Skew-T log-P Diagram edit
The Skew-T log-P diagram is a crucial meteorological tool used for plotting and analyzing vertical profiles of atmospheric temperature, moisture, and wind, providing a comprehensive overview of upper air conditions. The diagram's name originates from its distinctive feature: temperature lines that are skewed at a 45° angle, a modification introduced in 1947 to facilitate analysis, and pressure isobars spaced logarithmically.[1][2]
The Skew-T log-P diagram comprises six sets of fixed lines: temperature lines, pressure lines, dry adiabats, moist adiabats, mixing ratio lines, and wind staffs. Each set serves a specific purpose, aiding meteorologists in understanding atmospheric processes such as the rate of cooling of rising air and the amount of water vapor present at different altitudes.[2]
Data for these vertical atmospheric profiles, known as sounding plots, are derived from sources including radiosondes, dropsondes, aircraft, numerical weather prediction (NWP) model outputs, and satellite sounders. These profiles are used to assess a variety of meteorological conditions, most notably atmospheric stability.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b "Skew-T Mastery". METED. COMET Program, UCAR. 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Skew-T Log-P Diagrams". NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2024.