[nucaps-grid-co-total]

Total Column Carbon Monoxide represents the amount of carbon monoxide in the atmospheric column in units of 10e18 molecules/cm2. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020

[nucaps-grid-ctf-lower]

NUCAPS retrieves Cloud Top Fraction, or the portion of each field of view covered by cloud, on 2 layers (e.g., Upper and Lower). The upper top cloud fraction is the top-most retrievable layer of clouds. The lower top cloud fraction represents the percentage of cloud cover that isn’t obscured by the upper cloud deck. The numbers therefore can exceed 100%. Profiles are typically rejected when the cloud top fraction on either layer exceeds 80%. Cloud top fraction can be used to assess confidence in the retrieval. Retrievals presented with a ‘yellow’ color Quality Flag with a cloud top fraction below 80% may still be usable. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020 or https://vlab.noaa.gov/web/nasa-sport/gridded-nucaps for more information.

[nucaps-grid-ctf-upper]

NUCAPS retrieves Cloud Top Fraction, or the portion of each field of view covered by cloud, on 2 layers (e.g., Upper and Lower). The upper cloud top fraction is the top-most retrievable layer of clouds. The lower cloud top fraction represents the percentage of cloud cover that isn’t obscured by the upper cloud deck. The numbers therefore can exceed 100%. Profiles are typically rejected when the cloud top fraction on either layer exceed 80%. Cloud top fraction can be used to assess confidence in the retrieval. Retrievals presented with a ‘yellow’ color Quality Flag with a cloud top fraction below 80% may still be usable. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020 or https://vlab.noaa.gov/web/nasa-sport/gridded-nucaps for more information.

[nucaps-grid-ctp-lower]

NUCAPS retrieves Cloud Top Pressure, or the air pressure at the top of the cloud in mb, on 2 layers (e.g., Upper and Lower). Cloud Top Pressure is an indication of the height of the cloud top in each of the two layers NUCAPS retrieves. The upper cloud top pressure is the top-most retrievable layer of clouds. The lower cloud top pressure represents the percentage of cloud cover that isn’t obscured by the upper cloud deck. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020 or https://vlab.noaa.gov/web/nasa-sport/gridded-nucaps for more information.

[nucaps-grid-ctp-upper]

NUCAPS retrieves Cloud Top Pressure, or the air pressure at the top of the cloud in mb, on 2 layers (e.g., Upper and Lower). Cloud Top Pressure is an indication of the height of the cloud top in each of the two layers NUCAPS retrieves. The upper cloud top pressure is the top-most retrievable layer of clouds. The lower cloud top pressure represents the percentage of cloud cover that isn’t obscured by the upper cloud deck. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020 or https://vlab.noaa.gov/web/nasa-sport/gridded-nucaps for more information.

[nucaps-grid-ght-300]

Geopotential height approximates the actual height of a pressure surface above mean sea-level. A geopotential height observation represents the height of the pressure surface on which the observation was taken. Geopotential height is valuable for locating troughs and ridges which are the upper level counterparts of surface cyclones and anticyclones.

[nucaps-grid-ght-500]

Geopotential height approximates the actual height of a pressure surface above mean sea-level. A geopotential height observation represents the height of the pressure surface on which the observation was taken. Geopotential height is valuable for locating troughs and ridges which are the upper level counterparts of surface cyclones and anticyclones.

[nucaps-grid-ght-700]

Geopotential height approximates the actual height of a pressure surface above mean sea-level. A geopotential height observation represents the height of the pressure surface on which the observation was taken. Geopotential height is valuable for locating troughs and ridges which are the upper level counterparts of surface cyclones and anticyclones.

[nucaps-grid-ght-850]

Geopotential height approximates the actual height of a pressure surface above mean sea-level. A geopotential height observation represents the height of the pressure surface on which the observation was taken. Geopotential height is valuable for locating troughs and ridges which are the upper level counterparts of surface cyclones and anticyclones.

[nucaps-grid-haines-index-high]

The Haines Index is frequently used to determine the potential for large fire growth (Werth and Ochoa 1993) where the lapse rate and dew point depression represent the stability and moisture of the environment. The pressure levels for the Haines Index calculation are adjusted based on elevation and chosen to negate the impact of diurnal surface temperature changes and surface inversions. The region where the "high" index is most appropriate includes the western states, roughly west of the 100th meridian.

[nucaps-grid-haines-index-low]

The Haines Index is frequently used to determine the potential for large fire growth (Werth and Ochoa 1993) where the lapse rate and dew point depression represent the stability and moisture of the environment. The pressure levels for the Haines Index calculation are adjusted based on elevation and chosen to negate the impact of diurnal surface temperature changes and surface inversions. The region where the "low" index is most appropriate includes the eastern states, from just west of the Mississippi River to the East Coast, excluding the Appalachian Mountains, which are "mid."

[nucaps-grid-haines-index-mid]

The Haines Index is frequently used to determine the potential for large fire growth (Werth and Ochoa 1993) where the lapse rate and dew point depression represent the stability and moisture of the environment. The pressure levels for the Haines Index calculation are adjusted based on elevation and chosen to negate the impact of diurnal surface temperature changes and surface inversions. The region where the "mid" index is most appropriate includes the plains states, from North Dakota south to western Texas and a separate area corresponding to the Appalachian Mountains.

[nucaps-grid-rh-2m]

Relative humidity at 2-meters above ground. Gridded NUCAPS from NASA-SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center). SPoRT has been part of a collaborative effort with JPSS, NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS to provide plan-view and cross-section displays of CrIS/ATMS temperature and moisture soundings in AWIPS (i.e. Gridded NUCAPS). Gridded NUCAPS was originally developed to diagnose Cold Air Aloft (CAA) but can also be used to diagnose the pre-convective environment. Gridded NUCAPS has been evaluated at the Anchorage CWSU for the CAA forecasting challenge and at the Hazardous Weather Testbed for assessing the pre-convective environment. As part of the JPSS NUCAPS Initiative, the team of collaborators is exploring new applications for Gridded NUCAPS and working with developers to baseline the product in AWIPS, McIDAS-V, and RealEarth.

[nucaps-grid-rh-300]

Relative humidity at 300mb. Gridded NUCAPS from NASA-SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center). SPoRT has been part of a collaborative effort with JPSS, NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS to provide plan-view and cross-section displays of CrIS/ATMS temperature and moisture soundings in AWIPS (i.e. Gridded NUCAPS). Gridded NUCAPS was originally developed to diagnose Cold Air Aloft (CAA) but can also be used to diagnose the pre-convective environment. Gridded NUCAPS has been evaluated at the Anchorage CWSU for the CAA forecasting challenge and at the Hazardous Weather Testbed for assessing the pre-convective environment. As part of the JPSS NUCAPS Initiative, the team of collaborators is exploring new applications for Gridded NUCAPS and working with developers to baseline the product in AWIPS, McIDAS-V, and RealEarth.

[nucaps-grid-rh-500]

Relative humidity at 500mb. Gridded NUCAPS from NASA-SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center). SPoRT has been part of a collaborative effort with JPSS, NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS to provide plan-view and cross-section displays of CrIS/ATMS temperature and moisture soundings in AWIPS (i.e. Gridded NUCAPS). Gridded NUCAPS was originally developed to diagnose Cold Air Aloft (CAA) but can also be used to diagnose the pre-convective environment. Gridded NUCAPS has been evaluated at the Anchorage CWSU for the CAA forecasting challenge and at the Hazardous Weather Testbed for assessing the pre-convective environment. As part of the JPSS NUCAPS Initiative, the team of collaborators is exploring new applications for Gridded NUCAPS and working with developers to baseline the product in AWIPS, McIDAS-V, and RealEarth.

[nucaps-grid-rh-700]

Relative humidity at 700mb. Gridded NUCAPS from NASA-SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center). SPoRT has been part of a collaborative effort with JPSS, NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS to provide plan-view and cross-section displays of CrIS/ATMS temperature and moisture soundings in AWIPS (i.e. Gridded NUCAPS). Gridded NUCAPS was originally developed to diagnose Cold Air Aloft (CAA) but can also be used to diagnose the pre-convective environment. Gridded NUCAPS has been evaluated at the Anchorage CWSU for the CAA forecasting challenge and at the Hazardous Weather Testbed for assessing the pre-convective environment. As part of the JPSS NUCAPS Initiative, the team of collaborators is exploring new applications for Gridded NUCAPS and working with developers to baseline the product in AWIPS, McIDAS-V, and RealEarth.

[nucaps-grid-rh-850]

Relative humidity at 850mb. Gridded NUCAPS from NASA-SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center). SPoRT has been part of a collaborative effort with JPSS, NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS to provide plan-view and cross-section displays of CrIS/ATMS temperature and moisture soundings in AWIPS (i.e. Gridded NUCAPS). Gridded NUCAPS was originally developed to diagnose Cold Air Aloft (CAA) but can also be used to diagnose the pre-convective environment. Gridded NUCAPS has been evaluated at the Anchorage CWSU for the CAA forecasting challenge and at the Hazardous Weather Testbed for assessing the pre-convective environment. As part of the JPSS NUCAPS Initiative, the team of collaborators is exploring new applications for Gridded NUCAPS and working with developers to baseline the product in AWIPS, McIDAS-V, and RealEarth.

[nucaps-grid-lr-400-200]

Lapse Rate at 400-200mb represents the rate at which air temperature changes with height in the specified atmosphere layer. Gridded NUCAPS lapse rate is calculated according to the Poisson Equation. Lapse rate can be used to assess atmospheric stability and is most applicable to pre-convective forecasting. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020

[nucaps-grid-lr-700-500]

Lapse Rate at 700-500mb represents the rate at which air temperature changes with height in the specified atmosphere layer. Gridded NUCAPS lapse rate is calculated according to the Poisson Equation. Lapse rate can be used to assess atmospheric stability and is most applicable to pre-convective forecasting. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020

[nucaps-grid-lr-850-300]

Lapse Rate at 850-300mb represents the rate at which air temperature changes with height in the specified atmosphere layer. Gridded NUCAPS lapse rate is calculated according to the Poisson Equation. Lapse rate can be used to assess atmospheric stability and is most applicable to pre-convective forecasting. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020

[nucaps-grid-lr-850-500]

Lapse Rate at 850-500mb represents the rate at which air temperature changes with height in the specified atmosphere layer. Gridded NUCAPS lapse rate is calculated according to the Poisson Equation. Lapse rate can be used to assess atmospheric stability and is most applicable to pre-convective forecasting. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020

[nucaps-grid-lr-850-700]

Lapse Rate at 850-700mb represents the rate at which air temperature changes with height in the specified atmosphere layer. Gridded NUCAPS lapse rate is calculated according to the Poisson Equation. Lapse rate can be used to assess atmospheric stability and is most applicable to pre-convective forecasting. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020

[nucaps-grid-lr-950-850]

Lapse Rate at 950-850mb represents the rate at which air temperature changes with height in the specified atmosphere layer. Gridded NUCAPS lapse rate is calculated according to the Poisson Equation. Lapse rate can be used to assess atmospheric stability and is most applicable to pre-convective forecasting. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020

[nucaps-grid-ch4-total]

Total Column Methane represents the amount of methane in the atmospheric column in units of 10e19 molecules/cm2. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020

[nucaps-grid-o3-anomaly]

Ozone Anomaly is an identifier of stratospheric air compared to total column ozone. This SPoRT developed product is displayed in percent of normal from 0-200%. Shades of blue or values >125% indicate stratospheric air, and the ozone values are anomalous for the month and latitude.

[nucaps-grid-o3-total]

High ozone is a tracer for stratospheric air and tropopause folding which can dynamically affect cyclogenesis or hurricane tropical to extratropical transition, or be a driver for non-convective high wind events in the western U.S. A general rule to identify stratospheric air is 300 Dobson Units (DU). Values range from 100-600 DU.

[nucaps-grid-pw-high]

Precipitable Water represents the water vapor content contained in a vertical column of unit cross-sectional area extending between any two specified levels or the total atmospheric column. It is expressed in terms of the height the water would stand (in millimeters) if completely condensed into the same unit area. Precipitable Water can be used to assess atmospheric moisture content. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020

[nucaps-grid-pw-low]

Precipitable Water represents the water vapor content contained in a vertical column of unit cross-sectional area extending between any two specified levels or the total atmospheric column. It is expressed in terms of the height the water would stand (in millimeters) if completely condensed into the same unit area. Precipitable Water can be used to assess atmospheric moisture content. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020

[nucaps-grid-pw-mid]

Precipitable Water represents the water vapor content contained in a vertical column of unit cross-sectional area extending between any two specified levels or the total atmospheric column. It is expressed in terms of the height the water would stand (in millimeters) if completely condensed into the same unit area. Precipitable Water can be used to assess atmospheric moisture content. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020

[nucaps-grid-pw-top]

Precipitable Water represents the water vapor content contained in a vertical column of unit cross-sectional area extending between any two specified levels or the total atmospheric column. It is expressed in terms of the height the water would stand (in millimeters) if completely condensed into the same unit area. Precipitable Water can be used to assess atmospheric moisture content. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020

[nucaps-grid-pw-total]

Precipitable Water represents the water vapor content contained in a vertical column of unit cross-sectional area extending between any two specified levels or the total atmospheric column. It is expressed in terms of the height the water would stand (in millimeters) if completely condensed into the same unit area. Precipitable Water can be used to assess atmospheric moisture content. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020

[nucaps-grid-qc]

A plan view display of the quality control fields where green indicates successful infrared and microwave retrieval, yellow indicates the infrared retrieval failed but the microwave retrieval was successful, and red indicates both the infrared and microwave retrievals failed. There are cases where the yellow colored soundings are still usable and is not necessarily an indication of moderate quality.

[nucaps-grid-so2-total]

Total Column Sulfur Dioxide represents the amount of sulfur dioxide in the atmospheric column in Dobson Units. Gridded NUCAPS was developed by NASA SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center) through a collaborative effort with the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program involving NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS. See Berndt et al. 2020

[nucaps-grid-temp-2m]

Temperature at 2 meters above ground. Gridded NUCAPS from NASA-SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center). SPoRT has been part of a collaborative effort with JPSS, NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS to provide plan-view and cross-section displays of CrIS/ATMS temperature and moisture soundings in AWIPS (i.e. Gridded NUCAPS). Gridded NUCAPS was originally developed to diagnose Cold Air Aloft (CAA) but can also be used to diagnose the pre-convective environment. Gridded NUCAPS has been evaluated at the Anchorage CWSU for the CAA forecasting challenge and at the Hazardous Weather Testbed for assessing the pre-convective environment. As part of the JPSS NUCAPS Initiative, the team of collaborators is exploring new applications for Gridded NUCAPS and working with developers to baseline the product in AWIPS, McIDAS-V, and RealEarth.

[nucaps-grid-temp-300]

Temperature at 300mb. Gridded NUCAPS from NASA-SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center). SPoRT has been part of a collaborative effort with JPSS, NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS to provide plan-view and cross-section displays of CrIS/ATMS temperature and moisture soundings in AWIPS (i.e. Gridded NUCAPS). Gridded NUCAPS was originally developed to diagnose Cold Air Aloft (CAA) but can also be used to diagnose the pre-convective environment. Gridded NUCAPS has been evaluated at the Anchorage CWSU for the CAA forecasting challenge and at the Hazardous Weather Testbed for assessing the pre-convective environment. As part of the JPSS NUCAPS Initiative, the team of collaborators is exploring new applications for Gridded NUCAPS and working with developers to baseline the product in AWIPS, McIDAS-V, and RealEarth.

[nucaps-grid-temp-500]

Temperature at 500mb. Gridded NUCAPS from NASA-SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center). SPoRT has been part of a collaborative effort with JPSS, NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS to provide plan-view and cross-section displays of CrIS/ATMS temperature and moisture soundings in AWIPS (i.e. Gridded NUCAPS). Gridded NUCAPS was originally developed to diagnose Cold Air Aloft (CAA) but can also be used to diagnose the pre-convective environment. Gridded NUCAPS has been evaluated at the Anchorage CWSU for the CAA forecasting challenge and at the Hazardous Weather Testbed for assessing the pre-convective environment. As part of the JPSS NUCAPS Initiative, the team of collaborators is exploring new applications for Gridded NUCAPS and working with developers to baseline the product in AWIPS, McIDAS-V, and RealEarth.

[nucaps-grid-temp-700]

Temperature at 700mb. Gridded NUCAPS from NASA-SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center). SPoRT has been part of a collaborative effort with JPSS, NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS to provide plan-view and cross-section displays of CrIS/ATMS temperature and moisture soundings in AWIPS (i.e. Gridded NUCAPS). Gridded NUCAPS was originally developed to diagnose Cold Air Aloft (CAA) but can also be used to diagnose the pre-convective environment. Gridded NUCAPS has been evaluated at the Anchorage CWSU for the CAA forecasting challenge and at the Hazardous Weather Testbed for assessing the pre-convective environment. As part of the JPSS NUCAPS Initiative, the team of collaborators is exploring new applications for Gridded NUCAPS and working with developers to baseline the product in AWIPS, McIDAS-V, and RealEarth.

[nucaps-grid-temp-850]

Temperature at 850mb. Gridded NUCAPS from NASA-SPoRT (Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center). SPoRT has been part of a collaborative effort with JPSS, NOAA NWS, STC, CIRA, GINA, and SSEC/CIMSS to provide plan-view and cross-section displays of CrIS/ATMS temperature and moisture soundings in AWIPS (i.e. Gridded NUCAPS). Gridded NUCAPS was originally developed to diagnose Cold Air Aloft (CAA) but can also be used to diagnose the pre-convective environment. Gridded NUCAPS has been evaluated at the Anchorage CWSU for the CAA forecasting challenge and at the Hazardous Weather Testbed for assessing the pre-convective environment. As part of the JPSS NUCAPS Initiative, the team of collaborators is exploring new applications for Gridded NUCAPS and working with developers to baseline the product in AWIPS, McIDAS-V, and RealEarth.

[nucaps-grid-trop-level]

The Tropopause Level product was developed to assess the depth of the stratospheric intrusion or tropopause fold to anticipate rapid cyclogenesis or hurricane tropical to extratropical transition. The seasonal variation of ozone at the dynamic tropopause (2 PVU) by Thouret et al. (2006) is used to identify the tropopause height in mb by matching the level where the ozone value is greater than or equal to the Thouret et al. (2006) value.