---
title: "List of convective parameters and other important details"
author: "Bartosz Czernecki, Mateusz Taszarek, Piotr Szuster"
output:
rmarkdown::html_vignette:
self_contained: false
vignette: >
%\VignetteIndexEntry{List of convective parameters and other important details}
%\VignetteEncoding{UTF-8}
%\VignetteEngine{knitr::rmarkdown}
self_contained: false
editor_options:
markdown:
wrap: 72
---
```{r, include = FALSE}
knitr::opts_chunk$set(
collapse = TRUE,
comment = "#>"
)
```
# thundeR 
All CAPE parameters are calculated by integrating parcel's positive
buoyancy between level of free convection (LFC) and equilibrium level
(EL). All CIN parameters are calculated by integrating parcel negative
buoyancy between parcel initialization height and level of free
convection (LFC). Most-unstable (MU) parcel is defined based on the
highest theta-e between surface and 3 km above ground level (AGL). A
default mixed-layer (ML) parcel is calculated by averaging theta and
mixing ratio over 0--500 m AGL layer and initializing from surface. If
other user-defined parcel lifting options are choosen, all parameters
that use mixed-layer (ML) parcel (e.g. STP_new) will now use a
user-defined manual-lift (ML) parcel.
## Computed parameters:
Below is the full list of parameters computed and exported with the
`sounding_compute()` function:
**Parcel parameters**
[1] MU_CAPE -- convective available potential energy, derived from the
most-unstable parcel. Units are J/kg.
[2] MU_CAPE_M10 -- convective available potential energy in the
temperature below -10°C, derived from the most-unstable parcel. Units
are J/kg.
[3] MU_CAPE_M10_PT -- convective available potential energy in the
parcel temperature below - 10°C, derived from the most-unstable parcel.
Units are J/kg.
[4] MU_02km_CAPE -- convective available potential energy between
surface and 2 km AGL, derived from the most-unstable parcel. Units are
J/kg.
[5] MU_03km_CAPE -- convective available potential energy between
surface and 3 km AGL, derived from the most-unstable parcel. Units are
J/kg.
[6] MU_HGL_CAPE -- convective available potential energy in a hail
growth layer (between 0°C and −20°C), derived from the most-unstable
parcel. Units are J/kg.
[7] MU_CIN -- convective inhibition, derived from the most-unstable
parcel. Units are J/kg.
[8] MU_LCL_HGT -- height of the lifted condensation level, derived from
the most-unstable parcel. Units are m AGL.
[9] MU_LFC_HGT -- height of the level of free convection, derived from
the most-unstable parcel. Units are m AGL.
[10] MU_EL_HGT -- height of the equilibrium level, derived from the
most-unstable parcel. Units are m AGL.
[11] MU_LI -- lifted index (at 500 hPa), derived from the most-unstable
parcel. Units are K.
[12] MU_LI_M10 -- lifted index (at -10°C), derived from the
most-unstable parcel. Units are K.
[13] MU_WMAX -- estimated updraft speed (a square root of two times
CAPE), derived from the most-unstable parcel. Units are m/s.
[14] MU_EL_TEMP -- temperature of the equilibrium level, derived from
the most-unstable parcel. Units are °C.
[15] MU_LCL_TEMP -- temperature of the lifted condensation level,
derived from the most- unstable parcel. Units are °C.
[16] MU_LFC_TEMP -- temperature of the level of free convection, derived
from the most- unstable parcel. Units are °C.
[17] MU_MIXR -- mixing ratio at the height of the most-unstable parcel.
Units are g/kg.
[18] MU_CAPE_500 -- convective available potential energy, derived from
the most-unstable parcel excluding lowest 500 m AGL. Units are J/kg.
[19] MU_CAPE_500_M10 -- convective available potential energy in the
temperature below - 10°C, derived from the most-unstable parcel
excluding lowest 500 m AGL. Units are J/kg.
[20] MU_CAPE_500_M10_PT -- convective available potential energy in the
parcel temperature below -10°C, derived from the most-unstable parcel
excluding lowest 500 m AGL. Units are J/kg.
[21] MU_CIN_500 -- convective inhibition, derived from the most-unstable
parcel excluding lowest 500 m AGL. Units are J/kg.
[22] MU_LI_500 -- lifted index (500 hPa), derived from the most-unstable
parcel excluding lowest 500 m AGL. Units are K.
[23] MU_LI_500_M10 -- lifted index (at -10°C), derived from the
most-unstable parcel excluding lowest 500 m AGL. Units are K.
[24] SB_CAPE -- convective available potential energy, derived from the
surface-based parcel. Units are J/kg.
[25] SB_CAPE_M10 -- convective available potential energy in the
temperature below -10°C, derived from the surface-based parcel. Units
are J/kg.
[26] SB_CAPE_M10_PT -- convective available potential energy in the
parcel temperature below - 10°C, derived from the surface-based parcel.
Units are J/kg.
[27] SB_02km_CAPE -- convective available potential energy between
surface and 2 km AGL, derived from the surface-based parcel. Units are
J/kg.
[28] SB_03km_CAPE -- convective available potential energy between
surface and 3 km AGL, derived from the surface-based parcel. Units are
J/kg.
[29] SB_HGL_CAPE -- convective available potential energy in a hail
growth layer (between 0°C and −20°C), derived from the surface-based
parcel. Units are J/kg.
[30] SB_CIN -- convective inhibition, derived from the surface-based
parcel. Units are J/kg.
[31] SB_LCL_HGT -- height of the lifted condensation level, derived from
the surface-based parcel. Units are m AGL.
[32] SB_LFC_HGT -- height of the level of free convection, derived from
the surface-based parcel. Units are m AGL.
[33] SB_EL_HGT -- height of the equilibrium level, derived from the
surface-based parcel. Units are m AGL.
[34] SB_LI -- lifted index (500 hPa), derived from the surface-based
parcel. Units are K.
[35] SB_LI_M10 -- lifted index (at -10°C), derived from the
surface-unstable parcel. Units are K.
[36] SB_WMAX -- estimated updraft speed (a square root of two times
CAPE), derived from the surface-based parcel. Units are m/s.
[37] SB_EL_TEMP -- temperature of the equilibrium level, derived from
the surface-based parcel. Units are °C.
[38] SB_LCL_TEMP -- temperature of the lifted condensation level,
derived from the surface- based parcel. Units are °C.
[39] SB_LFC_TEMP -- temperature of the level of free convection, derived
from the surface-based parcel. Units are °C.
[40] SB_MIXR -- mixing ratio at the height of the surface-based parcel.
Units are g/kg.
[41] ML_CAPE -- convective available potential energy, derived from the
mixed-layer parcel. Units are J/kg.
[42] ML_CAPE_M10 -- convective available potential energy in the
temperature below -10°C, derived from the mixed-layer parcel. Units are
J/kg.
[43] ML_CAPE_M10_PT -- convective available potential energy in the
parcel temperature below -10°C, derived from the mixed-layer parcel.
Units are J/kg.
[44] ML_02km_CAPE -- convective available potential energy between
surface and 2 km AGL, derived from the mixed-layer parcel. Units are
J/kg.
[45] ML_03km_CAPE -- convective available potential energy between
surface and 3 km AGL, derived from the mixed-layer parcel. Units are
J/kg.
[46] ML_HGL_CAPE -- convective available potential energy in a hail
growth layer (between 0°C and −20°C), derived from the mixed-layer
parcel. Units are J/kg.
[47] ML_CIN -- convective inhibition, derived from the mixed-layer
parcel. Units are J/kg.
[48] ML_LCL_HGT -- height of the lifted condensation level, derived from
the mixed-layer parcel. Units are m AGL.
[49] ML_LFC_HGT -- height of the level of free convection, derived from
the mixed-layer parcel. Units are m AGL.
[50] ML_EL_HGT -- height of the equilibrium level, derived from the
mixed-layer parcel. Units are m AGL.
[51] ML_LI -- lifted index, derived from the mixed-layer parcel. Units
are K.
[52] ML_LI_M10 -- lifted index (at -10°C), derived from the mixed-layer
parcel. Units are K.
[53] ML_WMAX -- estimated updraft speed (a square root of two times
CAPE), derived from the mixed-layer parcel. Units are m/s.
[54] ML_EL_TEMP -- temperature of the equilibrium level, derived from
the mixed-layer parcel. Units are °C.
[55] ML_LCL_TEMP -- temperature of the lifted condensation level,
derived from the mixed-layer parcel. Units are °C.
[56] ML_LFC_TEMP -- temperature of the level of free convection, derived
from the mixed-layer parcel. Units are °C.
[57] ML_MIXR -- mixing ratio at the height of the surface-based parcel.
Units are g/kg.
**Temperature and moisture parameters:**
[58] LR_0500m -- temperature lapse rate between surface and 500 m AGL.
Units are K/km.
[59] LR_01km -- temperature lapse rate between surface and 1 km AGL.
Units are K/km.
[60] LR_02km -- temperature lapse rate between surface and 2 km AGL.
Units are K/km.
[61] LR_03km -- temperature lapse rate between surface and 3 km AGL.
Units are K/km.
[62] LR_04km -- temperature lapse rate between surface and 4 km AGL.
Units are K/km.
[63] LR_06km -- temperature lapse rate between surface and 6 km AGL.
Units are K/km.
[64] LR_16km -- temperature lapse rate between 1 and 6 km AGL. Units are
K/km.
[65] LR_26km -- temperature lapse rate between 2 and 6 km AGL. Units are
K/km.
[66] LR_24km -- temperature lapse rate between 2 and 4 km AGL. Units are
K/km.
[67] LR_36km -- temperature lapse rate between 3 and 6 km AGL. Units are
K/km.
[68] LR_26km_MAX -- maximum temperature lapse rate between 2 and 6 km
AGL (2 km steps). Units are K/km.
[69] LR_500700hPa -- temperature lapse rate between 500 and 700 hPa (if
below ground level, the lowest available level is considered). Units are
K/km.
[70] LR_500800hPa -- temperature lapse rate between 500 and 800 hPa (if
below ground level, the lowest available level is considered). Units are
K/km.
[71] LR_600800hPa -- temperature lapse rate between 600 and 800 hPa (if
below ground level, the lowest available level is considered). Units are
K/km.
[72] FRZG_HGT -- height of freezing level (0°C), as a first available
level counting from the surface. Units are m AGL.
[73] FRZG_wetbulb_HGT -- height of wet-bulb freezing level (0°C) as a
first available level counting from the surface. Units are m AGL.
[74] HGT_max_thetae_03km -- height of the highest theta-e between
surface and 3 km AGL (defined as most-unstable parcel). Units are m AGL.
[75] HGT_min_thetae_04km -- height of the lowest theta-e between surface
and 4 km AGL. Units are m AGL.
[76] Delta_thetae -- difference in theta-e between the mean in 3--5 km
AGL layer and surface. Units are K.
[77] Delta_thetae_04km -- difference in theta-e between lowest value in
0--4 km AGL and surface. Units are K.
[78] Thetae_01km -- mean theta-e between surface and 1 km AGL. Units are
K.
[79] Thetae_02km -- mean theta-e between surface and 2 km AGL. Units are
K.
[80] DCAPE -- downdraft convective available potential energy,
initialized from 4 km AGL with a mean theta-e in 3--5 km AGL layer.
Units are J/kg.
[81] Cold_Pool_Strength -- difference between surface temperature and
temperature of the downdraft (derived from DCAPE procedure) at the
surface. Units are K.
[82] Wind_Index -- based on original formula from McCann (1994), doi:
[https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(1994)009%3C0532:WNIFFM%3E2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(1994)009%3C0532:WNIFFM%3E2.0.CO;2)
Units indicate estimated wind gust in knots.
[83] PRCP_WATER -- precipitable water (entire column). Units are mm.
[84] Moisture_Flux_02km -- mean wind speed multiplied by mean mixing
ratio in the layer between surface and 2 km AGL (both). Units are
g/s/m2.
[85] RH_01km -- mean relative humidity between surface and 1 km AGL
layer. Units are %.
[86] RH_02km -- mean relative humidity between surface and 2 km AGL
layer. Units are %.
[87] RH_14km -- mean relative humidity between 1 and 4 km AGL layer.
Units are %.
[88] RH_25km -- mean relative humidity between 2 and 5 km AGL layer.
Units are %.
[89] RH_36km -- mean relative humidity between 3 and 6 km AGL layer.
Units are %.
[90] RH_HGL -- mean relative humidity in a hail growth layer (between
0°C and −20°C). Units are %.
**Kinematic parameters:**
If user-defined manual storm motion is choosen, all parameters that use
RM and LM Bunkers storm-motion vectors will now use a user-defined
manual storm motion vector.
[91] BS_0500m -- bulk wind shear between surface and 500 m AGL. Units
are m/s.
[92] BS_01km -- bulk wind shear between surface and 1 km AGL. Units are
m/s.
[93] BS_02km -- bulk wind shear between surface and 2 km AGL. Units are
m/s.
[94] BS_03km -- bulk wind shear between surface and 3 km AGL. Units are
m/s.
[95] BS_06km -- bulk wind shear between surface and 6 km AGL. Units are
m/s.
[96] BS_08km -- bulk wind shear between surface and 8 km AGL. Units are
m/s.
[97] BS_36km -- bulk wind shear between 3 and 6 km AGL. Units are m/s.
[98] BS_26km -- bulk wind shear between 2 and 6 km AGL. Units are m/s.
[99] BS_16km -- bulk wind shear between 1 and 6 km AGL. Units are m/s.
[100] BS_18km -- bulk wind shear between 1 and 8 km AGL. Units are m/s.
[101] BS_EFF_MU -- effective shear between parcel initialization height
and half of the distance to equilibrium level height, based on the
most-unstable parcel. Units are m/s.
[102] BS_EFF_SB -- effective shear between parcel initialization height
and half of the distance to equilibrium level height, based on the
surface-based parcel. Units are m/s.
[103] BS_EFF_ML -- effective shear between parcel initialization height
and half of the distance to equilibrium level height, based on the
mixed-layer parcel. Units are m/s.
[104] BS_SFC_to_M10 -- bulk wind shear between surface and −10°C. Units
are m/s.
[105] BS_1km_to_M10 -- bulk wind shear between 1 km AGL and −10°C. Units
are m/s.
[106] BS_2km_to_M10 -- bulk wind shear between 2 km AGL and −10°C. Units
are m/s.
[107] BS_MU_LFC_to_M10 -- bulk wind shear between most-unstable level of
free convection and −10°C. Units are m/s.
[108] BS_SB_LFC_to_M10 -- bulk wind shear between surface-based level of
free convection and −10°C. Units are m/s.
[109] BS_ML_LFC_to_M10 -- bulk wind shear between mixed-layer level of
free convection and −10°C. Units are m/s.
[110] BS_MW02_SM -- bulk wind shear between 0--2 km mean wind and mean
storm motion vector. Units are m/s.
[111] BS_MW02_RM -- bulk wind shear between 0--2 km mean wind and
right-moving supercell vector. Units are m/s.
[112] BS_MW02_LM -- bulk wind shear between 0--2 km mean wind and
left-moving supercell vector. Units are m/s.
[113] BS_HGL_SM -- bulk wind shear between a hail growth layer (between
0°C and −20°C) and mean storm motion vector. Units are m/s.
[114] BS_HGL_RM -- bulk wind shear between a hail growth layer (between
0°C and −20°C) and right-moving supercell vector. Units are m/s.
[115] BS_HGL_LM -- bulk wind shear between a hail growth layer (between
0°C and −20°C) and left-moving supercell vector. Units are m/s.
[116] MW_0500m -- mean wind speed between surface and 500 m AGL layer.
Units are m/s.
[117] MW_01km -- mean wind speed between surface and 1 km AGL layer.
Units are m/s.
[118] MW_02km -- mean wind speed between surface and 2 km AGL layer.
Units are m/s.
[119] MW_03km -- mean wind speed between surface and 3 km AGL layer.
Units are m/s.
[120] MW_06km -- mean wind speed between surface and 6 km AGL layer.
Units are m/s.
[121] MW_13km -- mean wind speed between 1 and 3 km AGL layer. Units are
m/s.
[122] SRH_100m_RM -- storm-relative helicity between surface and 100m
AGL for right-moving supercell vector. Units are m2/s2.
[123] SRH_250m_RM -- storm-relative helicity between surface and 250m
AGL for right-moving supercell vector. Units are m2/s2.
[124] SRH_500m_RM -- storm-relative helicity between surface and 500m
AGL for right-moving supercell vector. Units are m2/s2.
[125] SRH_1km_RM -- storm-relative helicity between surface and 1 km AGL
for right-moving supercell vector. Units are m2/s2.
[126] SRH_3km_RM -- storm-relative helicity between surface and 3 km AGL
for right-moving supercell vector. Units are m2/s2.
[127] SRH_36km_RM -- storm-relative helicity between 3 and 6 km AGL for
right-moving supercell vector. Units are m2/s2.
[128] SRH_100m_LM -- storm-relative helicity between surface and 100m
AGL for left-moving supercell vector. Units are m2/s2.
[129] SRH_250m_LM -- storm-relative helicity between surface and 250m
AGL for left-moving supercell vector. Units are m2/s2.
[130] SRH_500m_LM -- storm-relative helicity between surface and 500m
AGL for left-moving supercell vector. Units are m2/s2.
[131] SRH_1km_LM -- storm-relative helicity between surface and 1 km AGL
for left-moving supercell vector. Units are m2/s2.
[132] SRH_3km_LM -- storm-relative helicity between surface and 3 km AGL
for left-moving supercell vector. Units are m2/s2.
[133] SRH_36km_LM -- storm-relative helicity between 3 and 6 km AGL for
left-moving supercell vector. Units are m2/s2.
[134] SV_500m_RM -- streamwise vorticity between surface and 500 m AGL
for right-moving supercell vector. Units are 1/s.
[135] SV_01km_RM -- streamwise vorticity between surface and 1 km AGL
for right-moving supercell vector. Units are 1/s.
[136] SV_03km_RM -- streamwise vorticity between surface and 3 km AGL
for right-moving supercell vector. Units are 1/s.
[137] SV_500m_LM -- streamwise vorticity between surface and 500 m AGL
for left-moving supercell vector. Units are 1/s.
[138] SV_01km_LM -- streamwise vorticity between surface and 1 km AGL
for left-moving supercell vector. Units are 1/s.
[139] SV_03km_LM -- streamwise vorticity between surface and 3 km AGL
for left-moving supercell vector. Units are 1/s.
[140] MW_SR_500m_RM -- storm-relative mean wind between surface and 500
m AGL for right- moving supercell vector. Units are m/s.
[141] MW_SR_01km_RM -- storm-relative mean wind between surface and 500
m AGL for right- moving supercell vector. Units are m/s.
[142] MW_SR_03km_RM -- storm-relative mean wind between surface and 3 km
AGL for right- moving supercell vector. Units are m/s.
[143] MW_SR_500m_LM -- storm-relative mean wind between surface and 500
m AGL for left- moving supercell vector. Units are m/s.
[144] MW_SR_01km_LM -- storm-relative mean wind between surface and 500
m AGL for left- moving supercell vector. Units are m/s.
[145] MW_SR_03km_LM -- storm-relative mean wind between surface and 3 km
AGL for left- moving supercell vector. Units are m/s.
[146] MW_SR_VM_500m_RM -- storm-relative mean wind (using a mean of
vector magnitude) between surface and 500 m AGL for right-moving
supercell vector. Units are m/s.
[147] MW_SR_VM_01km_RM -- storm-relative mean wind (using a mean of
vector magnitude) between surface and 500 m AGL for right-moving
supercell vector. Units are m/s.
[148] MW_SR_VM_03km_RM -- storm-relative mean wind (using a mean of
vector magnitude) between surface and 3 km AGL for right-moving
supercell vector. Units are m/s.
[149] MW_SR_VM_500m_LM -- storm-relative mean wind (using a mean of
vector magnitude) between surface and 500 m AGL for left-moving
supercell vector. Units are m/s.
[150] MW_SR_VM_01km_LM -- storm-relative mean wind (using a mean of
vector magnitude) between surface and 500 m AGL for left-moving
supercell vector. Units are m/s.
[151] MW_SR_VM_03km_LM -- storm-relative mean wind (using a mean of
vector magnitude) between surface and 3 km AGL for left-moving supercell
vector. Units are m/s.
[152] SV_FRA_500m_RM -- streamwise vorticity between surface and 500 m
AGL for right- moving supercell vector. Units are 1/s.
[153] SV_FRA_01km_RM -- streamwise vorticity fraction between surface
and 1 km AGL for right-moving supercell vector. Units are 1/s.
[154] SV_FRA_03km_RM -- streamwise vorticity fraction between surface
and 3 km AGL for right-moving supercell vector. Units are 1/s.
[155] SV_FRA_500m_LM -- streamwise vorticity fraction between surface
and 500 m AGL for left-moving supercell vector. Units are 1/s.
[156] SV_FRA_01km_LM -- streamwise vorticity fraction between surface
and 1 km AGL for left- moving supercell vector. Units are 1/s.
[157] SV_FRA_03km_LM -- streamwise vorticity fraction between surface
and 3 km AGL for left- moving supercell vector. Units are 1/s.
[158] Bunkers_RM_A -- azimuth for right-moving supercell vector. See
Bunkers et al. (2002), doi:
[https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2000)015%3C0061:PSMUAN%3E2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2000)015%3C0061:PSMUAN%3E2.0.CO;2)
for further details. Units are °.
[159] Bunkers_RM_M -- wind speed for right-moving supercell vector. See
Bunkers et al. (2002), doi:
[https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2000)015%3C0061:PSMUAN%3E2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2000)015%3C0061:PSMUAN%3E2.0.CO;2) for further details. Units are m/s.
[160] Bunkers_LM_A -- azimuth for left-moving supercell vector. See
Bunkers et al. (2002), doi:
[https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2000)015%3C0061:PSMUAN%3E2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2000)015%3C0061:PSMUAN%3E2.0.CO;2) for further details. Units are °.
[161] Bunkers_LM_M -- wind speed for left-moving supercell vector. See
Bunkers et al. (2002), doi:
[https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2000)015%3C0061:PSMUAN%3E2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2000)015%3C0061:PSMUAN%3E2.0.CO;2)
for further details. Units are m/s.
[162] Bunkers_MW_A -- azimuth for mean storm motion vector. See Bunkers
et al. (2002), doi:
[https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2000)015%3C0061:PSMUAN%3E2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2000)015%3C0061:PSMUAN%3E2.0.CO;2)
for further details. Units are °.
[163] Bunkers_MW_M -- wind speed for mean storm motion vector. See
Bunkers et al. (2002), doi:
[https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2000)015%3C0061:PSMUAN%3E2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2000)015%3C0061:PSMUAN%3E2.0.CO;2)
for further details. Units are m/s.
[164] Corfidi_downwind_A -- azimuth for Corfidi downwind vector. See
Corfidi (2003) doi:
[https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2003)018%3C0997:CPAMPF%3E2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2003)018%3C0997:CPAMPF%3E2.0.CO;2)
for further details. Units are °.
[165] Corfidi_downwind_M -- wind speed for Corfidi downwind vector. See
Corfidi (2003) doi:
[https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2003)018%3C0997:CPAMPF%3E2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2003)018%3C0997:CPAMPF%3E2.0.CO;2) for further details. Units are m/s.
[166] Corfidi_upwind_A -- azimuth for Corfidi upwind vector. See Corfidi
(2003) doi:
[https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2003)018%3C0997:CPAMPF%3E2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2003)018%3C0997:CPAMPF%3E2.0.CO;2)
for further details. Units are °.
[167] Corfidi_upwind_M -- wind speed for Corfidi upwind vector. See
Corfidi (2003) doi: [https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2003)018%3C0997:CPAMPF%3E2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(2003)018%3C0997:CPAMPF%3E2.0.CO;2)
for further details. Units are m/s.
**Composite parameters:**
[168] K_Index -- based on original formula from George (1960): "Weather
Forecasting for Aeronautics" Academic Press, London, 1960, p. 673. Units
are K.
[169] Showalter_Index -- based on original formula from Showalter
(1953), doi: . Units are K.
[170] TotalTotals_Index -- based on original formula from Miller (1972):
"Notes on analysis and severe-storm forecasting procedures of the Air
Force Global Weather Central", AWS Tech. Rpt. 200(rev), Air Weather
Service, Scott AFB, IL. Units are K.
[171] SWEAT_Index -- based on original formula from Bidner (1970): "The
Air Force Global Weather Central severe weather threat (SWEAT) index---A
preliminary report". Air Weather Service Aerospace Sciences Review, AWS
RP 105-2, No. 70-3, 2-5. Parameter is dimensionless.
[172] STP_fix -- (significant tornado parameter fixed-layer) based on
the fixed layer formula using surface-based CAPE and CIN. Parameter is
dimensionless.
[173] STP_new -- (significant tornado parameter) based on the formula
from Coffer et al. (2019), doi:
. Parameter is dimensionless.
[174] STP_fix_LM -- (significant tornado parameter fixed-layer) based on
the fixed layer formula using surface-based CAPE and CIN. This version
uses left-moving supercell vector for SRH calculation and is dedicated
for Southern Hemisphere. Parameter is dimensionless.
[175] STP_new_LM -- (significant tornado parameter) based on the formula
from Coffer et al. (2019), doi:
. This version uses left-moving
supercell vector for SRH calculation and is dedicated for Southern
Hemisphere. Parameter is dimensionless.
[176] SCP_fix -- (supercell composite parameter fixed-layer) based on
Thompson et al. (2007), "An update to the supercell composite and
significant tornado parameters". Preprints, 22nd Conf. on Severe Local
Storms, Hyannis, MA, Amer. Meteor. Soc. P (Vol. 8), but with effective
SRH replaced with surface to 3 km AGL SRH and effective bulk wind shear
replaced with surface to 6 km AGL bulk wind shear. Based on
most-unstable CAPE. Parameter is dimensionless.
[177] SCP_new -- (supercell composite parameter) based on formula from
Gropp and Davenport (2018), doi:
, but with effective SRH
replaced with surface to 3 km AGL SRH. This version uses effective shear
and CIN term. Based on most-unstable parcel. Parameter is dimensionless.
[178] SCP_fix_LM -- (supercell composite parameter fixed-layer) based on
Thompson et al. (2007), "An update to the supercell composite and
significant tornado parameters". Preprints, 22nd Conf. on Severe Local
Storms, Hyannis, MA, Amer. Meteor. Soc. P (Vol. 8), but with effective
SRH replaced with surface to 3 km AGL SRH and effective bulk wind shear
replaced with surface to 6 km AGL bulk wind shear. Based on
most-unstable CAPE. This version uses left-moving supercell vector for
SRH calculation and is dedicated for Southern Hemisphere. Parameter is
dimensionless.
[179] SCP_new_LM -- (supercell composite parameter) based on formula
from Gropp and Davenport (2018), doi:
, but with effective SRH
replaced with surface to 3 km AGL SRH. This version uses effective shear
and CIN term. Based on most- unstable parcel. This version uses
left-moving supercell vector for SRH calculation and is dedicated for
Southern Hemisphere. Parameter is dimensionless.
[180] SHIP -- (significant hail parameter), based on formula currently
used on the Storm Prediction Center mesoanalysis
() as of 1 March 2021.
Parameter is dimensionless.
[181] HSI -- (hail size index), based on formula from Czernecki et al.
(2019), doi: . Units are
cm.
[182] DCP -- based on formula currently used on the Storm Prediction
Center mesoanalysis () as
of 1 March 2021. Parameter is dimensionless.
[183] MU_WMAXSHEAR -- most-unstable WMAX multiplied by surface to 6 km
AGL bulk wind shear. See Taszarek et al. (2020), doi:
for further details on
WMAXSHEAR. Units are m2/s2.
[184] SB_WMAXSHEAR -- surface-based WMAX multiplied by surface to 6 km
AGL bulk wind shear. See Taszarek et al. (2020), doi:
for further details on
WMAXSHEAR. Units are m2/s2.
[185] ML_WMAXSHEAR -- mixed-layer WMAX multiplied by surface to 6 km AGL
bulk wind shear. See Taszarek et al. (2020), doi:
for further details on
WMAXSHEAR. Units are m2/s2.
[186] MU_EFF_WMAXSHEAR -- most-unstable WMAX multiplied by most-unstable
effective bulk wind shear. See Taszarek et al. (2020), doi:
for further details on
WMAXSHEAR. Units are m2/s2.
[187] SB_EFF_WMAXSHEAR -- surface-based WMAX multiplied by surface-based
effective bulk wind shear. See Taszarek et al. (2020), doi:
for further details on
WMAXSHEAR. Units are m2/s2.
[188] ML_EFF_WMAXSHEAR -- mixed-layer WMAX multiplied by mixed-layer
effective bulk wind shear. See Taszarek et al. (2020), doi:
for further details on
WMAXSHEAR. Units are m2/s2.
[189] EHI_500m -- (energy helicity index), surface-based CAPE multiplied
by 0--500 m storm- relative helicity for right-moving supercells and
divided by 160000. Units are m2/s2.
[190] EHI_01km -- (energy helicity index), surface-based CAPE multiplied
by 0--1 km storm- relative helicity for right-moving supercells and
divided by 160000. Units are m2/s2.
[191] EHI_03km -- (energy helicity index), surface-based CAPE multiplied
by 0--3 km storm- relative helicity for right-moving supercells and
divided by 160000. Units are m2/s2.
[192] EHI_500m_LM -- (energy helicity index), surface-based CAPE
multiplied by 0--500 m storm-relative helicity for right-moving
supercells and divided by 160000. This version uses left- moving
supercell vector for SRH calculation and is dedicated for Southern
Hemisphere. Units are m2/s2.
[193] EHI_01km_LM -- (energy helicity index), surface-based CAPE
multiplied by 0--1 km storm- relative helicity for right-moving
supercells and divided by 160000. This version uses left-moving
supercell vector for SRH calculation and is dedicated for Southern
Hemisphere. Units are m2/s2.
[194] EHI_03km_LM -- (energy helicity index), surface-based CAPE
multiplied by 0--3 km storm- relative helicity for right-moving
supercells and divided by 160000. This version uses left-moving
supercell vector for SRH calculation and is dedicated for Southern
Hemisphere. Units are m2/s2.
[195] SHERBS3 -- based on the formula available in Sherburn and Parker
(2014), doi: . This version
uses 0--3 km bulk wind shear term. Parameter is dimensionless.
[196] SHERBE -- based on the formula available in Sherburn and Parker
(2014), doi: . This version
uses effective bulk wind shear term. Parameter is dimensionless.
[197] SHERBS3_v2 -- based on the formula available in Sherburn and
Parker (2014), doi: , but with
700-500 hPa lapse rate replaced with maximum 2 km lapse rate between 2
and 6 km AGL. This version uses 0--3 km bulk wind shear term. Parameter
is dimensionless.
[198] SHERBE_v2 -- based on the formula available in Sherburn and Parker
(2014), doi: , but with
700-500 hPa lapse rate replaced with maximum 2 km lapse rate between 2
and 6 km AGL. This version uses effective bulk wind shear term.
Parameter is dimensionless.
[199] DEI -- (downburst environment index), a composite product of
WMAXSHEAR and Cold Pool Strengths, based on the formula available in
Romanic et al. (2022), doi:
. Parameter is
dimensionless.
[200] DEI_eff -- (downburst environment index), a composite product of
WMAXSHEAR and Cold Pool Strengths but using an effective bulk wind shear
layer, based on the formula available in Romanic et al. (2022), doi:
. Parameter is
dimensionless.
[201] TIP -- (thunderstorm intensity parameter), an experimental
composite product of CAPE, bulk wind shear, precipitable water and
storm-relative helicity. Parameter is dimensionless
## Accuracy tables for `sounding_compute()`
The interpolation algorithm used in the `sounding_compute()` function
impacts accuracy of parameters such as CAPE or CIN and the performance
of the script. The valid options for the `accuracy` parameter are 1, 2
or 3:
`accuracy = 1` - High performance but low accuracy. Dedicated for large
dataset when output data needs to be quickly available (e.g. operational
numerical weather models). This option is around 20 times faster than
high accuracy (3) setting. Interpolation is peformed for 60 levels (m
AGL):
```{r accuracy1, echo = FALSE}
c(0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1600, 1800, 2000, 2200, 2400, 2600, 2800, 3000, 3200, 3400, 3600, 3800, 4000, 4200, 4400, 4600, 4800, 5000, 5200, 5400, 5600, 5800, 6000, 6500, 7000, 7500, 8000, 8500, 9000, 9500, 10000, 10500, 11000, 11500, 12000, 12500, 13000, 13500, 14000, 15000, 16000, 17000, 18000, 19000, 20000)
```
`accuracy = 2` - Compromise between script performance and accuracy.
Recommended for efficient processing of large numerical weather
prediction datasets such as meteorological reanalyses for research
studies. This option is around 10 times faster than high accuracy (3)
setting. Interpolation is peformed for 318 levels (m AGL):
```{r accuracy2, echo = FALSE}
c(0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500, 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, 580, 590, 600, 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 700, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 775, 800, 825, 850, 875, 900, 925, 950, 975, 1000, 1025, 1050, 1075, 1100, 1125, 1150, 1175, 1200, 1225, 1250, 1275, 1300, 1325, 1350, 1375, 1400, 1425, 1450, 1475, 1500, 1525, 1550, 1575, 1600, 1625, 1650, 1675, 1700, 1725, 1750, 1775, 1800, 1825, 1850, 1875, 1900, 1925, 1950, 1975, 2000, 2025, 2050, 2075, 2100, 2125, 2150, 2175, 2200, 2225, 2250, 2275, 2300, 2325, 2350, 2375, 2400, 2425, 2450, 2475, 2500, 2525, 2550, 2575, 2600, 2625, 2650, 2675, 2700, 2725, 2750, 2775, 2800, 2825, 2850, 2875, 2900, 2925, 2950, 2975, 3000, 3050, 3100, 3150, 3200, 3250, 3300, 3350, 3400, 3450, 3500, 3550, 3600, 3650, 3700, 3750, 3800, 3850, 3900, 3950, 4000, 4050, 4100, 4150, 4200, 4250, 4300, 4350, 4400, 4450, 4500, 4550, 4600, 4650, 4700, 4750, 4800, 4850, 4900, 4950, 5000, 5050, 5100, 5150, 5200, 5250, 5300, 5350, 5400, 5450, 5500, 5550, 5600, 5650, 5700, 5750, 5800, 5850, 5900, 5950, 6000, 6100, 6200, 6300, 6400, 6500, 6600, 6700, 6800, 6900, 7000, 7100, 7200, 7300, 7400, 7500, 7600, 7700, 7800, 7900, 8000, 8100, 8200, 8300, 8400, 8500, 8600, 8700, 8800, 8900, 9000, 9100, 9200, 9300, 9400, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800, 9900, 10000, 10100, 10200, 10300, 10400, 10500, 10600, 10700, 10800, 10900, 11000, 11100, 11200, 11300, 11400, 11500, 11600, 11700, 11800, 11900, 12000, 12250, 12500, 12750, 13000, 13250, 13500, 13750, 14000, 14250, 14500, 14750, 15000, 15250, 15500, 15750, 16000, 16250, 16500, 16750, 17000, 17250, 17500, 17750, 18000, 18250, 18500, 18750, 19000, 19250, 19500, 19750, 20000)
```
`accuracy = 3`: High accuracy but low performance setting. Recommended
for analysing individual profiles. Interpolation is performed with 5 m
vertical resolution step up to 20 km AGL (i.e.: `0, 5, 10, ... 20000` m
AGL)
## Performance comparison:
```{r performance, echo=TRUE}
library(thunder)
data("sounding_vienna")
t1 = system.time(sounding_compute(sounding_vienna$pressure, sounding_vienna$altitude, sounding_vienna$temp, sounding_vienna$dpt, sounding_vienna$wd, sounding_vienna$ws, accuracy = 1))
t2 = system.time(sounding_compute(sounding_vienna$pressure, sounding_vienna$altitude, sounding_vienna$temp, sounding_vienna$dpt, sounding_vienna$wd, sounding_vienna$ws, accuracy = 2))
t3 = system.time(sounding_compute(sounding_vienna$pressure, sounding_vienna$altitude, sounding_vienna$temp, sounding_vienna$dpt, sounding_vienna$wd, sounding_vienna$ws, accuracy = 3))
print(t1)
print(t2)
print(t3)
```