Sounder data is data obtained from the GOES satellites. This data is not as accurate as the weather balloon (radiosonde) data and data can not be obtained below clouds but the satellite data can fill in gaps of missing meteorological data and is an additional resource meteorologists can use to assess the instability and moisture environment. The following information will explain several of the index values that can be obtained from a satellite and a link to the current data. Instability: Instability assesses the potential for convection intensity if thunderstorms occur. The two most commonly used instability index values are the LI (Lifted Index) and CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy). LI's that are negative are unstable (the more negative the more unstable). CAPE values that are positive are unstable. The higher the CAPE and more unstable (i.e. 1,500 is more unstable that 400). LI: http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/realtime/latestusli.gif LI values: 0 to -4 Marginal instability -4 to -7 Large instability -8 or less Extreme instability CAPE: http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/realtime/latestusce.gif CAPE values: 1 - 1,500 Positive 1,500 - 2,500 Large 2,500+ Extreme Moisture: When there is more moisture in the air there is a greater potential for more intense precipitation and more precipitation. PW (Precipitable Water) is used to assess the amount of moisture in the air. High PW combined with slow moving precipitation areas that result in high precipitation totals. 10 mm (millimeters) or less = very low moisture content 30 mm to 40 mm = moderate moisture content 50 mm or above = very high moisture content PW: http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/realtime/latestuspw.gif |