Hi all,
Ok, just a couple of quick observations and comparison of a NUCAPS (direct broadcast) sounding with a modified sounding over an area of interest this afternoon. The NUCAPS sounding locations and the particular sounding of interest can be seen in Image 1 below.
![](https://inside.nssl.noaa.gov/ewp/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/05/Zoom_NUCAPSDB_1959UTC20May2019.png)
The next image below (image 2) shows the Direct Broadcast NUCAPS sounding valid ~2000 UTC 20 May 2019. The sounding indicates high CAPE values at this sounding location (~2800 J/Kg MUCAPE, and 2400 J/Kg MLCAPE), and steep lapse rates aloft, in excess of 8 C/km. This type of atmospheric profile would support severe weather in the area today.
![](https://inside.nssl.noaa.gov/ewp/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/05/DBSounding_SWCornerOfHighRisk_20UTC20May2018.png)
The next image is the modified sounding taken at the same location. Notice the increased CAPE values…
![](https://inside.nssl.noaa.gov/ewp/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/05/ModifiedSounding_SWAreaOfHighRisk_20UTC20May2019.png)
By the way, soundings in this general area, including the yellow soundings indicated high CAPEs with “reasonable” looking values. However, there was a fairly significant gradient noticed in overall low-level instability noticed in soundings to the east of this location. This could be a good case for the NUCAPS team to go back and take a further look.
-Kris W