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Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
SOME OF STABILITY INDEX
* Can be calculated over many different layers/levels/parcels This list is not nearly exhaustive!
Stability Indices
Basic Idea:
Single number that characterizes the stability (or instability) of the atmosphere
Advantages:
• Easily computed
• Easily applied in forecasting
Disadvantages:
Application Guidelines:
• Forecaster must always closely examine the entire sounding
• Must be used in conjunction with other forecasting methods
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
Showalter Index (SI):
SI Te 500 Tp 500
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
Showalter Index (SI):
Skew-T Procedure: 1. Find the LCL for a parcel lifted from 850 mb
2. Find the LFC for the same parcel
3. From the LCL move up a pseudo-adiabat to 500 mb
4. Subtract the parcel temperature (Tp) at 500 mb from
the environmental temperature (Te) at 500 mb
Td T SI = Te500 – Tp500
SI = (-32ºC) – (-25ºC)
SI = (241 K) – (248 K)
Te500 Tp500 SI = –7
500 mb
LCL
850 mb
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
Showalter Index (SI):
SI Te 500 Tp 500
Forecast Guidelines:
+1 to +3 Showers are probable, Thunderstorms possible
need strong forced ascent
0 to -3 Unstable – Thunderstorms probable
-4 to -6 Very Unstable – Heavy thunderstorms probable
less than -6 Extremely Unstable – Strong thunderstorms probable
Tornadoes are possible
Usage Guidelines:
• Good for forecasting mid-level convection
• Does not account for moisture in boundary layer
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
Lifted Index (LI):
Definition:
Temperature difference between:
• The environmental air at 500 mb and
• The temperature of an air parcel at 500 mb lifted dry-adiabatically
from the mean conditions in the boundary layer to saturation
(i.e., the LCL) and then pseudo-adiabatically thereafter up to 500 mb
LI Te 500 Tp 500
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
Lifted Index (LI):
Td T LI = Te500 – Tp500
LI = (-32ºC) – (-26ºC)
LI = (241 K) – (247 K)
Te500 Tp500 LI = –6
500 mb
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
Lifted Index (LI): Finding the mean wsw and θ:
wsw-min wsw-max
θmin θmax
Td T
100 mb
50 mb
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
Lifted Index (LI):
LI Te 500 Tp 500
Forecast Guidelines:
0 to -2 Thunderstorms possible, need strong forced ascent
-2 to -5 Unstable – Thunderstorms probable
less than -5 Very Unstable – Strong thunderstorms probable
Usage Guidelines:
• Good for forecasting surface-based convection
• Accounts for moisture in boundary layer
• Addresses limitations of Showalter Index
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
K Index (K):
Definition:
Measure of thunderstorm potential based on:
• Vertical temperature lapse rates (T850-T500)
• Moisture content of the lower atmosphere (Td 500)
• Vertical extent of moist layer (T700-Td 700)
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
K Index (K):
Usage Guidelines:
• Does not require a plotted sounding
• Biased toward “air mass” thunderstorms (i.e. not near fronts)
• Works best for non-severe thunderstorms
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
Total Totals (TT):
Definition:
Used to identify areas of potential thunderstorm development:
• Temperature lapse rate between 850 and 500 mb (T850 and T500)
• Low-level moisture (Td 850)
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
Total Totals (TT):
Usage Guidelines:
• Does not require a plotted sounding
• Good for “air mass” thunderstorms (i.e. not near fronts)
• More reliable than K-Index for severe thunderstorm potential
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
Severe Weather Threat Index (SWEAT):
Definition:
Measure of severe weather potential based on:
• Low-level moisture (Td 850)
• Instability (Total Totals)
• Low-level jet stream (vv850)
• Mid-level jet stream (vv500)
• Warm air advection (dd500 and dd850)
SWEAT 12Td 850 20(TT 49) 2vv 850 vv 500 125[sin (dd 500 dd 850 ) 0.2]
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
Severe Weather Threat Index (SWEAT):
SWEAT 12Td 850 20(TT 49) 2vv 850 vv 500 125[sin (dd 500 dd 850 ) 0.2]
Rules:
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
Severe Weather Threat Index (SWEAT):
SWEAT 12Td 850 20(TT 49) 2vv 850 vv 500 125[sin (dd 500 dd 850 ) 0.2]
Forecast Guidelines:
SWEAT > 300 Severe Thunderstorms
SWEAT > 400 Tornadic Thunderstorms
Usage Guidelines:
• Does not require a plotted sounding
• Only indicates potential for severe weather
• Includes vertical wind shear terms required for deep convection
• Forced ascent is needed to realize the potential
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
Convective Inhibition (CIN):
Definition:
• The energy that must be overcome to make a parcel buoyant
• Energy is overcome by forced ascent
• The negative area below the LFC between the environmental sounding
and the temperature of a lifted parcel
Td T
LFC
Negative
Area
LCL
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
Convective Inhibition (CIN):
Skew-T Procedure: 1. Find the LCL for a parcel lifted from the surface
2. Find the LFC for the same parcel
3. Identify those layers below the LFC in which the
parcel temperature is less than the environmental
temperature
4. The CIN is the total negative area
Td T
LFC
CIN
LCL
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE):
Definition:
• Buoyant energy available in the atmosphere
• Forced ascent is usually required to tap into this energy
• The positive area above the LFC between the environmental sounding
and the temperature of a lifted parcel
Td T
EL
Positive
Area
LFC
LCL
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE):
Skew-T Procedure: 1. Find the LCL for a parcel lifted from the surface
2. Find the LFC and EL for the same parcel
3. Identify those layers below the LFC and EL in which the
parcel temperature is greater than the environmental
temperature
4. The CAPE is the total positive area
Td T
EL
CAPE
LFC
LCL
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin
Stability Indices
Convective Inhibition (CIN):
Forecast Guidelines:
Forecast Guidelines:
Thermodynamics M. D. Eastin