 3.3 22.3 72.1 -2.9 287 1.5
10000 10.9 51.6 300 9 5 7.5 4.1 22.1 71.7 -3.1 265 1.3
9750 11.5 52.7 295 8 4 7.6 4.2 21.9 71.4 -3.3 242 1.2
9500 11.9 53.4 295 7 4 5.1 2.8 21.7 71.0 -3.6 220 1.1
9250 12.1 53.8 290 7 3 4.0 2.2 21.2 70.2 -4.1 206 1.0
9000 12.5 54.5 290 6 3 5.7 3.1 20.9 69.6 -4.5 189 1.0
8750 12.9 55.2 290 5 3 5.2 2.9 20.5 69.0 -4.9 170 0.9
8500 13.2 55.8 290 4 2 3.7 2.0 20.1 68.3 -5.3 154 0.8
8250 13.3 55.9 300 4 2 2.5 1.4 19.6 67.3 -5.9 142 0.7
8000 13.5 56.3 310 3 2 2.5 1.4 19.1 66.3 -6.5 130 0.7
7750 13.6 56.5 320 3 1 2.2 1.2 18.5 65.3 -7.1 118 0.6
7500 13.7 56.7 335 3 1 2.2 1.2 17.9 64.3 -7.7 107 0.5
7250 13.9 57.0 350 3 1 1.8 1.0 17.4 63.2 -8.3 96 0.5
7000 14.0 57.2 005 3 2 3.0 1.6 16.8 62.2 -9.0 85 0.4
6750 14.1 57.4 010 3 2 -1.7 -0.9 16.2 61.1 -9.6 74 0.4
6500 12.7 54.9 025 3 1 -44.2 -24.2 14.1 57.4 -11.7 108 0.6
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
09/20/2026 at 0900 MDT | 09/20/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... +3.5 LI... +2.8 | CAPE... +100.1 LI... +1.8
CINH... -107.5 K Index... +2.0 | CINH... -116.4 K Index... -0.7
|
Height Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate | Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft | deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -62.8 -81.0 265 29 15 3.8 2.1 | -63.3 -81.9 260 33 17 3.4 1.9
45000 -56.1 -69.0 270 45 23 6.2 3.4 | -57.0 -70.6 270 44 23 6.0 3.3
40000 -47.2 -53.0 270 47 24 1.5 0.8 | -48.4 -55.1 280 53 28 2.0 1.1
38000 -46.4 -51.5 270 40 21 1.4 0.8 | -46.8 -52.2 290 55 28 2.4 1.3
36000 -45.5 -49.9 270 34 17 1.3 0.7 | -45.4 -49.7 295 57 29 2.2 1.2
34000 -42.7 -44.9 270 29 15 5.6 3.1 | -42.5 -44.5 295 43 22 5.4 2.9
32000 -39.3 -38.7 275 26 13 5.7 3.1 | -39.3 -38.7 285 26 13 5.5 3.0
30000 -34.7 -30.5 280 24 12 8.3 4.6 | -34.7 -30.5 275 22 11 8.4 4.6
29000 -32.3 -26.1 280 23 12 8.3 4.6 | -32.1 -25.8 275 22 11 8.4 4.6
28000 -29.8 -21.6 285 23 12 8.5 4.6 | -29.6 -21.3 275 22 11 8.5 4.7
27000 -27.1 -16.8 285 23 12 9.0 5.0 | -27.0 -16.6 275 21 11 8.9 4.9
26000 -24.4 -11.9 285 23 12 9.0 5.0 | -24.3 -11.7 275 20 10 8.9 4.9
25000 -21.0 -5.8 290 24 12 8.9 4.9 | -21.0 -5.8 275 18 9 8.8 4.8
24000 -18.4 -1.1 290 23 12 8.5 4.7 | -18.4 -1.1 275 18 9 8.6 4.7
23000 -15.9 3.4 290 22 11 8.5 4.7 | -15.8 3.6 275 17 9 8.6 4.7
22000 -13.3 8.1 290 21 11 8.0 4.4 | -13.2 8.2 280 16 8 7.9 4.4
21000 -11.2 11.8 290 19 10 7.1 3.9 | -11.1 12.0 280 15 7 7.1 3.9
20000 -9.1 15.6 295 16 8 7.1 3.9 | -9.0 15.8 280 13 7 7.1 3.9
19500 -8.0 17.6 295 15 8 7.2 4.0 | -7.9 17.8 280 12 6 7.1 3.9
19000 -7.1 19.2 295 14 7 5.6 3.1 | -7.0 19.4 275 11 6 6.2 3.4
18500 -6.2 20.8 295 13 7 5.7 3.1 | -6.0 21.2 275 10 5 6.2 3.4
18000 -5.3 22.5 295 12 6 5.1 2.8 | -5.1 22.8 275 9 5 6.0 3.3
17500 -4.7 23.5 295 12 6 4.3 2.4 | -4.2 24.4 275 9 5 5.7 3.2
17000 -4.1 24.6 295 12 6 4.5 2.5 | -3.4 25.9 275 8 4 5.9 3.2
16500 -3.6 25.5 295 12 6 2.3 1.3 | -2.7 27.1 280 9 5 3.7 2.0
16000 -3.3 26.1 295 12 6 2.7 1.5 | -2.2 28.0 280 9 5 4.1 2.2
15500 -2.9 26.8 290 13 7 4.5 2.4 | -1.6 29.1 285 10 5 4.1 2.2
15000 -2.2 28.0 290 14 7 5.3 2.9 | -1.1 30.0 285 12 6 4.3 2.3
14500 -1.6 29.1 290 14 7 6.6 3.6 | -0.6 30.9 285 13 7 5.5 3.0
14000 -0.4 31.3 295 15 8 8.4 4.6 | 0.4 32.7 285 13 7 7.0 3.9
13500 0.8 33.4 295 15 8 8.6 4.7 | 1.3 34.3 285 14 7 7.6 4.2
13000 2.2 36.0 300 15 8 9.7 5.3 | 2.6 36.7 280 14 7 9.4 5.2
12500 3.6 38.5 300 14 7 9.6 5.3 | 3.9 39.0 280 14 7 9.4 5.1
12000 5.0 41.0 300 14 7 9.7 5.3 | 5.3 41.5 285 14 7 9.5 5.2
11500 6.5 43.7 305 13 7 10.1 5.6 | 6.7 44.1 285 13 7 9.2 5.1
11000 8.6 47.5 305 12 6 9.4 5.1 | 8.1 46.6 280 13 7 9.6 5.3
10500 10.0 50.0 305 11 6 8.3 4.6 | 10.2 50.4 285 12 6 8.8 4.8
10250 10.6 51.1 305 10 5 8.0 4.4 | 10.8 51.4 280 12 6 8.6 4.7
10000 11.2 52.2 305 9 5 8.6 4.7 | 11.4 52.5 280 11 6 8.9 4.9
9750 11.8 53.2 305 9 4 8.7 4.8 | 12.1 53.8 280 11 6 9.0 4.9
9500 12.4 54.3 305 8 4 5.6 3.1 | 12.7 54.9 280 10 5 6.3 3.5
9250 12.6 54.7 300 7 4 4.5 2.5 | 13.0 55.4 275 9 5 7.0 3.8
9000 13.1 55.6 300 7 3 6.6 3.6 | 13.7 56.7 275 9 5 9.6 5.3
8750 13.5 56.3 300 6 3 5.7 3.1 | 14.3 57.7 270 8 4 8.9 4.9
8500 13.8 56.8 305 5 3 3.2 1.7 | 15.0 59.0 270 8 4 8.5 4.7
8250 13.9 57.0 310 5 3 2.0 1.1 | 15.5 59.9 265 8 4 8.6 4.7
8000 14.0 57.2 310 5 2 3.3 1.8 | 16.2 61.2 265 7 4 9.6 5.2
7750 14.2 57.6 315 4 2 3.5 1.9 | 16.9 62.4 265 7 4 10.0 5.5
7500 14.4 57.9 315 4 2 3.4 1.9 | 17.7 63.9 260 7 4 10.3 5.6
7250 14.6 58.3 320 4 2 3.3 1.8 | 18.4 65.1 260 7 4 10.5 5.8
7000 14.9 58.8 325 4 2 6.0 3.3 | 19.2 66.6 260 7 3 9.7 5.3
6750 15.5 59.9 320 3 2 12.9 7.1 | 20.0 68.0 260 6 3 14.0 7.7
6500 16.6 61.9 320 3 2 14.6 8.0 | 21.9 71.4 255 6 3 46.7 25.6
09/20/2026 at 1500 MDT | 09/20/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... +1.9 LI... +2.6 | CAPE... +1.1 LI... +2.5
CINH... -17.4 K Index... +12.8 | CINH... -0.1 K Index... +17.8
|
Height Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate | Temperature Wnd WndSpd Lapse Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft | deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -62.5 -80.5 260 37 19 3.4 1.9 | -62.5 -80.5 265 38 20 3.7 2.0
45000 -57.3 -71.1 270 46 24 3.6 2.0 | -57.3 -71.1 275 47 24 3.1 1.7
40000 -51.9 -61.4 285 60 31 4.5 2.5 | -52.4 -62.3 290 58 30 5.9 3.3
38000 -48.9 -56.0 290 61 31 4.5 2.4 | -48.5 -55.3 290 59 30 5.8 3.2
36000 -46.2 -51.2 295 62 32 4.1 2.3 | -45.1 -49.2 285 60 31 5.6 3.1
34000 -41.7 -43.1 295 56 29 8.2 4.5 | -40.7 -41.3 290 53 27 7.6 4.2
32000 -36.8 -34.2 295 48 25 8.1 4.5 | -36.2 -33.2 290 44 23 7.6 4.2
30000 -32.9 -27.2 290 35 18 6.0 3.3 | -32.0 -25.6 295 36 18 6.7 3.7
29000 -31.1 -24.0 285 28 14 6.0 3.3 | -30.0 -22.0 295 31 16 6.7 3.7
28000 -29.3 -20.7 275 21 11 6.7 3.7 | -28.0 -18.4 300 27 14 7.0 3.9
27000 -26.8 -16.2 270 20 10 8.6 4.7 | -25.7 -14.3 295 25 13 7.8 4.3
26000 -24.2 -11.6 260 19 10 8.6 4.7 | -23.4 -10.1 290 22 11 7.8 4.3
25000 -21.0 -5.8 255 18 9 8.6 4.7 | -20.5 -4.9 280 20 10 7.7 4.2
24000 -18.4 -1.1 255 17 9 8.4 4.6 | -18.2 -0.8 275 18 9 7.6 4.2
23000 -15.9 3.4 260 16 8 8.4 4.6 | -15.9 3.4 270 16 8 7.6 4.2
22000 -13.4 7.9 265 15 8 7.9 4.3 | -13.6 7.5 265 15 7 7.4 4.0
21000 -11.2 11.8 265 14 7 7.2 3.9 | -11.5 11.3 270 13 7 6.9 3.8
20000 -9.1 15.6 270 13 7 7.2 4.0 | -9.4 15.1 275 13 6 7.0 3.8
19500 -8.0 17.6 270 13 6 7.3 4.0 | -8.4 16.9 280 12 6 7.3 4.0
19000 -7.1 19.2 275 12 6 5.6 3.1 | -7.6 18.3 280 11 6 4.2 2.3
18500 -6.2 20.8 275 11 6 5.8 3.2 | -6.9 19.6 285 10 5 4.7 2.6
18000 -5.4 22.3 280 11 6 5.4 3.0 | -6.3 20.7 295 9 5 5.4 2.9
17500 -4.7 23.5 285 10 5 5.0 2.8 | -5.5 22.1 310 8 4 5.9 3.3
17000 -4.0 24.8 290 10 5 5.1 2.8 | -4.7 23.5 325 9 4 6.1 3.3
16500 -3.2 26.2 295 11 5 6.1 3.3 | -3.8 25.2 335 9 5 7.1 3.9
16000 -2.4 27.7 300 11 6 6.1 3.3 | -2.8 27.0 340 11 6 7.1 3.9
15500 -1.5 29.3 305 12 6 6.3 3.5 | -1.8 28.8 340 12 6 7.9 4.3
15000 -0.6 30.9 305 12 6 6.5 3.5 | -0.5 31.1 335 12 6 8.2 4.5
14500 0.2 32.4 305 13 7 6.9 3.8 | 0.7 33.3 330 12 6 8.5 4.7
14000 1.3 34.3 295 13 6 7.6 4.2 | 2.0 35.6 320 12 6 9.0 5.0
13500 2.4 36.3 290 13 6 7.9 4.3 | 3.3 37.9 315 12 6 9.1 5.0
13000 3.7 38.7 285 13 6 9.5 5.2 | 4.7 40.5 305 12 6 9.6 5.3
12500 5.1 41.2 280 13 6 9.4 5.2 | 6.2 43.2 300 13 6 9.6 5.2
12000 6.5 43.7 280 13 6 9.9 5.4 | 7.6 45.7 295 13 7 9.4 5.2
11500 8.0 46.4 275 13 7 9.2 5.1 | 9.0 48.2 295 13 7 9.6 5.3
11000 10.0 50.0 270 13 7 9.5 5.2 | 11.1 52.0 285 14 7 9.6 5.3
10500 11.5 52.7 270 13 7 9.7 5.3 | 12.6 54.7 285 14 7 9.2 5.0
10250 12.2 54.0 270 13 7 9.7 5.3 | 13.3 55.9 280 14 7 9.2 5.1
10000 12.9 55.2 265 13 7 9.5 5.2 | 14.0 57.2 280 14 7 9.9 5.4
9750 13.6 56.5 265 13 7 9.3 5.1 | 14.7 58.5 280 15 8 9.5 5.2
9500 14.3 57.7 265 13 7 10.2 5.6 | 15.4 59.7 280 15 8 10.3 5.6
9250 15.1 59.2 260 13 7 10.3 5.6 | 16.2 61.2 275 15 8 10.0 5.5
9000 15.8 60.4 260 14 7 9.4 5.2 | 16.9 62.4 275 15 8 9.1 5.0
8750 16.5 61.7 260 14 7 9.7 5.3 | 17.6 63.7 275 15 8 9.2 5.1
8500 17.3 63.1 255 14 7 9.7 5.3 | 18.3 64.9 275 15 8 9.8 5.4
8250 18.0 64.4 255 14 7 9.9 5.4 | 19.0 66.2 270 15 8 10.1 5.5
8000 18.7 65.7 255 14 7 10.0 5.5 | 19.7 67.5 270 15 8 9.5 5.2
7750 19.5 67.1 250 14 7 10.2 5.6 | 20.4 68.7 270 15 8 9.5 5.2
7500 20.2 68.4 250 14 7 10.4 5.7 | 21.2 70.2 270 15 8 9.8 5.4
7250 21.0 69.8 250 14 7 10.9 6.0 | 21.9 71.4 265 15 8 10.0 5.5
7000 21.8 71.2 245 14 7 9.1 5.0 | 22.6 72.7 265 14 7 8.9 4.9
6750 22.5 72.5 245 13 7 13.1 7.2 | 23.2 73.8 265 13 7 8.1 4.4
6500 24.7 76.5 240 12 6 58.7 32.2 | 23.9 75.0 260 11 6 15.7 8.6
________________________________________________________________________________
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.
042613
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