The “1000-500-hPa Thickness” product provides forecasts every three hours for the next seven days, measuring the thickness of the atmospheric layer between pressures of 1000 hPa and 500 hPa, expressed in geopotential meters (Gpm). This index is crucial for analyzing atmospheric structure and identifying areas of instability.
- High thickness values: Indicate the presence of warm and moist air, promoting the formation of convective clouds and, consequently, storms.
- Low thickness values: Represent cold and dry air, generally associated with more stable conditions, reducing the potential for cloud formation and precipitation.
Monitoring this thickness is essential for severe weather prediction and understanding atmospheric circulation patterns.