SNPP NUCAPS DB Modified Sounding Success!

The 19Z Modified DB NUCAPS sounding was quite accurate with regards to instability parameters and the thermodynamic profile. 

A clear sky point (Figure 1) was captured and compared to nearby metars. NUCAPS Sfc temps/td's in the low 80s/upper 60s, respectively, matched nearby metar observations. In addition, the thermodynamic profile from NUCAPS (Figure 2) matched the observed sounding from Lamont, OK (Figure 3) and Topeka, KS (Figure 4) relatively well. 

As a side note, the DB Modified sounding did provide added value over the DB sounding with a more accurate thermodynamic profile as well as instability.

Figure 1. NUCAPS DB Modified sounding location

near Lamont, OK

Figure 2. Modified DB NUCAPS thermodynamic 

profile.  SFC CAPE of 3,916 J/Kg

Figure 3. Observed 17Z sounding at Lamont, TX

SFC CAPE of 3,059 J/Kg

 Figure 4. Observed 18Z sounding at Topeka, KS

SFC CAPE of 4,256 J/Kg 

- BO