Introduction to the thundeR package

Example 1

Draw Skew-T, hodograph and convective parameters on a single layout and export to png file:

library(thunder)
data("sounding_vienna") # load example dataset (Vienna rawinsonde profile for 23 Aug 2011 12UTC):
pressure = sounding_vienna$pressure # vector of pressure [hPa]
altitude = sounding_vienna$altitude # vector of altitude [meters]
temp = sounding_vienna$temp  # vector of temperature [degree Celsius]
dpt = sounding_vienna$dpt # vector of dew point temperature [degree Celsius]
wd = sounding_vienna$wd # vector of wind direction [azimuth in degrees]
ws = sounding_vienna$ws # vector of wind speed [knots]
sounding_save(filename = "Vienna.png", title = "Vienna - 23 August 2011 1200 UTC", pressure, altitude, temp, dpt, wd, ws)
#> Your display device is 10 x 6 in. 
#> It is recommended to use at least 10 x 7.5 in. plotting window 
#> or consider saving the layout into file

Example 2

Download North Platte rawinsonde profile for 03 Jul 1999 00UTC and export to png file:

profile = get_sounding(wmo_id = 72562, yy = 1999, mm = 7, dd = 3, hh = 0)
#> [1] "http://weather.uwyo.edu/cgi-bin/sounding?region=europe&TYPE=TEXT%3ALIST&YEAR=1999&MONTH=07&FROM=0300&TO=0300&STNM=72562"
#> /var/folders/lw/3fnnk87n4q1dkl35s2_p24h80000gn/T//RtmpmShbLB/file4bc9506766ac
head(profile) # show first few rows of downloaded dataset
#>   pressure altitude temp dpt  wd ws
#> 3      906      849   32  26 110 14
#> 4      899      914   31  25 120 14
#> 5      869     1219   28  22 145 13
#> 6      850     1414   26  21 155 15
#> 7      811     1829   22  19 175 17
#> 8      802     1924   21  19 183 17
sounding_save(filename = "NorthPlatte.png", title = "North Platte - 03 July 1999 0000 UTC", profile$pressure, profile$altitude, profile$temp, profile$dpt, profile$wd, profile$ws)
#> Your display device is 10 x 6 in. 
#> It is recommended to use at least 10 x 7.5 in. plotting window 
#> or consider saving the layout into file

Example 3

Compute convective parameters based on a sample vertical profile data:

pressure = c(1000, 855, 700, 500, 300, 100, 10) # pressure [hPa]
altitude = c(0, 1500, 2500, 6000, 8500, 12000, 25000) # altitude [meters]
temp = c(25, 10, 0, -15, -30, -50, -92) # temperature [degree Celsius]
dpt = c(20, 5, -5, -30, -55, -80, -99) # dew point temperature [degree Celsius]
wd = c(0, 90, 135, 180, 270, 350, 0) # wind direction [azimuth in degress]
ws = c(5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 5, 0) # wind speed [knots]
accuracy = 2 # accuracy of computations where 3 = high (slow), 2 = medium (recommended), 1 = low (fast)
options(digits = 2) # change output formatting precision 
sounding_compute(pressure, altitude, temp, dpt, wd, ws, accuracy)
#>             MU_CAPE        MU_03km_CAPE         MU_HGL_CAPE              MU_CIN 
#>             2195.41              575.59             1568.01                0.00 
#>          MU_LCL_HGT          MU_LFC_HGT           MU_EL_HGT               MU_LI 
#>              730.00              730.00             8200.00               -9.63 
#>             MU_WMAX          MU_EL_TEMP         MU_LCL_TEMP         MU_LFC_TEMP 
#>               66.26              -28.20               17.70               17.70 
#>             MU_MIXR             SB_CAPE        SB_03km_CAPE         SB_HGL_CAPE 
#>               14.88             2195.41              575.59             1568.01 
#>              SB_CIN          SB_LCL_HGT          SB_LFC_HGT           SB_EL_HGT 
#>                0.00              730.00              730.00             8200.00 
#>               SB_LI             SB_WMAX          SB_EL_TEMP         SB_LCL_TEMP 
#>               -9.63               66.26              -28.20               17.70 
#>         SB_LFC_TEMP             SB_MIXR             ML_CAPE        ML_03km_CAPE 
#>               17.70               14.88             1559.41              416.88 
#>         ML_HGL_CAPE              ML_CIN          ML_LCL_HGT          ML_LFC_HGT 
#>             1187.96                0.00              975.00              975.00 
#>           ML_EL_HGT               ML_LI             ML_WMAX          ML_EL_TEMP 
#>             7800.00               -7.15               55.85              -25.80 
#>         ML_LCL_TEMP         ML_LFC_TEMP             ML_MIXR             LR_01km 
#>               15.25               15.25               13.02              -10.00 
#>             LR_03km             LR_24km             LR_36km        LR_500700hPa 
#>               -9.05               -5.77               -4.29               -4.29 
#>        LR_500800hPa            FRZG_HGT    FRZG_wetbulb_HGT HGT_max_thetae_03km 
#>               -6.67             2500.00             2300.00                0.00 
#> HGT_min_thetae_04km        Delta_thetae    Delta_thetae_HGL               DCAPE 
#>             3700.00               28.00               26.67              578.58 
#>  Cold_Pool_Strength          Wind_Index          PRCP_WATER  Moisture_Flux_02km 
#>              300.81               34.12               27.10               30.43 
#>             RH_02km             RH_25km              RH_HGL             BS_01km 
#>                0.72                0.56                0.46                3.83 
#>             BS_02km             BS_03km             BS_06km             BS_08km 
#>                8.78               12.66               18.01               17.41 
#>             BS_36km             BS_18km           BS_EFF_MU           BS_EFF_SB 
#>                9.37               20.28               14.14               14.14 
#>           BS_EFF_ML       BS_SFC_to_HGL    BS_MU_LFC_to_HGL    BS_SB_LFC_to_HGL 
#>               13.82               15.51               14.07               14.07 
#>    BS_ML_LFC_to_HGL             MW_01km             MW_02km             MW_06km 
#>               13.69                2.43                3.35                7.81 
#>             MW_13km         SRH_100m_RM         SRH_500m_RM          SRH_1km_RM 
#>                6.84                3.87               19.33               39.63 
#>          SRH_3km_RM         SRH_100m_LM         SRH_500m_LM          SRH_1km_LM 
#>              152.52                1.37                6.83               14.00 
#>          SRH_3km_LM        Bunkers_RM_A        Bunkers_RM_M        Bunkers_LM_A 
#>              -13.13              209.40                7.79              122.06 
#>        Bunkers_LM_M        Bunkers_MW_A        Bunkers_MW_M             K_Index 
#>               13.18              151.95                7.81               24.35 
#>     Showalter_Index   TotalTotals_Index         SWEAT_Index                 STP 
#>                3.90               44.35              106.42                0.35 
#>             STP_new                 SCP             SCP_new                SHIP 
#>                0.19                6.03                4.73                0.61 
#>                 DCP        MU_WMAXSHEAR        SB_WMAXSHEAR        ML_WMAXSHEAR 
#>                1.08             1193.11             1193.11             1005.54 
#>    MU_EFF_WMAXSHEAR    SB_EFF_WMAXSHEAR    ML_EFF_WMAXSHEAR 
#>              936.94              936.94              771.71


#             MU_CAPE        MU_03km_CAPE         MU_HGL_CAPE              MU_CIN 
#             2195.41              575.59             1568.01                0.00 
#          MU_LCL_HGT          MU_LFC_HGT           MU_EL_HGT               MU_LI 
#              730.00              730.00             8200.00               -9.63 
#             MU_WMAX          MU_EL_TEMP         MU_LCL_TEMP         MU_LFC_TEMP 
#               66.26              -28.20               17.70               17.70 
#             MU_MIXR             SB_CAPE        SB_03km_CAPE         SB_HGL_CAPE 
#               14.88             2195.41              575.59             1568.01 
#              SB_CIN          SB_LCL_HGT          SB_LFC_HGT           SB_EL_HGT 
#                0.00              730.00              730.00             8200.00 
#               SB_LI             SB_WMAX          SB_EL_TEMP         SB_LCL_TEMP 
#               -9.63               66.26              -28.20               17.70 
#         SB_LFC_TEMP             SB_MIXR             ML_CAPE        ML_03km_CAPE 
#               17.70               14.88             1559.41              416.88 
#         ML_HGL_CAPE              ML_CIN          ML_LCL_HGT          ML_LFC_HGT 
#             1187.96                0.00              975.00              975.00 
#           ML_EL_HGT               ML_LI             ML_WMAX          ML_EL_TEMP 
#             7800.00               -7.15               55.85              -25.80 
#         ML_LCL_TEMP         ML_LFC_TEMP             ML_MIXR             LR_01km 
#               15.25               15.25               13.02              -10.00 
#             LR_03km             LR_24km             LR_36km        LR_500700hPa 
#               -9.05               -5.77               -4.29               -4.29 
#        LR_500800hPa            FRZG_HGT    FRZG_wetbulb_HGT HGT_max_thetae_03km 
#               -6.67             2500.00             2300.00                0.00 
# HGT_min_thetae_04km        Delta_thetae               DCAPE  Cold_Pool_Strength 
#             3700.00               28.46              595.13               12.77 
#        Wind_Index            PRCP_WATER  Moisture_Flux_02km             RH_02km 
#               34.12               27.10               28.49                0.72 
#             RH_25km              RH_HGL             BS_01km             BS_02km 
#                0.58                0.46                3.83                8.78 
#             BS_03km             BS_06km             BS_08km             BS_36km 
#               12.66               18.01               17.41                9.37 
#             BS_18km           BS_EFF_MU           BS_EFF_SB           BS_EFF_ML 
#               20.28               14.14               14.14               13.82 
#       BS_SFC_to_HGL    BS_MU_LFC_to_HGL    BS_SB_LFC_to_HGL    BS_ML_LFC_to_HGL 
#               15.51               14.07               14.07               13.69 
#             MW_01km             MW_02km             MW_06km             MW_13km 
#                2.36                2.81                5.14                6.88 
#         SRH_100m_RM         SRH_500m_RM          SRH_1km_RM          SRH_3km_RM 
#                2.87               14.37               29.47              136.42 
#         SRH_100m_LM         SRH_500m_LM          SRH_1km_LM          SRH_3km_LM 
#                0.30                1.51                3.10              -30.53 
#             K_Index     Showalter_Index   TotalTotals_Index         SWEAT_Index 
#               24.35                3.90               44.35              106.42 
#                 STP             STP_new                 SCP             SCP_new 
#                0.26                0.14                5.39                4.23 
#                SHIP                 DCP        MU_WMAXSHEAR        SB_WMAXSHEAR 
#                0.61                0.73             1193.11             1193.11 
#        ML_WMAXSHEAR    MU_EFF_WMAXSHEAR    SB_EFF_WMAXSHEAR    ML_EFF_WMAXSHEAR 
#             1005.54              936.94              936.94              771.71

Example 4

Download sounding and draw hodograph:

chanhassen = get_sounding(wmo_id = 72649, yy = 2001, mm = 5, dd = 10, hh = 00)
#> [1] "http://weather.uwyo.edu/cgi-bin/sounding?region=europe&TYPE=TEXT%3ALIST&YEAR=2001&MONTH=05&FROM=1000&TO=1000&STNM=72649"
#> /var/folders/lw/3fnnk87n4q1dkl35s2_p24h80000gn/T//RtmpmShbLB/file4bc927d99b1c
sounding_hodograph(ws = chanhassen$ws, wd = chanhassen$wd, 
                   altitude = chanhassen$altitude,max_speed = 40)
title("Chanhasses - 10 May 2001, 00:00 UTC")

Example 5

Use the previously downloaded sounding and draw customized Skew-T plot (e.g. up to 150 hPa instead of default 100 hPa) with changed line width:

# chanhassen = get_sounding(wmo_id = 72649, yy = 2001, mm = 5, dd = 10, hh = 00)
skewt_plot(ptop = 150, close_par = FALSE)
skewt_lines(chanhassen$temp, chanhassen$pressure, ptop = 150, col = "red", lwd = 3)
skewt_lines(chanhassen$dpt, chanhassen$pressure, ptop = 150, col = "blue", lwd = 3)

Example 6

Wind speed vertical profile with wind barbs:

# chanhassen = get_sounding(wmo_id = 72649, yy = 2001, mm = 5, dd = 10, hh = 00)
oldpar = par()

par(fig = c(0.1, 0.75, 0.15, 0.9), new = TRUE, mar = c(1, 1, 1, 1), oma = c(0, 0, 0, 0))
#> Warning in par(fig = c(0.1, 0.75, 0.15, 0.9), new = TRUE, mar = c(1, 1, :
#> wywołanie 'par(new=TRUE)' bez wykresu
sounding_wind(pressure = chanhassen$pressure, ws = chanhassen$ws, yaxs = TRUE)
#> Joining, by = "x1"
title("Wind profile: Chanhassen - 10 May 2001 0000 UTC", outer = F)
par(fig = c(0.65, 0.95, 0.15, 0.9), new = TRUE, mar = c(1, 1, 1, 1), oma = c(0, 0, 0, 0))
sounding_barbs(chanhassen$pressure, chanhassen$ws, chanhassen$wd, chanhassen$altitude, interpolate = FALSE, barb_cex = 1)

par(oldpar)
#> Warning in par(oldpar): parametr graficzny 'cin' nie może zostać ustawiony
#> Warning in par(oldpar): parametr graficzny 'cra' nie może zostać ustawiony
#> Warning in par(oldpar): parametr graficzny 'csi' nie może zostać ustawiony
#> Warning in par(oldpar): parametr graficzny 'cxy' nie może zostać ustawiony
#> Warning in par(oldpar): parametr graficzny 'din' nie może zostać ustawiony
#> Warning in par(oldpar): parametr graficzny 'page' nie może zostać ustawiony

1. 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 (highest theta-e between surface and 3 km AGL). Units are J/kg.

[2] MU_03km_CAPE – convective available potential energy between surface and 3 km AGL, derived from the most-unstable parcel (highest theta-e between surface and 3 km AGL). Units are J/kg.

[3] MU_HGL_CAPE – convective available potential energy in a hail growth layer (between 0°C and −20°C), derived from the most-unstable parcel (highest theta-e between surface and 3 km AGL). Units are J/kg.

[4] MU_CIN – convective inhibition, derived from the most-unstable parcel (highest theta-e between surface and 3 km AGL). Units are J/kg.

[5] MU_LCL_HGT – height of the lifted condensation level, derived from the most-unstable parcel (highest theta-e between surface and 3 km AGL). Units are m AGL.

[6] MU_LFC_HGT – height of the level of free convection, derived from the most-unstable parcel (highest theta-e between surface and 3 km AGL). Units are m AGL.

[7] MU_EL_HGT – height of the equilibrium level, derived from the most-unstable parcel (highest theta-e between surface and 3 km AGL). Units are m AGL.

[8] MU_LI – lifted index, derived from the most-unstable parcel (highest theta-e between surface and 3 km AGL). Units are K.

[9] MU_WMAX – the maximum updraft speed in a thunderstorm (a square root of two times CAPE), derived from the most-unstable parcel (highest theta-e between surface and 3 km AGL). Units are m/s.

[10] MU_EL_TEMP – temperature of the equilibrium level, derived from the most-unstable parcel (highest theta-e between surface and 3 km AGL). Units are °C.

[11] MU_LCL_TEMP – temperature of the lifted condensation level, derived from the most-unstable parcel (highest theta-e between surface and 3 km AGL). Units are °C.

[12] MU_LFC_TEMP – temperature of the level of free convection, derived from the most-unstable parcel (highest theta-e between surface and 3 km AGL). Units are °C.

[13] MU_MIXR – mixing ratio at the height of the most-unstable parcel (highest theta-e between surface and 3 km AGL). Units are g/kg.

[14] SB_CAPE – convective available potential energy, derived from the surface-based parcel. Units are J/kg.

[15] SB_03km_CAPE – convective available potential energy between surface and 3 km AGL, derived from the surface-based parcel. Units are J/kg.

[16] 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.

[17] SB_CIN – convective inhibition, derived from the surface-based parcel. Units are J/kg.

[18] SB_LCL_HGT – height of the lifted condensation level, derived from the surface-based parcel. Units are m AGL.

[19] SB_LFC_HGT – height of the level of free convection, derived from the surface-based parcel. Units are m AGL.

[20] SB_EL_HGT – height of the equilibrium level, derived from the surface-based parcel. Units are m AGL.

[21] SB_LI – lifted index, derived from the surface-based parcel. Units are K.

[22] SB_WMAX – the maximum updraft speed in a thunderstorm (a square root of two times CAPE), derived from the surface-based parcel. Units are m/s.

[23] SB_EL_TEMP – temperature of the equilibrium level, derived from the surface-based parcel. Units are °C.

[24] SB_LCL_TEMP – temperature of the lifted condensation level, derived from the surface-based parcel. Units are °C.

[25] SB_LFC_TEMP – temperature of the level of free convection, derived from the surface-based parcel. Units are °C.

[26] SB_MIXR – mixing ratio at the height of the surface-based parcel. Units are g/kg.

[27] ML_CAPE – convective available potential energy, derived from the mixed-layer parcel (theta and mixing ratio averaged over 0–500m AGL layer and initialized from surface). Units are J/kg.

[28] ML_03km_CAPE – convective available potential energy between surface and 3 km AGL, derived from the mixed-layer parcel (theta and mixing ratio averaged over 0–500m AGL layer and initialized from surface). Units are J/kg.

[29] ML_HGL_CAPE – convective available potential energy in a hail growth layer (between 0°C and −20°C), derived from the mixed-layer parcel (theta and mixing ratio averaged over 0–500m AGL layer and initialized from surface). Units are J/kg.

[30] ML_CIN – convective inhibition, derived from the mixed-layer parcel (theta and mixing ratio averaged over 0–500m AGL layer and initialized from surface). Units are J/kg.

[31] ML_LCL_HGT – height of the lifted condensation level, derived from the mixed-layer parcel (theta and mixing ratio averaged over 0–500m AGL layer and initialized from surface). Units are m AGL.

[32] ML_LFC_HGT – height of the level of free convection, derived from the mixed-layer parcel (theta and mixing ratio averaged over 0–500m AGL layer and initialized from surface). Units are m AGL.

[33] ML_EL_HGT – height of the equilibrium level, derived from the mixed-layer parcel (theta and mixing ratio averaged over 0–500m AGL layer and initialized from surface). Units are m AGL.

[34] ML_LI – lifted index, derived from the mixed-layer parcel (theta and mixing ratio averaged over 0–500m AGL layer and initialized from surface). Units are K.

[35] ML_WMAX – the maximum updraft speed in a thunderstorm (a square root of two times CAPE), derived from the mixed-layer parcel (theta and mixing ratio averaged over 0–500m AGL layer and initialized from surface). Units are m/s.

[36] ML_EL_TEMP – temperature of the equilibrium level, derived from the mixed-layer parcel (theta and mixing ratio averaged over 0–500m AGL layer and initialized from surface). Units are °C.

[37] ML_LCL_TEMP – temperature of the lifted condensation level, derived from the mixed-layer parcel (theta and mixing ratio averaged over 0–500m AGL layer and initialized from surface). Units are °C.

[38] ML_LFC_TEMP – temperature of the level of free convection, derived from the mixed-layer parcel (theta and mixing ratio averaged over 0–500m AGL layer and initialized from surface). Units are °C.

[39] ML_MIXR – mixing ratio at the height of the surface-based parcel. Units are g/kg.

Temperature and moisture parameters:

[40] LR_01km – temperature lapse rate between surface and 1 km AGL. Units are K/km.

[41] LR_03km – temperature lapse rate between surface and 3 km AGL. Units are K/km.

[42] LR_24km – temperature lapse rate between 2 and 4 km AGL. Units are K/km.

[43] LR_36km – temperature lapse rate between 3 and 6 km AGL. Units are K/km.

[44] LR_500700hPa – temperature lapse rate between 500 and 700 hPa (if below ground level, the lowest available level is considered). Units are K/km.

[45] LR_500800hPa – temperature lapse rate between 500 and 800 hPa (if below ground level, the lowest available level is considered). Units are K/km.

[46] FRZG_HGT – height of freezing level (0°C) as a first available level counting from the surface. Units are m AGL.

[47] FRZG_wetbulb_HGT – height of wet-bulb freezing level (0°C) as a first available level counting from the surface. Units are m AGL.

[48] HGT_max_thetae_03km – height of the most-unstable parcel (highest theta-e between surface and 3 km AGL). Units are m AGL.

[49] HGT_min_thetae_04km – height of the lowest theta-e between surface and 4 km AGL. Units are m AGL.

[50] Delta_thetae – difference in theta-e between the mean in 3–5 km AGL layer and surface. Units are K.

[51] Delta_thetae_HGL – difference in theta-e between mean in a hail growth layer (between 0°C and −20°C) and surface. Units are K.

[52] 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.

[53] Cold_Pool_Strength – difference between surface temperature and temperature of the downdraft (derived from DCAPE) at the surface. Units are K.

[54] Wind_Index – based on original formula from McCann (1994), doi: https://tinyurl.com/jub4fecj Units indicate estimated wind gust potential in knots.

[55] PRCP_WATER – precipitable water (entire column). Units are mm.

[56] Moisture_Flux_02km – mean wind speed multiplied by mean mixing ratio in the layer between surface and 2 km AGL. Units are g/s/m2.

[57] RH_02km – mean relative humidity between surface and 2 km AGL layer. Units are %.

[58] RH_25km – mean relative humidity between 2 and 5 km AGL layer. Units are %.

[59] RH_HGL – mean relative humidity in a hail growth layer (between 0°C and −20°C). Units are %.

Kinematic parameters:

[60] BS_01km – bulk wind shear between surface and 1 km AGL. Units are m/s.

[61] BS_02km – bulk wind shear between surface and 2 km AGL. Units are m/s.

[62] BS_03km – bulk wind shear between surface and 3 km AGL. Units are m/s.

[63] BS_06km – bulk wind shear between surface and 6 km AGL. Units are m/s.

[64] BS_08km – bulk wind shear between surface and 8 km AGL. Units are m/s.

[65] BS_36km – bulk wind shear between 3 and 6 km AGL. Units are m/s.

[66] BS_18km – bulk wind shear between 1 and 8 km AGL. Units are m/s.

[67] BS_EFF_MU – effective shear based on most-unstable parcel (highest theta-e between surface and 3 km AGL). See Thompson et al. (2007), doi: 10.1175/WAF969.1 for further details. Units are m/s.

[68] BS_EFF_SB – effective shear based on surface-based parcel. See Thompson et al. (2007), doi: 10.1175/WAF969.1 for further details. Units are m/s.

[69] BS_EFF_ML – effective shear based on mixed-layer parcel (theta and mixing ratio averaged over 0–500m AGL layer and initialized from surface). See Thompson et al. (2007), doi: 10.1175/WAF969.1 for further details. Units are m/s.

[70] BS_SFC_to_HGL – bulk wind shear between surface and −10°C. Units are m/s.

[71] BS_MU_LFC_to_HGL – bulk wind shear between most-unstable level of free convection and −10°C. Units are m/s.

[72] BS_SB_LFC_to_HGL – bulk wind shear between surface-based level of free convection and −10°C. Units are m/s.

[73] BS_ML_LFC_to_HGL – bulk wind shear between mixed-layer level of free convection and −10°C. Units are m/s.

[74] MW_01km – mean wind speed between surface and 1 km AGL layer. Units are m/s.

[75] MW_02km – mean wind speed between surface and 2 km AGL layer. Units are m/s.

[76] MW_06km – mean wind speed between surface and 6 km AGL layer. Units are m/s.

[77] MW_13km – mean wind speed between 1 and 3 km AGL layer. Units are m/s.

[78] SRH_100m_RM – storm-relative helicity between surface and 100m AGL for right-moving supercell vector. See Bunkers et al. (2002), doi: tinyurl.com/yuk4wvwk for further details. Units are m2/s2.

[79] SRH_500m_RM – storm-relative helicity between surface and 500m AGL for right-moving supercell vector. See Bunkers et al. (2002), doi: tinyurl.com/yuk4wvwk for further details. Units are m2/s2.

[80] SRH_1km_RM – storm-relative helicity between surface and 1 km AGL for right-moving supercell vector. See Bunkers et al. (2002), doi: tinyurl.com/yuk4wvwk for further details. Units are m2/s2.

[81] SRH_3km_RM – storm-relative helicity between surface and 3 km AGL for right-moving supercell vector. See Bunkers et al. (2002), doi: tinyurl.com/yuk4wvwk for further details. Units are m2/s2.

[82] SRH_100m_LM – storm-relative helicity between surface and 100m AGL for left-moving supercell vector. See Bunkers et al. (2002), doi: tinyurl.com/yuk4wvwk for further details. Units are m2/s2.

[83] SRH_500m_LM – storm-relative helicity between surface and 500m AGL for left-moving supercell vector. See Bunkers et al. (2002), doi: tinyurl.com/yuk4wvwk for further details. Units are m2/s2.

[84] SRH_1km_LM – storm-relative helicity between surface and 1 km AGL for left-moving supercell vector. See Bunkers et al. (2002), doi: tinyurl.com/yuk4wvwk for further details. Units are m2/s2.

[85] SRH_3km_LM – storm-relative helicity between surface and 3 km AGL for left-moving supercell vector. See Bunkers et al. (2002), doi: tinyurl.com/yuk4wvwk for further details. Units are m2/s2.

[86] Bunkers_RM_A – azimuth for right-moving supercell vector. See Bunkers et al. (2002), doi: tinyurl.com/yuk4wvwk for further details. Units are °.

[87] Bunkers_RM_M – wind speed for right-moving supercell vector. See Bunkers et al. (2002), doi: tinyurl.com/yuk4wvwk for further details. Units are m/s.

[88] Bunkers_LM_A – azimuth for left-moving supercell vector. See Bunkers et al. (2002), doi: tinyurl.com/yuk4wvwk for further details. Units are °.

[89] Bunkers_LM_M – wind speed for left-moving supercell vector. See Bunkers et al. (2002), doi: tinyurl.com/yuk4wvwk for further details. Units are m/s.

[90] Bunkers_MW_A – azimuth for mean storm motion vector. See Bunkers et al. (2002), doi: tinyurl.com/yuk4wvwk for further details. Units are °.

[91] Bunkers_MW_M – wind speed for mean storm motion vector. See Bunkers et al. (2002), doi: tinyurl.com/yuk4wvwk for further details. Units are m/s.

Composite parameters:

[92] K_Index – based on original formula from George (1960): “Weather Forecasting for Aeronautics” Academic Press, London, 1960, p. 673. Units are K.

[93] Showalter_Index – based on original formula from Showalter (1953), doi: 10.1175/1520-0477-34.6.250. Units are K.

[94] 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.

[95] 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.

[96] STP – based on the fixed layer formula currently used on the Storm Prediction Center mesoanalysis (https://www.spc.noaa.gov/exper/mesoanalysis/) as of 1 March 2021. Parameter is dimensionless.

[97] STP_new – based on original formula from Coffer et al. (2019), doi: 10.1175/WAF-D-19-0115.1. Parameter is dimensionless.

[98] SCP – 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. Parameter is dimensionless.

[99] SCP_new – based on formula from Gropp and Davenport (2018), doi: 10.1175/WAF-D-17-0150.1, but with effective SRH replaced with surface to 3 km AGL SRH. Parameter is dimensionless.

[100] SHIP – based on formula currently used on the Storm Prediction Center mesoanalysis (https://www.spc.noaa.gov/exper/mesoanalysis/) as of 1 March 2021. Parameter is dimensionless.

[101] DCP – based on formula currently used on the Storm Prediction Center mesoanalysis (https://www.spc.noaa.gov/exper/mesoanalysis/) as of 1 March 2021. Parameter is dimensionless.

[102] MU_WMAXSHEAR – most-unstable WMAX multiplied by surface to 6 km AGL bulk wind shear. See Taszarek et al. (2020), doi: 10.1175/JCLI-D-20-0346.1 for further details. Units are m2/s2.

[103] SB_WMAXSHEAR – surface-based WMAX multiplied by surface to 6 km AGL bulk wind shear. See Taszarek et al. (2020), doi: 10.1175/JCLI-D-20-0346.1 for further details. Units are m2/s2.

[104] ML_WMAXSHEAR – mixed-layer WMAX multiplied by surface to 6 km AGL bulk wind shear. See Taszarek et al. (2020), doi: 10.1175/JCLI-D-20-0346.1 for further details. Units are m2/s2.

[105] MU_EFF_WMAXSHEAR – most-unstable WMAX multiplied by most-unstable effective bulk wind shear. See Taszarek et al. (2020), doi: 10.1175/JCLI-D-20-0346.1 for further details. Units are m2/s2.

[106] SB_EFF_WMAXSHEAR – surface-based WMAX multiplied by surface-based effective bulk wind shear. See Taszarek et al. (2020), doi: 10.1175/JCLI-D-20-0346.1 for further details. Units are m2/s2.

[107] ML_EFF_WMAXSHEAR – mixed-layer WMAX multiplied by mixed-layer effective bulk wind shear. See Taszarek et al. (2020), doi: 10.1175/JCLI-D-20-0346.1 for further details. Units are m2/s2.

2. 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):

#>  [1]     0   100   200   300   400   500   600   700   800   900  1000  1100
#> [13]  1200  1300  1400  1600  1800  2000  2200  2400  2600  2800  3000  3200
#> [25]  3400  3600  3800  4000  4200  4400  4600  4800  5000  5200  5400  5600
#> [37]  5800  6000  6500  7000  7500  8000  8500  9000  9500 10000 10500 11000
#> [49] 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):

#>   [1]     0    10    20    30    40    50    60    70    80    90   100   110
#>  [13]   120   130   140   150   160   170   180   190   200   210   220   230
#>  [25]   240   250   260   270   280   290   300   310   320   330   340   350
#>  [37]   360   370   380   390   400   410   420   430   440   450   460   470
#>  [49]   480   490   500   510   520   530   540   550   560   570   580   590
#>  [61]   600   610   620   630   640   650   660   670   680   690   700   710
#>  [73]   720   730   740   750   775   800   825   850   875   900   925   950
#>  [85]   975  1000  1025  1050  1075  1100  1125  1150  1175  1200  1225  1250
#>  [97]  1275  1300  1325  1350  1375  1400  1425  1450  1475  1500  1525  1550
#> [109]  1575  1600  1625  1650  1675  1700  1725  1750  1775  1800  1825  1850
#> [121]  1875  1900  1925  1950  1975  2000  2025  2050  2075  2100  2125  2150
#> [133]  2175  2200  2225  2250  2275  2300  2325  2350  2375  2400  2425  2450
#> [145]  2475  2500  2525  2550  2575  2600  2625  2650  2675  2700  2725  2750
#> [157]  2775  2800  2825  2850  2875  2900  2925  2950  2975  3000  3050  3100
#> [169]  3150  3200  3250  3300  3350  3400  3450  3500  3550  3600  3650  3700
#> [181]  3750  3800  3850  3900  3950  4000  4050  4100  4150  4200  4250  4300
#> [193]  4350  4400  4450  4500  4550  4600  4650  4700  4750  4800  4850  4900
#> [205]  4950  5000  5050  5100  5150  5200  5250  5300  5350  5400  5450  5500
#> [217]  5550  5600  5650  5700  5750  5800  5850  5900  5950  6000  6100  6200
#> [229]  6300  6400  6500  6600  6700  6800  6900  7000  7100  7200  7300  7400
#> [241]  7500  7600  7700  7800  7900  8000  8100  8200  8300  8400  8500  8600
#> [253]  8700  8800  8900  9000  9100  9200  9300  9400  9500  9600  9700  9800
#> [265]  9900 10000 10100 10200 10300 10400 10500 10600 10700 10800 10900 11000
#> [277] 11100 11200 11300 11400 11500 11600 11700 11800 11900 12000 12250 12500
#> [289] 12750 13000 13250 13500 13750 14000 14250 14500 14750 15000 15250 15500
#> [301] 15750 16000 16250 16500 16750 17000 17250 17500 17750 18000 18250 18500
#> [313] 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:

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)
#>    user  system elapsed 
#>   0.004   0.000   0.005
print(t2)
#>    user  system elapsed 
#>   0.014   0.000   0.015
print(t3)
#>    user  system elapsed 
#>   0.177   0.001   0.180

Important notes

• Remember to always input wind speed data in knots.
• Script will always consider first height level as the surface (h = 0), therefore input height data can be as above sea level (ASL) or above ground level (AGL).
• For efficiency purposes it is highly recommended to input data for a maximum of 16-18 km AGL or lower.
• Values of parameters will be different for different accuracy settings.