Re: Inversion layer and solar activity?

Thanks for the link, Mike! Sometimes, I guess a table is just easier to read than a graphic. I'll be interested to see what this afternoon's sounding says about tonight's observing chances.

Cheers,
Doug

----- Original Message -----
I like to check the atmospheric soundings at

weather.uwyo.edu/upperair/sounding.html

Click on OAK for the latest Oakland sounding or for historical data first choose your date at the top.

Some storms bring drier air, this one did not. The upper air levels have stayed moist. This shows clearly on the soundings.

I also rode my bike in the Santa Cruz mountains earlier this week. The roads were wet a day or two after the rains. This is a sure indicator of remaining humid air after a storm.

On the sounding you will see temperature and relative humidity as a function of altitude in meters. Yesterday mornings sounding had 80% humidity at 1200 meters. This is a warning sign.

Last month I was observing in the Santa Lucias at 900 meters. Humidity was below 5%. I could hear the surf crashing in the fog below from the ridge top but my lips were getting chapped.

Look at the historical data for days that you know were good and bad to get a feel for the data.

Thanks,
Mike

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