A major winter storm will continue to bring blizzard conditions, heavy snowfall, icing, and strong winds through Monday across the Upper Midwest and Upper Great Lakes. A line of storms will be capable of producing widespread damaging winds, tornadoes, and some large hail from the Mid-South to the Ohio Valley and the Southeast through tonight, moving into the Mid-Atlantic Monday. Read More >
This page has a new URL. Please update your bookmarks.
Click on an element below to expand that portion of the web page
Currently there is no Airport Weather Warning in effect for the Albuquerque International Sunport
| Infrared | Visible | GeoColor |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Infrared - This image is taken in the infrared band of light and show relative warmth of objects. Colder objects are brighter and warmer objects are darker. Lower layers of clouds, generally warmer and lower in altitude, are colored gray. Colder and generally higher clouds tops are highlighted in colors. Infrared imagery is useful for determining cloud features both at day and night. |
Visible - This image is taken in visible light, or how the human eye would see from the satellite. Sunrise and sunset can be tracked in this image. However, once the sun sets, visible imagery is no longer useful. |
GeoColor - is a multispectral product composed of True Color (using a simulated green component) during daytime, and an Infrared product that uses bands 7 and 13 at night. During the day, the imagery looks approximately as it would when viewed with human eyes from space. At night, the blue colors represent liquid water clouds such as fog and low stratus, while gray to white indicate higher ice clouds, and the city lights can also be seen. |
| Regional Radar Mosaic Sectors Loops (click image) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Farmington (KFMN) | Gallup (KGUP) | Santa Fe (KSAF) | Las Vegas (KLVS) | Tucumcari (KTCC) | Cannon AFB (KCVS) | Roswell (KROW) |
Latest Upper Air Sounding from Albuquerque (Weather Balloon Data issued twice daily) |
Forecast Soundings for Albuquerque (Model Projections) |
Albuquerque (KABX) Radar Velocity Azimuth Display Wind Profile (Observed) |
Albuquerque Vertical Wind Profile (Forecast from Rapid Refresh Model)Lowest 2000 ft Above Ground Level Vertical Wind Profile (for lowest 2000 ft) |
Albuquerque Vertical Wind Profiler at Double Eagle Airport (Real-time observations)Note: The Wind Profiler is moved to Balloon Fiesta Park during Balloon Fiesta Double Eagle (Albuquerque) Vertical Wind Profiler |
|
 Map of Surface Observations (Including Winds) Once the map is loaded, click on an observation site for more details. |
|
Soaring Forecast for Moriarty NM
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
0719 MDT Tuesday March 17 2026
This forecast is for Tuesday, March 17, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 67.1 F/19.5 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Good
Maximum rate of lift........................ 563 ft/min (2.9 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 13250 ft MSL (6913 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 73.0 F/23.2 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1300 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................. 10461 ft MSL (4123 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Wednesday 03/18.... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 07:11:17 / 19:13:10 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 12 hr 1 min 54 sec (721 min 54 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:12:14 MDT... 53.79 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 03/17/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 14103 ft MSL (7766 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 21828 ft MSL (15491 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 18902 ft MSL (12564 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... +5.1
K index......................... +3.2
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 -67.3 -89.1 360 63 32 0.4 0.2 79.1 174.3 32.9 M M
45000 -65.5 -85.9 360 88 45 4.6 2.5 58.0 136.5 22.1 M M
40000 -58.8 -73.8 005 92 47 5.8 3.2 46.2 115.2 15.8 M M
38000 -54.0 -65.2 005 89 46 8.0 4.4 44.2 111.6 14.8 M M
36000 -49.2 -56.6 005 85 44 8.0 4.4 42.9 109.3 14.3 M M
34000 -44.7 -48.5 005 77 40 7.3 4.0 41.1 106.0 13.3 M M
32000 -40.3 -40.5 005 66 34 7.3 4.0 39.1 102.4 12.2 M M
30000 -35.3 -31.5 355 57 29 7.7 4.2 37.2 98.9 11.0 M M
29000 -33.0 -27.4 355 55 28 7.8 4.3 36.4 97.5 10.5 M M
28000 -30.6 -23.1 350 53 27 7.7 4.2 35.7 96.3 10.1 M M
27000 -28.3 -18.9 345 51 26 8.0 4.4 35.0 95.0 9.7 M M
26000 -25.9 -14.6 350 49 25 8.0 4.4 34.3 93.7 9.2 M M
25000 -23.5 -10.3 350 48 24 8.0 4.4 33.7 92.7 8.8 M M
24000 -21.2 -6.2 350 45 23 7.8 4.3 33.1 91.5 8.3 M M
23000 -18.9 -2.0 350 42 22 7.8 4.3 32.3 90.2 7.8 M M
22000 -16.5 2.3 350 39 20 7.8 4.3 31.7 89.0 7.4 M M
21000 -14.4 6.1 350 36 19 6.9 3.8 30.8 87.5 6.7 M M
20000 -12.3 9.9 350 33 17 6.9 3.8 29.8 85.6 5.8 M M
19500 -11.3 11.7 350 32 17 6.9 3.8 29.3 84.8 5.4 M M
19000 -10.3 13.5 350 31 16 6.9 3.8 28.9 84.0 5.1 M M
18500 -9.3 15.3 350 30 15 6.4 3.5 28.3 83.0 4.6 M M
18000 -7.9 17.8 345 29 15 6.5 3.6 27.5 81.5 3.9 M M
17500 -6.9 19.6 345 28 14 6.7 3.7 27.0 80.5 3.4 M M
17000 -5.9 21.4 345 27 14 6.7 3.7 26.5 79.6 3.0 M M
16500 -4.9 23.2 340 27 14 6.9 3.8 26.0 78.7 2.5 M M
16000 -3.9 25.0 340 26 14 6.9 3.8 25.5 77.9 2.1 M M
15500 -2.9 26.8 335 26 13 7.0 3.9 25.0 77.1 1.7 M M
15000 -1.8 28.8 335 25 13 7.2 3.9 24.6 76.3 1.3 M M
14500 -0.7 30.7 335 25 13 7.1 3.9 24.2 75.5 1.0 M M
14000 0.3 32.5 330 24 12 7.0 3.9 23.7 74.7 0.6 M M
13500 1.4 34.5 330 23 12 7.1 3.9 23.3 73.9 0.2 M M
13000 2.4 36.3 325 22 11 6.8 3.8 22.9 73.1 -0.2 537 2.7
12500 3.5 38.3 325 21 11 6.9 3.8 22.4 72.3 -0.7 491 2.5
12000 4.5 40.1 320 20 10 6.4 3.5 21.9 71.4 -1.1 446 2.3
11500 5.4 41.7 315 20 10 6.4 3.5 21.4 70.5 -1.7 403 2.0
11000 6.3 43.3 315 20 10 5.4 2.9 20.7 69.3 -2.3 362 1.8
10500 7.1 44.8 315 21 11 5.8 3.2 20.1 68.1 -2.9 324 1.6
10250 7.5 45.5 310 21 11 4.0 2.2 19.7 67.5 -3.3 304 1.5
10000 7.6 45.7 310 21 11 2.0 1.1 19.2 66.5 -3.8 292 1.5
9750 7.8 46.0 310 22 11 2.1 1.2 18.6 65.4 -4.4 280 1.4
9500 7.9 46.2 310 22 11 2.5 1.4 18.0 64.4 -5.0 268 1.4
9250 8.1 46.6 310 22 11 0.7 0.4 17.4 63.3 -5.6 257 1.3
9000 8.0 46.4 310 22 12 -2.3 -1.3 16.6 61.8 -6.5 252 1.3
8750 7.8 46.0 305 22 12 -2.7 -1.5 15.6 60.1 -7.4 252 1.3
8500 7.6 45.7 305 22 12 -2.5 -1.4 14.7 58.4 -8.4 251 1.3
8250 7.3 45.1 305 22 12 -3.0 -1.7 13.7 56.7 -9.3 250 1.3
8000 7.1 44.8 305 21 11 -3.4 -1.9 12.7 54.9 -10.4 250 1.3
7750 6.8 44.2 305 20 10 -2.8 -1.5 11.7 53.1 -11.4 250 1.3
7500 6.6 43.9 300 19 10 -2.0 -1.1 10.8 51.5 -12.3 248 1.3
7250 6.6 43.9 300 17 9 -0.1 -0.1 10.0 50.0 -13.2 244 1.2
7000 6.6 43.9 300 14 7 0.5 0.3 9.3 48.7 -13.9 235 1.2
6750 6.6 43.9 300 11 6 1.6 0.9 8.6 47.5 -14.6 226 1.1
6500 6.7 44.1 295 9 5 -4.9 -2.7 7.9 46.2 -15.4 219 1.1
6250 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
03/17/2026 at 0900 MDT | 03/17/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +5.0 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +5.0
CINH... -0.4 K Index... +7.2 | CINH... 0.0 K Index... +5.7
|
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 -67.4 -89.3 355 57 29 0.0 0.0 | -67.6 -89.7 350 43 22 0.6 0.3
45000 -66.1 -87.0 355 79 41 4.9 2.7 | -65.6 -86.1 355 64 33 4.9 2.7
40000 -58.7 -73.7 360 84 43 6.3 3.4 | -58.3 -72.9 350 73 38 6.6 3.6
38000 -54.1 -65.4 360 77 39 7.7 4.2 | -53.5 -64.3 350 69 36 7.9 4.4
36000 -49.5 -57.1 360 69 35 7.7 4.2 | -48.1 -54.6 350 65 33 8.0 4.4
34000 -44.0 -47.2 355 61 31 8.4 4.6 | -43.2 -45.8 350 57 29 8.3 4.5
32000 -38.9 -38.0 355 54 28 8.4 4.6 | -38.2 -36.8 345 49 25 8.3 4.6
30000 -33.8 -28.8 350 49 25 8.6 4.7 | -33.2 -27.8 340 46 24 8.5 4.7
29000 -31.2 -24.2 350 47 24 8.6 4.7 | -30.6 -23.1 340 46 24 8.6 4.7
28000 -28.7 -19.7 350 45 23 8.8 4.8 | -28.1 -18.6 340 45 23 8.7 4.8
27000 -26.5 -15.7 350 42 22 6.7 3.7 | -25.8 -14.4 340 44 23 7.2 4.0
26000 -24.5 -12.1 350 39 20 6.8 3.7 | -23.6 -10.5 340 42 22 7.3 4.0
25000 -22.5 -8.5 345 35 18 6.8 3.7 | -21.5 -6.7 340 40 21 7.3 4.0
24000 -20.4 -4.7 345 32 17 7.4 4.0 | -19.3 -2.7 340 37 19 7.2 4.0
23000 -18.2 -0.8 345 31 16 7.4 4.1 | -17.1 1.2 335 32 17 7.2 4.0
22000 -16.0 3.2 340 29 15 7.4 4.1 | -15.0 5.0 330 28 15 7.2 4.0
21000 -13.8 7.2 340 27 14 7.3 4.0 | -12.9 8.8 325 26 13 6.9 3.8
20000 -11.7 10.9 335 26 13 7.3 4.0 | -10.3 13.5 330 23 12 6.9 3.8
19500 -10.0 14.0 335 25 13 7.3 4.0 | -9.3 15.3 330 23 12 7.0 3.8
19000 -9.0 15.8 335 24 13 7.2 4.0 | -8.3 17.1 335 22 11 6.9 3.8
18500 -7.9 17.8 335 24 12 7.2 4.0 | -7.3 18.9 335 21 11 6.9 3.8
18000 -6.8 19.8 330 23 12 7.2 3.9 | -6.3 20.7 335 21 11 7.0 3.8
17500 -5.8 21.6 330 23 12 6.9 3.8 | -5.2 22.6 335 20 10 7.4 4.1
17000 -4.8 23.4 330 22 11 6.9 3.8 | -4.1 24.6 335 20 10 7.4 4.1
16500 -3.8 25.2 325 21 11 6.7 3.7 | -3.0 26.6 335 19 10 7.1 3.9
16000 -2.8 27.0 325 21 11 6.7 3.7 | -2.0 28.4 335 19 10 7.0 3.8
15500 -1.8 28.8 320 20 10 6.8 3.8 | -0.9 30.4 330 19 10 6.8 3.8
15000 -0.7 30.7 320 20 10 7.0 3.8 | 0.0 32.0 330 19 10 6.6 3.6
14500 0.3 32.5 315 20 10 7.0 3.8 | 1.0 33.8 330 19 10 6.6 3.6
14000 1.3 34.3 315 20 10 6.9 3.8 | 1.9 35.4 330 19 10 5.8 3.2
13500 2.4 36.3 315 21 11 7.1 3.9 | 2.8 37.0 330 19 10 6.0 3.3
13000 3.3 37.9 315 22 11 5.6 3.0 | 3.6 38.5 330 20 10 5.3 2.9
12500 4.1 39.4 315 24 12 5.8 3.2 | 4.4 39.9 330 20 10 5.5 3.0
12000 4.9 40.8 315 26 13 4.8 2.6 | 5.1 41.2 330 21 11 3.5 1.9
11500 5.6 42.1 315 28 14 4.9 2.7 | 5.6 42.1 330 22 11 3.6 2.0
11000 6.2 43.2 320 29 15 3.0 1.6 | 5.8 42.4 330 23 12 -1.0 -0.5
10500 6.6 43.9 320 30 16 3.4 1.9 | 5.6 42.1 325 23 12 -1.5 -0.8
10250 6.8 44.2 320 31 16 0.6 0.3 | 5.4 41.7 320 23 12 -0.7 -0.4
10000 6.7 44.1 315 30 16 -2.5 -1.4 | 5.5 41.9 315 23 12 1.0 0.5
9750 6.5 43.7 315 30 15 -2.1 -1.1 | 5.5 41.9 315 22 12 1.7 0.9
9500 6.4 43.5 315 29 15 -2.0 -1.1 | 5.6 42.1 310 22 12 0.5 0.3
9250 6.2 43.2 315 29 15 -2.7 -1.5 | 5.7 42.3 305 22 12 4.6 2.5
9000 5.9 42.6 310 27 14 -3.4 -1.8 | 6.3 43.3 305 23 12 8.8 4.9
8750 5.7 42.3 310 25 13 -2.9 -1.6 | 6.9 44.4 305 23 12 7.5 4.1
8500 5.5 41.9 305 23 12 -3.0 -1.7 | 7.5 45.5 300 23 12 7.4 4.1
8250 5.3 41.5 305 22 11 -1.2 -0.7 | 8.1 46.6 300 23 12 8.6 4.7
8000 5.3 41.5 300 20 10 0.6 0.3 | 8.8 47.8 300 23 12 9.6 5.3
7750 5.4 41.7 300 18 9 0.9 0.5 | 9.5 49.1 300 23 12 8.9 4.9
7500 5.5 41.9 295 16 8 3.2 1.8 | 10.1 50.2 300 23 12 9.3 5.1
7250 5.9 42.6 295 14 7 6.8 3.7 | 10.9 51.6 295 23 12 10.3 5.7
7000 6.5 43.7 290 13 7 8.3 4.5 | 11.7 53.1 295 23 12 11.1 6.1
6750 7.0 44.6 290 12 6 7.3 4.0 | 12.5 54.5 295 22 11 9.7 5.3
6500 7.6 45.7 290 11 6 8.7 4.8 | 13.3 55.9 295 22 11 15.1 8.3
6250 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
03/17/2026 at 1500 MDT | 03/17/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +5.8 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +6.5
CINH... 0.0 K Index... +1.6 | CINH... -0.0 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 -67.7 -89.9 345 48 25 1.0 0.6 | -68.1 -90.6 345 48 25 2.4 1.3
45000 -64.9 -84.8 345 59 30 5.3 2.9 | -64.1 -83.4 345 54 28 3.9 2.2
40000 -56.9 -70.4 345 66 34 6.4 3.5 | -58.2 -72.8 350 60 31 6.0 3.3
38000 -52.7 -62.9 345 69 36 7.1 3.9 | -53.0 -63.4 350 59 30 7.7 4.2
36000 -47.9 -54.2 345 72 37 7.1 3.9 | -48.4 -55.1 350 59 30 7.7 4.2
34000 -43.3 -45.9 345 67 34 7.8 4.3 | -43.5 -46.3 350 58 30 8.2 4.5
32000 -38.6 -37.5 340 58 30 7.8 4.3 | -38.6 -37.5 340 57 29 8.2 4.5
30000 -33.6 -28.5 340 56 29 8.5 4.7 | -33.6 -28.5 340 59 31 8.4 4.6
29000 -31.1 -24.0 340 57 29 8.5 4.7 | -31.1 -24.0 340 61 31 8.4 4.6
28000 -28.5 -19.3 340 58 30 8.5 4.7 | -28.6 -19.5 335 62 32 8.4 4.6
27000 -26.0 -14.8 345 58 30 8.2 4.5 | -26.2 -15.2 340 62 32 8.1 4.4
26000 -23.6 -10.5 345 59 30 8.2 4.5 | -23.7 -10.7 340 62 32 8.1 4.4
25000 -21.1 -6.0 350 59 30 8.2 4.5 | -21.3 -6.3 340 62 32 8.1 4.4
24000 -18.7 -1.7 350 56 29 7.8 4.3 | -18.9 -2.0 340 60 31 7.9 4.3
23000 -16.3 2.7 345 51 26 7.8 4.3 | -16.6 2.1 345 57 29 7.9 4.3
22000 -14.0 6.8 345 46 24 7.9 4.3 | -14.2 6.4 345 54 28 7.9 4.3
21000 -11.9 10.6 340 42 22 6.8 3.7 | -11.5 11.3 345 48 25 7.2 3.9
20000 -9.4 15.1 335 38 20 6.8 3.7 | -9.3 15.3 345 43 22 7.2 3.9
19500 -8.4 16.9 330 37 19 6.9 3.8 | -8.3 17.1 345 40 21 7.2 3.9
19000 -7.4 18.7 330 36 18 6.7 3.7 | -7.2 19.0 345 37 19 7.1 3.9
18500 -6.4 20.5 325 34 18 6.6 3.6 | -6.2 20.8 345 36 18 7.1 3.9
18000 -5.4 22.3 325 33 17 6.7 3.7 | -5.1 22.8 345 34 17 7.1 3.9
17500 -4.5 23.9 325 32 16 6.6 3.6 | -4.1 24.6 345 32 17 7.0 3.8
17000 -3.5 25.7 330 30 16 6.6 3.6 | -3.1 26.4 345 31 16 7.1 3.9
16500 -2.5 27.5 330 29 15 6.9 3.8 | -2.0 28.4 340 30 15 6.6 3.6
16000 -1.4 29.5 335 27 14 6.9 3.8 | -1.1 30.0 340 29 15 6.5 3.6
15500 -0.4 31.3 335 26 14 6.8 3.7 | -0.1 31.8 340 28 14 5.9 3.2
15000 0.6 33.1 340 26 13 6.6 3.6 | 0.6 33.1 340 27 14 5.0 2.8
14500 1.6 34.9 340 25 13 6.6 3.6 | 1.4 34.5 335 26 14 5.0 2.8
14000 2.6 36.7 340 24 12 6.2 3.4 | 2.1 35.8 335 26 13 5.5 3.0
13500 3.5 38.3 340 24 12 6.2 3.4 | 2.9 37.2 335 25 13 5.4 3.0
13000 4.4 39.9 340 23 12 6.1 3.4 | 3.8 38.8 335 24 12 5.6 3.1
12500 5.3 41.5 340 22 12 6.3 3.5 | 4.6 40.3 335 23 12 5.6 3.1
12000 6.0 42.8 335 22 11 4.0 2.2 | 5.4 41.7 335 22 12 5.9 3.2
11500 6.5 43.7 330 21 11 3.4 1.9 | 6.2 43.2 335 21 11 5.6 3.1
11000 6.8 44.2 325 21 11 2.4 1.3 | 7.1 44.8 335 21 11 6.9 3.8
10500 7.2 45.0 320 20 10 3.0 1.6 | 8.2 46.8 330 21 11 7.2 3.9
10250 7.4 45.3 315 20 10 2.8 1.6 | 8.7 47.7 325 21 11 7.6 4.1
10000 7.7 45.9 310 20 10 6.0 3.3 | 9.3 48.7 325 22 11 8.2 4.5
9750 8.3 46.9 310 20 10 8.7 4.8 | 9.9 49.8 325 22 11 8.6 4.7
9500 8.9 48.0 310 21 11 7.5 4.1 | 10.6 51.1 320 22 12 7.9 4.3
9250 9.5 49.1 305 21 11 9.7 5.3 | 11.2 52.2 320 23 12 10.4 5.7
9000 10.3 50.5 305 21 11 9.9 5.4 | 12.1 53.8 315 23 12 10.4 5.7
8750 10.9 51.6 305 21 11 8.2 4.5 | 12.7 54.9 315 23 12 8.0 4.4
8500 11.5 52.7 300 21 11 8.3 4.6 | 13.3 55.9 315 23 12 8.3 4.6
8250 12.2 54.0 300 22 11 9.2 5.1 | 14.0 57.2 315 24 12 9.3 5.1
8000 12.9 55.2 300 22 11 10.0 5.5 | 14.7 58.5 310 24 12 10.3 5.7
7750 13.6 56.5 300 22 11 9.1 5.0 | 15.5 59.9 310 24 12 9.5 5.2
7500 14.3 57.7 300 22 11 9.0 5.0 | 16.2 61.2 310 24 12 9.3 5.1
7250 15.0 59.0 300 22 11 10.6 5.8 | 16.9 62.4 310 23 12 10.1 5.5
7000 15.9 60.6 295 21 11 12.1 6.6 | 17.7 63.9 310 22 12 10.7 5.9
6750 16.7 62.1 295 21 11 9.9 5.4 | 18.4 65.1 310 22 11 9.6 5.3
6500 17.5 63.5 295 20 10 14.6 8.0 | 19.1 66.4 305 20 10 9.4 5.1
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
0719 MDT Tuesday March 17 2026
This forecast is for Tuesday, March 17, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 63.3 F/17.4 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Good
Maximum rate of lift........................ 440 ft/min (2.2 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 12620 ft MSL (6937 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 76.0 F/24.9 C
Time of trigger temperature.................... 1230 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................. 10823 ft MSL (5140 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Wednesday 03/18.... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 07:13:46 / 19:15:40 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 12 hr 1 min 53 sec (721 min 53 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:14:43 MDT... 53.68 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 03/17/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 14113 ft MSL (8430 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 21534 ft MSL (15851 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 18362 ft MSL (12678 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... +5.5
K index......................... +4.1
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 -67.3 -89.1 360 61 31 -0.0 -0.0 81.4 178.6 33.1 M M
45000 -66.4 -87.5 360 81 42 4.8 2.6 60.1 140.1 22.1 M M
40000 -58.7 -73.7 005 85 44 6.6 3.6 48.3 119.0 15.9 M M
38000 -54.0 -65.2 005 80 41 7.8 4.3 46.2 115.1 14.9 M M
36000 -49.3 -56.7 005 75 39 7.8 4.3 44.7 112.4 14.2 M M
34000 -44.4 -47.9 005 69 36 8.3 4.5 43.3 109.9 13.6 M M
32000 -39.5 -39.1 005 63 33 8.3 4.5 42.1 107.8 13.1 M M
30000 -34.7 -30.5 360 57 29 7.8 4.3 40.7 105.2 12.3 M M
29000 -32.4 -26.3 355 54 28 7.8 4.3 39.9 103.8 11.9 M M
28000 -30.0 -22.0 350 52 27 7.8 4.3 39.3 102.7 11.5 M M
27000 -27.1 -16.8 345 49 25 7.6 4.2 38.2 100.8 10.8 M M
26000 -24.9 -12.8 345 47 24 7.7 4.2 37.4 99.3 10.3 M M
25000 -22.6 -8.7 345 45 23 7.7 4.2 36.7 98.1 9.8 M M
24000 -20.3 -4.5 345 43 22 7.6 4.2 35.9 96.7 9.3 M M
23000 -18.0 -0.4 345 42 21 7.6 4.2 35.1 95.2 8.7 M M
22000 -15.7 3.7 340 40 20 7.7 4.2 34.4 94.0 8.2 M M
21000 -13.7 7.3 340 38 19 6.5 3.6 33.4 92.1 7.4 M M
20000 -11.8 10.8 340 36 18 6.5 3.6 32.2 90.0 6.5 M M
19500 -10.8 12.6 340 35 18 6.6 3.6 31.7 89.1 6.0 M M
19000 -9.8 14.4 340 34 17 6.5 3.6 31.2 88.2 5.6 M M
18500 -8.9 16.0 340 33 17 6.4 3.5 30.6 87.1 5.1 M M
18000 -8.0 17.6 340 32 17 6.4 3.5 30.0 86.1 4.6 M M
17500 -7.0 19.4 340 31 16 6.5 3.6 29.5 85.0 4.1 M M
17000 -6.0 21.2 340 30 16 6.5 3.6 28.9 84.0 3.6 M M
16500 -5.1 22.8 335 29 15 6.6 3.6 28.4 83.1 3.2 M M
16000 -4.1 24.6 335 28 14 6.7 3.7 27.9 82.1 2.7 M M
15500 -3.1 26.4 330 26 13 6.7 3.7 27.4 81.2 2.3 M M
15000 -2.0 28.4 325 24 12 6.9 3.8 26.9 80.4 1.9 M M
14500 -1.0 30.2 320 22 11 6.9 3.8 26.4 79.5 1.5 M M
14000 0.1 32.2 315 21 11 7.3 4.0 26.0 78.7 1.1 M M
13500 1.2 34.2 315 19 10 7.3 4.0 25.6 78.0 0.7 M M
13000 2.3 36.1 310 18 9 7.1 3.9 25.2 77.3 0.4 M M
12500 3.4 38.1 305 18 9 7.0 3.9 24.7 76.5 -0.0 436 2.2
12000 4.4 39.9 305 18 9 5.5 3.0 24.2 75.6 -0.5 391 2.0
11500 5.1 41.2 305 19 10 4.9 2.7 23.4 74.2 -1.2 355 1.8
11000 5.7 42.3 305 20 10 1.7 0.9 22.6 72.7 -2.1 322 1.6
10500 5.6 42.1 315 23 12 0.3 0.2 21.0 69.8 -3.7 310 1.6
10250 5.6 42.1 315 24 12 1.8 1.0 20.3 68.5 -4.4 302 1.5
10000 5.7 42.3 315 25 13 -0.7 -0.4 19.6 67.3 -5.0 292 1.5
9750 5.3 41.5 315 26 13 -2.7 -1.5 17.7 63.8 -7.0 290 1.5
9500 5.1 41.2 320 26 14 -2.1 -1.2 16.7 62.1 -7.9 289 1.5
9250 5.0 41.0 320 27 14 -0.2 -0.1 15.9 60.5 -8.8 285 1.4
9000 5.0 41.0 320 26 14 0.9 0.5 15.1 59.2 -9.5 277 1.4
8750 5.0 41.0 315 25 13 -1.0 -0.6 14.4 57.9 -10.3 269 1.4
8500 5.1 41.2 315 24 13 5.5 3.0 13.7 56.6 -11.0 260 1.3
8250 5.8 42.4 315 21 11 8.1 4.4 13.6 56.6 -11.0 232 1.2
8000 6.1 43.0 315 19 10 3.5 1.9 13.2 55.8 -11.5 214 1.1
7750 6.4 43.5 310 17 9 4.6 2.5 12.8 55.1 -11.9 197 1.0
7500 6.8 44.2 310 15 8 6.1 3.3 12.5 54.4 -12.3 178 0.9
7250 7.3 45.1 305 12 6 6.1 3.4 12.2 54.0 -12.5 155 0.8
7000 7.7 45.9 305 10 5 5.0 2.7 11.9 53.4 -12.9 136 0.7
6750 8.1 46.6 300 7 4 4.4 2.4 11.5 52.7 -13.3 117 0.6
6500 8.3 46.9 290 5 3 1.7 1.0 11.0 51.8 -13.8 102 0.5
6250 8.5 47.3 275 4 2 4.1 2.2 10.4 50.8 -14.4 90 0.5
6000 8.8 47.8 255 3 2 -0.5 -0.3 10.0 50.0 -14.9 74 0.4
5750 7.0 44.6 235 3 2 -65.0 -35.6 7.4 45.3 -17.5 122 0.6
5500 M M M M M M M M M M M M
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
03/17/2026 at 0900 MDT | 03/17/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +6.0 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +7.6
CINH... -0.4 K Index... +6.8 | CINH... 0.0 K Index... +2.8
|
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 -66.8 -88.2 355 53 28 -0.6 -0.3 | -67.6 -89.7 345 48 25 1.0 0.6
45000 -66.3 -87.3 355 72 37 5.1 2.8 | -65.2 -85.4 350 60 31 4.5 2.4
40000 -58.6 -73.5 355 79 41 6.5 3.5 | -58.4 -73.1 345 71 36 6.6 3.6
38000 -53.9 -65.0 355 71 37 7.8 4.3 | -53.0 -63.4 350 68 35 8.1 4.5
36000 -48.7 -55.7 355 63 32 7.8 4.3 | -48.1 -54.6 350 66 34 8.1 4.5
34000 -43.7 -46.7 355 57 29 8.6 4.7 | -43.1 -45.6 350 60 31 8.3 4.6
32000 -38.5 -37.3 350 52 27 8.6 4.7 | -38.1 -36.6 345 53 27 8.3 4.6
30000 -33.4 -28.1 350 47 24 8.5 4.7 | -33.1 -27.6 345 48 25 8.4 4.6
29000 -30.9 -23.6 350 45 23 8.5 4.7 | -30.6 -23.1 340 47 24 8.4 4.6
28000 -28.3 -18.9 345 43 22 8.6 4.7 | -28.1 -18.6 340 45 23 8.6 4.7
27000 -26.1 -15.0 345 41 21 7.2 3.9 | -25.8 -14.4 340 43 22 7.6 4.1
26000 -23.9 -11.0 345 38 20 7.2 4.0 | -23.5 -10.3 340 42 21 7.6 4.2
25000 -21.8 -7.2 345 35 18 7.2 4.0 | -21.3 -6.3 345 40 21 7.6 4.2
24000 -19.7 -3.5 345 33 17 7.0 3.9 | -18.5 -1.3 345 38 19 7.5 4.1
23000 -17.1 1.2 340 31 16 7.1 3.9 | -16.2 2.8 345 36 18 7.5 4.1
22000 -15.0 5.0 340 29 15 7.1 3.9 | -14.0 6.8 345 34 17 7.5 4.1
21000 -13.0 8.6 335 29 15 6.6 3.6 | -11.8 10.8 340 32 16 7.2 4.0
20000 -11.1 12.0 335 28 14 6.6 3.6 | -9.7 14.5 340 30 16 7.3 4.0
19500 -10.1 13.8 335 28 14 6.6 3.6 | -8.6 16.5 340 29 15 7.3 4.0
19000 -9.1 15.6 335 28 14 6.7 3.7 | -7.5 18.5 335 29 15 6.7 3.7
18500 -8.1 17.4 330 27 14 6.7 3.7 | -6.6 20.1 335 28 14 6.5 3.5
18000 -7.1 19.2 330 27 14 6.7 3.7 | -5.7 21.7 335 27 14 6.5 3.5
17500 -6.2 20.8 330 27 14 6.6 3.6 | -4.8 23.4 335 27 14 6.0 3.3
17000 -5.2 22.6 330 27 14 6.6 3.6 | -3.9 25.0 335 26 13 6.0 3.3
16500 -4.2 24.4 330 26 14 6.6 3.6 | -3.0 26.6 335 25 13 6.1 3.4
16000 -3.3 26.1 330 26 13 6.5 3.6 | -2.1 28.2 340 25 13 6.2 3.4
15500 -2.3 27.9 325 26 13 6.4 3.5 | -1.2 29.8 340 24 12 6.2 3.4
15000 -1.4 29.5 325 26 13 6.2 3.4 | -0.3 31.5 340 24 12 6.2 3.4
14500 -0.5 31.1 325 26 13 6.2 3.4 | 0.7 33.3 340 23 12 6.3 3.4
14000 0.4 32.7 320 26 14 5.9 3.2 | 1.5 34.7 340 23 12 5.0 2.8
13500 1.3 34.3 320 27 14 6.0 3.3 | 2.2 36.0 340 24 12 5.3 2.9
13000 2.1 35.8 320 27 14 5.3 2.9 | 2.9 37.2 335 24 13 3.2 1.8
12500 2.9 37.2 320 28 14 5.4 3.0 | 3.3 37.9 335 26 13 3.2 1.8
12000 3.6 38.5 320 28 15 3.5 1.9 | 3.6 38.5 330 27 14 0.6 0.3
11500 4.1 39.4 320 29 15 3.2 1.8 | 3.6 38.5 325 28 15 -0.0 -0.0
11000 4.4 39.9 320 30 16 0.6 0.3 | 3.5 38.3 320 29 15 -0.5 -0.3
10500 4.4 39.9 320 31 16 0.2 0.1 | 3.4 38.1 315 27 14 -2.2 -1.2
10250 4.4 39.9 325 32 16 1.0 0.5 | 3.2 37.8 315 26 14 -3.0 -1.6
10000 4.5 40.1 325 32 17 0.9 0.5 | 3.2 37.8 310 27 14 4.4 2.4
9750 4.6 40.3 325 32 16 0.4 0.2 | 3.7 38.7 310 26 13 7.8 4.3
9500 4.6 40.3 325 32 16 1.0 0.5 | 4.8 40.6 310 25 13 3.3 1.8
9250 4.6 40.3 325 31 16 -0.7 -0.4 | 4.9 40.8 310 25 13 4.2 2.3
9000 4.6 40.3 320 29 15 2.1 1.1 | 5.6 42.1 305 24 13 10.1 5.6
8750 4.7 40.5 320 27 14 -0.2 -0.1 | 6.2 43.2 305 24 12 8.4 4.6
8500 4.8 40.6 315 25 13 6.3 3.5 | 6.9 44.4 305 24 12 9.5 5.2
8250 5.6 42.1 315 24 12 8.1 4.4 | 7.6 45.7 310 23 12 9.8 5.4
8000 5.9 42.6 315 21 11 2.9 1.6 | 8.3 46.9 305 23 12 9.4 5.2
7750 6.2 43.2 310 19 10 4.7 2.6 | 9.1 48.4 305 23 12 9.4 5.2
7500 6.6 43.9 310 18 9 6.7 3.7 | 9.7 49.5 305 22 11 9.0 4.9
7250 7.2 45.0 305 17 9 7.5 4.1 | 10.4 50.7 310 22 11 10.1 5.5
7000 7.7 45.9 305 15 8 7.8 4.3 | 11.3 52.3 310 21 11 11.2 6.2
6750 8.3 46.9 305 13 7 4.8 2.6 | 12.1 53.8 310 20 10 10.4 5.7
6500 8.4 47.1 300 11 6 0.1 0.0 | 12.8 55.0 310 20 10 10.0 5.5
6250 8.5 47.3 290 9 5 3.6 2.0 | 13.6 56.5 310 19 10 9.4 5.2
6000 9.1 48.4 285 7 4 10.2 5.6 | 14.4 57.9 310 18 9 15.5 8.5
5750 9.8 49.6 265 5 3 5.9 3.3 | 16.7 62.1 305 15 8 56.6 31.1
5500 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
03/17/2026 at 1500 MDT | 03/17/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +7.3 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +7.3
CINH... 0.0 K Index... -4.5 | CINH... -0.0 K Index... -0.6
|
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 -68.2 -90.8 340 44 23 3.0 1.7 | -68.3 -90.9 345 47 24 1.8 1.0
45000 -63.4 -82.1 340 52 27 3.9 2.2 | -64.9 -84.8 345 57 29 4.5 2.5
40000 -57.0 -70.6 340 71 36 7.7 4.2 | -57.5 -71.5 345 59 30 8.1 4.4
38000 -52.6 -62.7 340 74 38 7.3 4.0 | -52.9 -63.2 345 61 31 7.7 4.2
36000 -48.2 -54.8 340 77 39 7.3 4.0 | -48.3 -54.9 345 62 32 7.7 4.2
34000 -43.6 -46.5 340 71 37 7.8 4.3 | -43.5 -46.3 345 62 32 8.1 4.5
32000 -39.0 -38.2 340 63 32 7.8 4.3 | -38.6 -37.5 345 60 31 8.1 4.5
30000 -34.0 -29.2 340 59 30 8.5 4.6 | -33.6 -28.5 340 60 31 8.4 4.6
29000 -31.5 -24.7 340 59 30 8.5 4.6 | -31.1 -24.0 340 59 30 8.4 4.6
28000 -28.9 -20.0 340 58 30 8.5 4.7 | -28.5 -19.3 340 59 30 8.4 4.6
27000 -26.4 -15.5 345 58 30 8.2 4.5 | -26.0 -14.8 340 60 31 8.5 4.6
26000 -24.0 -11.2 345 58 30 8.2 4.5 | -23.5 -10.3 340 61 31 8.5 4.6
25000 -21.5 -6.7 350 58 30 8.2 4.5 | -20.3 -4.5 345 62 32 8.5 4.7
24000 -18.5 -1.3 350 54 28 7.7 4.2 | -17.9 -0.2 345 62 32 7.9 4.3
23000 -16.2 2.8 350 49 25 7.7 4.3 | -15.5 4.1 345 62 32 7.9 4.4
22000 -13.9 7.0 350 44 22 7.8 4.3 | -13.1 8.4 345 62 32 8.0 4.4
21000 -11.7 10.9 345 39 20 7.3 4.0 | -11.1 12.0 345 58 30 6.6 3.6
20000 -9.5 14.9 345 35 18 7.3 4.0 | -9.1 15.6 345 53 28 6.6 3.6
19500 -8.4 16.9 340 34 17 7.4 4.0 | -8.1 17.4 345 51 26 6.6 3.6
19000 -7.3 18.9 340 32 17 7.1 3.9 | -7.1 19.2 345 48 25 6.4 3.5
18500 -6.3 20.7 335 32 16 7.0 3.9 | -6.2 20.8 345 45 23 6.3 3.5
18000 -5.3 22.5 335 31 16 7.0 3.9 | -5.3 22.5 345 42 21 6.4 3.5
17500 -4.2 24.4 335 31 16 7.0 3.8 | -4.3 24.3 340 39 20 6.6 3.6
17000 -3.2 26.2 335 30 16 7.0 3.8 | -3.3 26.1 340 37 19 6.7 3.7
16500 -2.2 28.0 335 30 15 6.7 3.7 | -2.4 27.7 340 35 18 6.5 3.6
16000 -1.2 29.8 330 30 15 6.6 3.6 | -1.4 29.5 335 33 17 6.5 3.6
15500 -0.2 31.6 330 29 15 6.4 3.5 | -0.5 31.1 335 31 16 6.5 3.6
15000 0.7 33.3 330 29 15 6.0 3.3 | 0.5 32.9 335 29 15 6.4 3.5
14500 1.6 34.9 330 28 15 6.1 3.3 | 1.4 34.5 330 27 14 6.4 3.5
14000 2.4 36.3 330 28 14 5.1 2.8 | 2.4 36.3 330 25 13 6.4 3.5
13500 3.1 37.6 330 27 14 5.2 2.9 | 3.3 37.9 330 24 12 6.5 3.6
13000 3.8 38.8 330 26 13 4.5 2.4 | 4.2 39.6 330 23 12 5.7 3.1
12500 4.4 39.9 330 25 13 4.5 2.5 | 5.1 41.2 330 22 12 5.7 3.1
12000 5.0 41.0 330 24 12 3.4 1.8 | 5.9 42.6 330 23 12 5.0 2.7
11500 5.4 41.7 325 23 12 3.1 1.7 | 6.6 43.9 330 24 12 4.9 2.7
11000 5.9 42.6 320 23 12 4.5 2.4 | 7.2 45.0 330 25 13 3.5 1.9
10500 6.6 43.9 320 23 12 4.3 2.3 | 7.6 45.7 330 26 14 3.0 1.6
10250 6.9 44.4 320 24 12 4.0 2.2 | 7.8 46.0 330 27 14 3.5 1.9
10000 7.2 45.0 315 24 12 6.6 3.6 | 8.2 46.8 330 28 15 6.2 3.4
9750 7.8 46.0 315 24 12 8.1 4.4 | 8.7 47.7 330 29 15 7.8 4.3
9500 8.9 48.0 315 25 13 6.4 3.5 | 9.8 49.6 325 30 16 7.3 4.0
9250 9.4 48.9 315 25 13 8.1 4.4 | 10.3 50.5 325 31 16 8.4 4.6
9000 10.1 50.2 315 25 13 9.5 5.2 | 11.0 51.8 325 31 16 9.1 5.0
8750 10.7 51.3 315 25 13 9.0 4.9 | 11.7 53.1 325 31 16 8.6 4.7
8500 11.4 52.5 315 25 13 9.5 5.2 | 12.3 54.1 325 31 16 9.9 5.4
8250 12.1 53.8 315 25 13 9.6 5.3 | 13.1 55.6 325 31 16 10.4 5.7
8000 12.8 55.0 315 25 13 9.3 5.1 | 13.9 57.0 325 31 16 9.6 5.3
7750 13.5 56.3 315 25 13 9.4 5.1 | 14.6 58.3 325 31 16 9.9 5.4
7500 14.2 57.6 315 25 13 9.1 5.0 | 15.3 59.5 325 31 16 9.3 5.1
7250 14.9 58.8 315 25 13 10.0 5.5 | 16.0 60.8 325 31 16 9.6 5.3
7000 15.7 60.3 315 25 13 10.7 5.9 | 16.8 62.2 325 30 15 10.4 5.7
6750 16.5 61.7 315 24 12 10.7 5.9 | 17.5 63.5 325 29 15 10.3 5.6
6500 17.3 63.1 315 24 12 10.5 5.8 | 18.3 64.9 325 28 14 10.4 5.7
6250 18.2 64.8 315 23 12 15.8 8.7 | 19.1 66.4 325 27 14 11.7 6.4
6000 19.8 67.6 315 21 11 25.7 14.1 | 20.1 68.2 325 23 12 13.9 7.7
5750 21.3 70.3 315 18 9 7.7 4.2 | 21.0 69.8 320 20 10 9.9 5.4
5500 M M M M M M M | M M M M M M M
________________________________________________________________________________
This product is issued once per day, at approximately 730 AM.
It is not continuously monitored nor updated after its initial
issuance.
The information contained herein is based on rawinsonde observation and/or
numerical weather prediction model data taken at the Albuquerque International
Sunport site in Albuquerque, New Mexico at
North Latitude: 35.03806 deg
West Longitude: 106.62194 deg
Elevation: 5298.6 feet (1615 meters)
and may not be representative of other areas, especially along and east of
the Sandia and Manzano Mountains. Note that some elevations in numerical weather
prediction models differ from actual station elevations, which can lead to
data which appear to be below ground. Erroneous data such as these should
not be used.
The content and format of this report as well as the issuance times are subject
to change without prior notice. Comments are welcome and should be directed
to one of the addresses or phone numbers shown at the bottom of this page.
DEFINITIONS:
CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) - An integrated measure of the
energy available for convective development, also known as the positive
area on a thermodynamic diagram. Units are Joules per kilogram. Larger
values are indicative of greater instability and the possibility of
stronger convective activity, including thunderstorms. Values around or
greater than 1000 suggest the possibility of severe weather should
convective activity develop.
CINH (Convective Inhibition) - An integrated measure of the amount of energy
needed to initiate convective activity, also known as the negative area on
a thermodynamic diagram. Units are Joules per kilogram. The more negative
this number, the more energy is required to initiate convection. This
inhibitive energy can be overcome through surface heating, cooling aloft,
lifting mechanisms (orographic, frontal, gravity waves, etc.)
Convective Condensation Level - The height to which an air parcel possessing the
average saturation mixing ratio in the lowest 4000 feet of the airmass,
if heated sufficiently from below, will rise dry adiabatically until it
just becomes saturated. It estimates the base of cumulus clouds that are
produced by surface heating only.
Convection Temperature (ConvectionT) - The surface temperature required to make
the airmass dry adiabatic up to the given level. It can be considered a
"trigger temperature" for that level.
Freezing Level - The height where the temperature is zero degrees Celsius.
Height of Stable Layer - The height (between 12,000 and 18,000 feet above
mean sea level) where the smallest lapse rate exists. The location and
existence of this feature is important in the generation of mountain
waves.
K Index - A measure of stability which combines the temperature difference
between approximately 5,000 and 18,000 feet above the surface, the amount
of moisture at approximately 5,000 feet above the surface, and a measure
of the dryness at approximately 10,000 feet above the surface. Larger
positive numbers indicate more instability and a greater likelihood of
thunderstorm development. One interpretation of K index values regarding
soaring in the western United States is given in WMO Technical Note 158
and is reproduced in the following table:
below -10 no or weak thermals
-10 to 5 dry thermals or 1/8 cumulus with moderate thermals
5 to 15 good soaring conditions
15 to 20 good soaring conditions with occasional showers
20 to 30 excellent soaring conditions, but increasing
probability of showers and thunderstorms
above 30 more than 60 percent probability of thunderstorms
Lapse Rate - The change with height of the temperature. Negative values indicate
inversions.
Lifted Condensation Level - The height to which an air parcel possessing the
average dew point in the lowest 4000 feet of the airmass and the forecast
maximum temperature must be lifted dry adiabatically to attain saturation.
Lifted Index (LI) - The difference between the environmental temperature at a
level approximately 18,000 feet above the surface and the temperature of
an air parcel lifted dry adiabatically from the surface to its lifted
condensation level and then pseudoadiabatically thereafter to this same
level. The parcel's initial temperature is the forecast maximum
temperature and its dew point is the average dew point in the lowest 4000
feet of the airmass. Negative values are indicative of instability with
positive values showing stable conditions.
Lift Rate - An experimental estimate of the strength of thermals. It is
computed the same way as the maximum rate of lift but uses the actual
level rather than the maximum height of thermals in the calculation.
Also, none of the empirical adjustments based on cloudiness and K-index
are applied to these calculations.
Maximum Height of Thermals - The height where the dry adiabat through the
forecast maximum temperature intersects the environmental temperature.
Maximum Rate of Lift - An estimate of the maximum strength of thermals. It
is computed from an empirical formula which combines the expected maximum
height of thermals with the difference in the environmental temperatures
between the maximum height of thermals and the temperature 4,000 feet
above the ground. After this computation, further empirical adjustments
are made based on the value of the K-index and the amount and opacity of
middle and high level cloudiness expected between the time of trigger
temperature and the time of overdevelopment.
Middle/High Clouds - The amount and opacity of middle (altostratus, altocumulus)
or high (cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus) clouds. Broken means that
between 60% and 90% of the sky is covered by the cloud, with overcast
conditions occurring when more than 90% of the sky is covered by the cloud.
Thin implies that the clouds are predominantly transparent, meaning that
some sunlight is reaching the ground, in contrast to opaque which suggests
that little sunlight is reaching the ground.
Potential Height of Wave - The minimum of the following two heights:
1. Level above the height of stable layer (or 14,000 feet if none exists)
where the wind direction changes by 30 degrees or more
2. Level above the height of stable layer (or 14,000 feet if none exists)
where the wind speed no longer increases with height
PVA/NVA - Positive vorticity advection (PVA)/negative vorticity advection (NVA)
on the 500 millibar isobaric surface (approximately 18,000 feet above mean
sea level). Weak PVA has been shown to assist in mountain wave soaring.
Soaring Window - The time between the time the trigger temperature is reached
and the time of overdevelopment.
Thermal Index - The difference between the environmental temperature and the
temperature at a particular level determined by following the dry adiabat
through the forecast maximum temperature up to that level. Negative values
are indicative of thermal lift.
Thermal Soaring Index - An adjective rating (for sailplanes) based on the
computed maximum rate of lift, and the wind speed and middle and high
cloud cover expected during the soaring window (the time of the trigger
temperature and the time of overdevelopment) according to the following:
Maximum rate of lift Adjective Rating
>= 800 fpm Excellent
>= 400 and < 800 fpm Good
>= 200 and < 400 fpm Fair
< 200 fpm Poor
Time of Overdevelopment - The time one or more of the following phenomena,
which essentially shut off thermal lift, is expected to occur:
1. formation of broken to overcast convective cloud cover
2. formation of scattered to numerous downbursts
3. initiation of widespread precipitation
Time of Trigger Temperature - The time the surface temperature is expected to
reach the trigger temperature.
Trigger Temperature - The surface temperature required to make the first 4000
feet of the atmosphere dry adiabatic.
Wave Soaring Index - An empirical, adjective rating (for sailplanes) which
attempts to combine a variety of phenomena important in mountain wave
soaring into a single index number. Objective points are assigned to
these phenomena: wind speed and direction at 14,000 ft MSL, the static
stability in the 12,000-18,000 ft MSL layer, the wind speed gradient above
the stable layer, jet stream location and frontal and upper trough
movements.
042613
Soaring Forecast for Santa Fe NM
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
0719 MDT Tuesday March 17 2026
This forecast is for Tuesday, March 17, 2026:
If the trigger temperature of 63.8 F/17.7 C is reached...then
Thermal Soaring Index....................... Good
Maximum rate of lift........................ 625 ft/min (3.2 m/s)
Maximum height of thermals.................. 14296 ft MSL (7835 ft AGL)
Forecast maximum temperature................... 73.0 F/23.2 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................. 11245 ft MSL (4784 ft AGL)
Thermal soaring outlook for Wednesday 03/18.... Excellent
Remarks...
Sunrise/Sunset.................... 07:11:42 / 19:13:31 MDT
Total possible sunshine........... 12 hr 1 min 49 sec (721 min 49 sec)
Altitude of sun at 13:12:37 MDT... 53.16 degrees
Upper air data from numerical model forecast valid on 03/17/2026 at 0600 MDT
Freezing level.................. 13819 ft MSL (7358 ft AGL)
Convective condensation level... 21967 ft MSL (15506 ft AGL)
Lifted condensation level....... 18854 ft MSL (12392 ft AGL)
Lifted index.................... +5.2
K index......................... +5.5
Height Temperature Wind Wind Spd Lapse Rate ConvectionT Thermal Lift Rate
ft MSL deg C deg F Dir kt m/s C/km F/kft deg C deg F Index fpm m/s
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50000 -67.7 -89.9 355 67 34 -0.0 -0.0 77.7 171.9 32.2 M M
45000 -66.8 -88.2 360 87 45 5.0 2.7 56.6 133.9 21.2 M M
40000 -58.8 -73.8 360 88 45 6.6 3.6 45.5 113.8 15.3 M M
38000 -54.1 -65.4 360 82 42 7.8 4.3 43.3 109.9 14.2 M M
36000 -49.5 -57.1 005 76 39 7.8 4.3 41.8 107.3 13.5 M M
34000 -44.5 -48.1 005 70 36 8.5 4.7 40.5 105.0 12.9 M M
32000 -39.4 -38.9 005 64 33 8.5 4.7 39.6 103.2 12.5 M M
30000 -34.6 -30.3 360 58 30 7.7 4.2 38.2 100.8 11.8 M M
29000 -32.3 -26.1 355 55 28 7.7 4.2 37.4 99.3 11.3 M M
28000 -30.0 -22.0 350 52 27 7.7 4.2 36.7 98.1 10.9 M M
27000 -27.2 -17.0 350 49 25 7.5 4.1 35.7 96.2 10.2 M M
26000 -24.9 -12.8 345 46 24 7.5 4.1 34.8 94.6 9.6 M M
25000 -22.7 -8.9 345 43 22 7.6 4.1 34.1 93.3 9.1 M M
24000 -20.4 -4.7 345 42 21 8.0 4.4 33.4 92.0 8.6 M M
23000 -18.0 -0.4 340 41 21 8.1 4.4 32.7 90.9 8.2 M M
22000 -15.6 3.9 340 40 20 8.1 4.5 32.2 89.9 7.8 M M
21000 -13.4 7.9 340 38 20 6.8 3.8 31.3 88.3 7.1 M M
20000 -11.4 11.5 340 36 19 6.8 3.7 30.2 86.4 6.2 M M
19500 -10.4 13.3 340 35 18 6.8 3.7 29.8 85.6 5.8 M M
19000 -9.4 15.1 345 35 18 6.5 3.6 29.3 84.7 5.5 M M
18500 -8.5 16.7 345 34 17 5.9 3.3 28.7 83.6 4.9 M M
18000 -7.6 18.3 345 33 17 6.0 3.3 28.0 82.4 4.3 M M
17500 -6.8 19.8 345 33 17 5.7 3.1 27.4 81.3 3.8 M M
17000 -5.9 21.4 340 32 17 5.7 3.1 26.7 80.0 3.1 M M
16500 -5.1 22.8 340 32 16 5.8 3.2 26.0 78.8 2.5 M M
16000 -4.2 24.4 340 32 16 5.8 3.2 25.3 77.6 1.9 M M
15500 -3.4 25.9 340 31 16 5.8 3.2 24.7 76.5 1.3 M M
15000 -2.5 27.5 340 30 16 6.3 3.5 24.1 75.4 0.8 M M
14500 -1.5 29.3 335 30 15 6.3 3.4 23.5 74.4 0.3 M M
14000 -0.6 30.9 335 29 15 6.8 3.7 23.0 73.4 -0.2 606 3.1
13500 0.5 32.9 330 27 14 6.9 3.8 22.5 72.6 -0.6 560 2.8
13000 1.5 34.7 330 26 13 7.1 3.9 22.1 71.8 -1.0 514 2.6
12500 2.6 36.7 330 25 13 7.2 3.9 21.7 71.0 -1.4 467 2.4
12000 3.7 38.7 325 23 12 6.2 3.4 21.3 70.3 -1.8 420 2.1
11500 4.9 40.8 320 21 11 5.7 3.1 20.2 68.4 -2.8 362 1.8
11000 5.4 41.7 320 19 10 1.1 0.6 19.2 66.6 -3.8 332 1.7
10500 5.6 42.1 315 17 9 2.9 1.6 17.9 64.2 -5.1 311 1.6
10250 5.8 42.4 315 15 8 1.9 1.0 17.4 63.4 -5.5 296 1.5
10000 5.8 42.4 315 14 7 -1.0 -0.5 16.6 61.9 -6.3 290 1.5
9750 5.8 42.4 315 13 7 -0.2 -0.1 15.8 60.5 -7.1 284 1.4
9500 5.7 42.3 315 12 6 -0.8 -0.4 15.0 59.1 -7.9 278 1.4
9250 5.6 42.1 315 11 5 -1.9 -1.0 14.2 57.6 -8.8 274 1.4
9000 5.5 41.9 320 10 5 -0.7 -0.4 13.3 56.0 -9.7 270 1.4
8750 5.5 41.9 325 9 5 0.6 0.3 12.6 54.7 -10.4 263 1.3
8500 5.5 41.9 325 8 4 -0.1 -0.0 11.9 53.4 -11.2 255 1.3
8250 5.4 41.7 325 8 4 -1.0 -0.5 11.1 52.0 -12.0 249 1.3
8000 5.4 41.7 315 8 4 -0.2 -0.1 10.3 50.5 -12.8 244 1.2
7750 5.4 41.7 310 7 4 0.1 0.0 9.6 49.2 -13.6 236 1.2
7500 5.4 41.7 305 7 3 2.0 1.1 8.9 47.9 -14.3 228 1.2
7250 5.7 42.3 300 6 3 4.1 2.3 8.4 47.1 -14.8 212 1.1
7000 6.0 42.8 295 6 3 4.7 2.6 8.0 46.3 -15.2 196 1.0
6750 6.1 43.0 290 6 3 -4.6 -2.5 7.4 45.3 -15.9 184 0.9
6500 3.8 38.8 295 3 2 -75.6 -41.5 4.3 39.7 -19.0 248 1.3
* * * * * * Numerical weather prediction model forecast data valid * * * * * *
03/17/2026 at 0900 MDT | 03/17/2026 at 1200 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +5.6 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +5.5
CINH... -0.4 K Index... +6.9 | CINH... 0.0 K Index... +5.5
|
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 -66.9 -88.4 355 56 29 -0.8 -0.4 | -67.1 -88.8 345 48 25 0.5 0.3
45000 -66.5 -87.7 355 76 39 5.3 2.9 | -65.3 -85.5 350 65 33 4.7 2.6
40000 -58.5 -73.3 355 81 42 6.8 3.7 | -58.3 -72.9 345 75 39 6.1 3.3
38000 -53.9 -65.0 355 74 38 7.7 4.2 | -53.0 -63.4 345 71 37 7.9 4.3
36000 -49.3 -56.7 355 67 34 7.7 4.2 | -48.3 -54.9 345 68 35 7.9 4.3
34000 -44.4 -47.9 350 60 31 8.5 4.6 | -43.5 -46.3 345 61 32 8.1 4.4
32000 -39.3 -38.7 350 54 28 8.5 4.6 | -38.6 -37.5 345 53 27 8.1 4.4
30000 -33.5 -28.3 345 48 25 8.7 4.8 | -33.7 -28.7 340 49 25 8.5 4.6
29000 -30.9 -23.6 345 46 24 8.7 4.8 | -31.1 -24.0 340 48 25 8.5 4.6
28000 -28.3 -18.9 345 45 23 8.7 4.7 | -28.6 -19.5 340 47 24 8.6 4.7
27000 -26.1 -15.0 345 42 21 7.0 3.8 | -26.3 -15.3 340 46 24 7.5 4.1
26000 -24.0 -11.2 345 38 20 7.0 3.9 | -24.1 -11.4 340 44 23 7.5 4.1
25000 -21.9 -7.4 345 35 18 7.0 3.9 | -21.3 -6.3 340 41 21 7.5 4.1
24000 -19.7 -3.5 345 33 17 7.3 4.0 | -19.1 -2.4 335 38 20 7.5 4.1
23000 -17.6 0.3 340 31 16 7.3 4.0 | -16.8 1.8 335 35 18 7.5 4.1
22000 -15.4 4.3 340 29 15 7.3 4.0 | -14.6 5.7 330 32 16 7.6 4.2
21000 -13.3 8.1 340 28 15 7.1 3.9 | -12.5 9.5 330 29 15 6.7 3.7
20000 -11.2 11.8 335 28 14 7.1 3.9 | -10.6 12.9 330 26 13 6.7 3.7
19500 -10.1 13.8 335 27 14 7.1 3.9 | -9.6 14.7 330 25 13 6.8 3.7
19000 -9.0 15.8 335 27 14 6.8 3.8 | -8.6 16.5 330 23 12 6.9 3.8
18500 -8.1 17.4 340 26 14 6.4 3.5 | -7.5 18.5 335 23 12 7.0 3.8
18000 -7.2 19.0 340 26 13 6.4 3.5 | -6.5 20.3 335 23 12 7.1 3.9
17500 -6.2 20.8 340 25 13 6.1 3.3 | -5.5 22.1 340 23 12 6.6 3.6
17000 -5.4 22.3 340 25 13 6.1 3.3 | -4.5 23.9 345 23 12 6.7 3.7
16500 -4.5 23.9 340 24 12 6.0 3.3 | -3.5 25.7 350 24 12 6.5 3.6
16000 -3.6 25.5 340 24 12 5.9 3.2 | -2.6 27.3 355 24 12 6.5 3.5
15500 -2.7 27.1 340 23 12 5.9 3.2 | -1.6 29.1 355 25 13 6.4 3.5
15000 -1.9 28.6 335 22 11 5.9 3.2 | -0.7 30.7 355 25 13 5.9 3.2
14500 -1.0 30.2 335 21 11 5.8 3.2 | 0.1 32.2 355 24 13 5.9 3.3
14000 -0.1 31.8 335 21 11 6.6 3.6 | 1.0 33.8 355 24 12 5.4 3.0
13500 0.9 33.6 330 20 10 6.7 3.7 | 1.7 35.1 355 23 12 5.4 3.0
13000 1.9 35.4 330 19 10 6.6 3.6 | 2.5 36.5 350 22 11 5.3 2.9
12500 2.9 37.2 325 18 9 6.6 3.6 | 3.3 37.9 345 22 11 5.2 2.9
12000 4.2 39.6 320 18 9 4.4 2.4 | 4.0 39.2 345 22 11 4.8 2.6
11500 4.9 40.8 320 19 10 5.6 3.1 | 4.7 40.5 340 21 11 4.6 2.5
11000 5.4 41.7 320 18 9 -0.4 -0.2 | 5.6 42.1 335 20 10 0.2 0.1
10500 5.4 41.7 315 17 9 1.9 1.1 | 5.7 42.3 325 18 9 2.2 1.2
10250 5.6 42.1 315 17 9 1.1 0.6 | 5.9 42.6 330 18 9 1.5 0.8
10000 5.5 41.9 315 16 8 -1.8 -1.0 | 5.9 42.6 330 16 8 -0.8 -0.5
9750 5.4 41.7 315 15 8 -0.9 -0.5 | 5.9 42.6 325 15 8 -0.4 -0.2
9500 5.3 41.5 315 14 7 -1.7 -0.9 | 5.8 42.4 325 14 7 0.0 0.0
9250 5.2 41.4 315 13 7 -2.1 -1.2 | 6.0 42.8 325 12 6 4.3 2.3
9000 5.0 41.0 315 12 6 -0.6 -0.3 | 6.4 43.5 325 12 6 6.9 3.8
8750 5.0 41.0 315 11 6 0.3 0.2 | 6.9 44.4 325 11 6 6.1 3.4
8500 5.0 41.0 320 10 5 0.1 0.1 | 7.4 45.3 325 11 5 6.7 3.7
8250 5.0 41.0 320 10 5 0.3 0.2 | 7.9 46.2 325 10 5 8.0 4.4
8000 5.1 41.2 315 9 5 1.3 0.7 | 8.6 47.5 325 10 5 9.5 5.2
7750 5.2 41.4 310 8 4 1.5 0.8 | 9.3 48.7 320 10 5 10.1 5.5
7500 5.3 41.5 310 8 4 3.0 1.6 | 10.1 50.2 320 9 5 10.0 5.5
7250 5.6 42.1 305 7 4 4.4 2.4 | 10.9 51.6 320 9 5 10.6 5.8
7000 6.0 42.8 300 7 4 5.1 2.8 | 11.6 52.9 320 9 5 9.2 5.0
6750 6.5 43.7 290 7 4 11.1 6.1 | 12.4 54.3 315 9 4 14.0 7.7
6500 7.7 45.9 290 6 3 20.2 11.1 | 14.7 58.5 315 8 4 59.6 32.7
03/17/2026 at 1500 MDT | 03/17/2026 at 1800 MDT
|
CAPE... 0.0 LI... +7.0 | CAPE... 0.0 LI... +6.6
CINH... 0.0 K Index... -5.1 | CINH... -0.0 K Index... +4.5
|
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 -67.8 -90.0 340 48 25 3.2 1.7 | -68.4 -91.1 340 50 26 2.9 1.6
45000 -63.0 -81.4 340 54 28 3.6 2.0 | -63.9 -83.0 345 60 31 3.4 1.9
40000 -57.6 -71.7 340 76 39 5.1 2.8 | -58.3 -72.9 345 63 33 8.1 4.4
38000 -52.9 -63.2 340 73 38 7.1 3.9 | -53.6 -64.5 345 60 31 7.8 4.3
36000 -48.6 -55.5 340 71 36 7.1 3.9 | -48.9 -56.0 345 56 29 7.9 4.3
34000 -44.0 -47.2 340 67 34 7.9 4.3 | -43.8 -46.8 345 54 28 8.8 4.8
32000 -39.3 -38.7 335 63 32 7.9 4.3 | -38.5 -37.3 345 52 27 8.8 4.8
30000 -34.4 -29.9 335 61 32 8.4 4.6 | -33.5 -28.3 340 55 28 8.1 4.4
29000 -31.9 -25.4 340 61 32 8.4 4.6 | -31.1 -24.0 340 58 30 8.1 4.5
28000 -29.3 -20.7 340 62 32 8.4 4.6 | -28.7 -19.7 340 60 31 8.1 4.4
27000 -26.8 -16.2 340 61 31 8.3 4.6 | -26.2 -15.2 340 61 32 8.2 4.5
26000 -24.3 -11.7 345 61 31 8.3 4.6 | -23.1 -9.6 340 62 32 8.2 4.5
25000 -21.2 -6.2 345 60 31 8.4 4.6 | -20.7 -5.3 340 62 32 8.3 4.5
24000 -18.8 -1.8 345 56 29 7.9 4.3 | -18.3 -0.9 340 60 31 7.8 4.3
23000 -16.5 2.3 345 51 26 7.9 4.3 | -16.0 3.2 340 58 30 7.8 4.3
22000 -14.1 6.6 345 45 23 7.9 4.4 | -13.6 7.5 345 56 29 7.9 4.3
21000 -11.8 10.8 345 41 21 7.6 4.2 | -11.5 11.3 345 52 27 7.0 3.9
20000 -9.6 14.7 340 38 19 7.6 4.2 | -9.4 15.1 345 47 24 7.0 3.9
19500 -8.4 16.9 340 36 18 7.6 4.2 | -8.3 17.1 345 45 23 7.0 3.9
19000 -7.3 18.9 335 34 18 7.5 4.1 | -7.3 18.9 345 42 22 6.8 3.7
18500 -6.2 20.8 335 33 17 7.5 4.1 | -6.3 20.7 345 41 21 6.6 3.6
18000 -5.1 22.8 335 32 17 7.5 4.1 | -5.3 22.5 345 39 20 6.7 3.7
17500 -4.0 24.8 335 32 16 7.2 3.9 | -4.4 24.1 345 37 19 5.6 3.1
17000 -2.9 26.8 335 31 16 7.2 4.0 | -3.6 25.5 345 35 18 5.7 3.2
16500 -1.9 28.6 335 31 16 6.7 3.7 | -2.8 27.0 345 33 17 4.8 2.6
16000 -0.9 30.4 335 31 16 6.3 3.5 | -2.2 28.0 345 30 16 4.1 2.3
15500 0.0 32.0 335 31 16 6.1 3.3 | -1.6 29.1 345 28 14 4.0 2.2
15000 0.8 33.4 335 31 16 4.2 2.3 | -1.1 30.0 345 25 13 3.4 1.9
14500 1.4 34.5 335 31 16 4.5 2.5 | -0.6 30.9 340 22 11 3.2 1.8
14000 1.9 35.4 335 31 16 2.7 1.5 | 0.0 32.0 340 19 10 6.2 3.4
13500 2.3 36.1 330 29 15 2.8 1.5 | 0.9 33.6 335 18 9 5.9 3.2
13000 2.7 36.9 325 27 14 4.0 2.2 | 1.9 35.4 335 16 8 8.2 4.5
12500 3.3 37.9 325 25 13 4.4 2.4 | 3.2 37.8 335 16 8 8.7 4.8
12000 3.9 39.0 320 23 12 5.6 3.1 | 4.5 40.1 335 16 8 9.4 5.2
11500 5.2 41.4 320 20 10 4.3 2.4 | 6.6 43.9 335 16 8 7.4 4.1
11000 6.1 43.0 325 18 9 7.6 4.2 | 7.9 46.2 335 17 9 9.7 5.3
10500 7.1 44.8 325 16 8 6.9 3.8 | 9.3 48.7 335 17 9 8.1 4.5
10250 7.6 45.7 325 16 8 7.8 4.3 | 9.9 49.8 335 18 9 7.8 4.3
10000 8.3 46.9 330 15 8 9.0 5.0 | 10.5 50.9 335 18 9 9.5 5.2
9750 8.9 48.0 330 15 8 8.5 4.7 | 11.2 52.2 335 18 9 8.6 4.7
9500 9.6 49.3 330 14 7 9.4 5.2 | 11.9 53.4 335 19 10 10.3 5.7
9250 10.3 50.5 330 14 7 9.6 5.3 | 12.7 54.9 335 19 10 10.1 5.6
9000 11.0 51.8 330 13 7 9.0 5.0 | 13.4 56.1 335 19 10 8.5 4.7
8750 11.7 53.1 335 13 7 9.1 5.0 | 14.0 57.2 335 19 10 8.8 4.8
8500 12.4 54.3 335 13 7 9.4 5.2 | 14.7 58.5 335 19 10 9.3 5.1
8250 13.1 55.6 335 12 6 10.4 5.7 | 15.4 59.7 335 19 10 10.2 5.6
8000 13.9 57.0 335 12 6 10.4 5.7 | 16.2 61.2 335 19 10 9.8 5.4
7750 14.7 58.5 335 11 6 10.1 5.6 | 16.9 62.4 335 18 9 9.3 5.1
7500 15.4 59.7 335 11 6 10.2 5.6 | 17.6 63.7 335 17 9 9.7 5.3
7250 16.2 61.2 340 11 5 10.6 5.8 | 18.3 64.9 335 17 9 10.3 5.7
7000 17.0 62.6 340 10 5 9.4 5.2 | 19.1 66.4 335 17 9 9.4 5.2
6750 17.7 63.9 340 10 5 14.0 7.7 | 19.8 67.6 335 16 8 9.3 5.1
6500 20.0 68.0 340 8 4 56.7 31.1 | 20.8 69.4 335 13 7 21.8 11.9
________________________________________________________________________________
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
Albuquerque (KABX) Radar Velocity Azimuth Display Wind Profile (Observed) |
Albuquerque Vertical Wind Profile (Forecast from Rapid Refresh Model)Lowest 2000 ft Above Ground LevelVertical Wind Profile (for lowest 2000 ft) |
Albuquerque Vertical Wind Profiler at Double Eagle Airport (Real-time observations)Note: The Wind Profiler is moved to Balloon Fiesta Park during Balloon FiestaDouble Eagle (Albuquerque) Vertical Wind Profiler |
|
Map of Surface Observations (Including Winds) Once the map is loaded, click on an observation site for more details. |
|
Phone Numbers for Up-to-the-Minute Airport Observations |
|---|
|
This is a nationwide information resource from NOAA
AIRMETs, SIGMETs, TURBC, ICG, PIREPs, flight-level winds, CCFP/CAWS and more
Regional perspective of aviation weather forecasts and data
Diagram showing the relative frequency of wind direction and speed each airport
Follow us on X
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on YouTube
ABQ RSS Feed