Favorable Conditions

Sounding plotted on skew-T diagram showing conditions conducive to CSI

Simple 2-dimensional CSI theory assumes geostrophic flow with unidirectional shear and variations occurring only in the direction normal to the geostrophic shear or thermal wind vector. One can qualitatively use an observed or model-derived sounding, in combination with surface and upper air analyses, to infer environments potentially favorable for CSI, given the following:

If the above conditions are met, the environment may be favorable for formation of precipitation bands oriented parallel to the thermal wind or thickness lines. In this case, you may wish to further evaluate the potential for CSI by analyzing cross sections.

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