Severe Weather Sounding Types

Type 1 severe weather sounding

Type I (Loaded Gun)

This sounding is characterized by a moist, fairly well-mixed layer of at least 100-150 hPa depth, separated from a dry layer above by a capping inversion. Lapse rates above the cap are typically nearly dry adiabatic. Often referred to as "loaded gun" soundings, they usually have surface Td>10°C and 850 hPa Td>8°C. Type I soundings usually exhibit high values for CAPE and TT, and low values for LI and SSI, and are commonly observed in the Great Plains during the spring severe weather season.

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