6.11.1 – Lifted Index
6.11.2 – CAPE
6.11.3 – Convective Inhibition
6.11.4 – METEO Winds
6.11.5 – Storm Helicity
6.11.6 – Sea Level Pressure
6.11.7 – Pressure Trend 3h
6.11.8 – GPH Height Temperature
6.11.9 – 1000-500hPa – Thickness
6.11.10 – 500-hPa – Thickness
Below, we will discuss each of the maps in detail.
6.11.1 – Lifted Index
These maps show the dimensionless values of the lifted index (LI). It is visualized with colors as specified in the color bar. The more unstable the environment, the more negative the LI will be.
The Lifted Index map (Nº1) illustrates the different values of the Lifted Index, using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.11.1A below illustrates how the Lifted Index map is presented on the platform.
Figure 6.11.1A – Lifted Index Map
Hovering over the map will present the different Lifted Index values (Nº3) for the selected date. If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº4), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº5) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº6), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
6.11.2 – CAPE
CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) means Convective Available Potential Energy. It is a measure of the amount of energy available for a rising air parcel during the convection process. CAPE is measured in joules per kilogram (J/kg). The higher the value, the more productive the atmosphere is concerning severe weather, meaning the higher the value, the more unstable the atmosphere is. The Lifted Index is additionally displayed on the map as lines with the corresponding value.
The CAPE – Convective Available Potential Energy map (Nº1) illustrates the different CAPE values, using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.11.2A below illustrates how the CAPE map is presented on the platform.
Figure 6.11.2A – CAPE Map
Hovering over the map will present the different values of CAPE – Convective Available Potential Energy (Nº3) for the selected date. If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº4), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº5) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº6), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
6.11.3 – Convective Inhibition
These maps show convective inhibition (CIN) with colors as defined in the color scale. CIN is expressed in Joules per Kilogram (J/Kg). It indicates the amount of energy required to lift the parcel to the Level of Free Convection. The higher the CIN value, the lower the likelihood of convective storms.
The Convective Inhibition map (Nº1) illustrates the different levels of convective inhibition, using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.11.3A below illustrates how the map is presented on the platform
Figure 6.11.3A – Convective Inhibition Map
Hovering over the map will present the different values of Convective Inhibition (Nº3) for the selected date. If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº4), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº5) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº6), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
6.11.4 – METEO Winds
The METEO Winds map (Nº1) illustrates the different wind speeds and directions, using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.11.4A below illustrates how the METEO Winds map is presented on the platform.
Figure 6.11.4A – METEO Winds Map
Hovering over the map will present the different wind speeds (Nº3) for the selected date. If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº4), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº5) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº6), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
6.11.5 – Storm Helicity
These maps show the relative helicity in the indicated atmospheric layer (0-3 km) with colors in m²/s². Helicity is simply a measure of the amount of rotation found in a storm’s updraft. If there is significant rotation in a storm’s updraft, it will likely become a supercell and may produce one or more tornadoes.
The Storm Helicity map (Nº1) illustrates the different amounts of rotation, using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.11.5A below illustrates how the Storm Helicity map is presented on the platform..
Figure 6.11.5A – Storm Helicity Map
Hovering over the map will present the Storm Helicities (Nº3) for the selected date. If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº4), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº5) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº6), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
6.11.6 – Sea Level Pressure
These maps show atmospheric pressure (at sea level) in hPa, with isobars and colors as indicated in the map legend.
The Sea Level Pressure map (Nº1) illustrates the different pressures, using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.11.6A below illustrates how the Wave Height map is presented on the platform.
Figure 6.11.6A – Sea Level Pressure Map
Hovering over the map will present the different pressure values (Nº3) for the selected date. If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº4), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº5) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº6), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
6.11.7 – Pressure Trend 3h
These maps show the increase or decrease in atmospheric pressure over the last three hours relative to the selected time. Pressure is given in hectopascals (hPa). Positive values indicate an increase in air pressure over the last three hours, while negative values indicate a decrease.
The Pressure Trend 3h map (Nº1) illustrates the different pressures, using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.11.7A below illustrates how the map is presented on the platform
Figure 6.11.7A – 3h Trend Map
Hovering over the map will present the different pressure trend values (Nº3) for the selected date. If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº4), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº5) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº6), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
6.11.8 – GPH Height Temperature
These maps show colored areas of equal temperature for an equipotential surface (e.g., 500 mb). It is possible to combine with other maps: for example, the isohypses can show the average sea level pressure (hPa), while large-scale air flow patterns will be visible by adding flow lines for the specific altitude.
The GPH Height Temperature map (Nº1) illustrates the different temperatures, using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.11.8A below illustrates how the map is presented on the platform.
Figure 6.11.8A – GPH Height Temperature Map
Hovering over the map will present the different Temperature values (Nº3) for the selected date. If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº4), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº5) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº6), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
6.11.9 – 1000-500hPa – Thickness
These maps show the thickness of the 1000-500 hPa layer in dam (decameters) with colors, as indicated in the map legend.
The 1000-500 hPa – Thickness map (Nº1) illustrates the different values, using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.11.9A below illustrates how the map is presented on the platform.
Figure 6.11.1A – 1000-500hPa Thickness Map
Hovering over the map will present the different thickness values (Nº3) for the selected date. If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº4), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº5) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº6), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
6.11.10 – 500-hPa – Thickness
These maps show the 500 hPa thickness with colored areas, as indicated in the color scale on the map.
The 500-hPa – Thickness map (Nº1) illustrates the different values, using different colors on the map (Nº2). Figure 6.11.10A below illustrates how the 500-hPa Thickness map is presented on the platform.
Figure 6.11.10A – 500-hPa Thickness Map
Hovering over the map will present the different 500-hPa thickness values (Nº3) for the selected date. If the user prefers, the map values can be compared to the legend (Nº4), located in the lower-left corner of the screen. The time selector bar (Nº5) will show the different available dates to check forecasts for the given region. If the user needs to adjust the image zoom on the screen, they can use the pre-set Zoom options bar (Nº6), located in the upper-right corner of the screen.