NUCAPS Sounding Near KJNX Observation 1800 UTC - Adjusting It Is Best For Use By Mesoscale Analyst In Severe Ops.

Here is a NUCAPS sounding near KJNX in the east central portion of the RAH CWA. Note the near surface temperature was about 21C/70F and dew point temperature was about 13C/55F.

Here is a visible satelllite image with the NUCAPS sites and surface observations overlaid. Note the cursor readout of temperature at 24C/75F and dew point temperature at 19C/66F at KJNX, which is very close to the NUCAPS sounding site.

Here is the adjusted NUCAPS sounding near KJNX, with a more representative temperature and dew point temperature profile in the low levels. Note the much higher values of CAPE in the adjusted sounding. They may be too high, as the temperature profile may need more adjustment further up. Still, it gives an idea of how unstable the airmass ahead of the convection is. In addition, the -20C level did not change much (about 21,500 feet above ground level), compared to the observed 12 UTC sounding at Greesnboro, NC (perhaps 100km/60miles west northwest of the KJNX area). This made sense given the synoptic setup, and would help the warning forecaster with where this level is over the eastern portions of the RAH CWA.

Overall, it seems that having to adjust the low levels of the NUCAPS sounding would be best handled by the mesoscale forecaster, NOT the warning forecaster. Once you get the hang of adjusting these NUCAPS profiles, they can be useful for near storm environmental monitoring. This would likely be too distracting for the warning forecaster to do, while trying to watch the storms themselves. JJW