What is Theta-E meteorology?

Theta-E is a quantity that indicates the stability of the atmosphere, or the available energy in the atmosphere. In general, larger Theta-E values represent greater potential instability. Theta-E is the temperature the air would have if (1) all of the moisture were condensed out and (2) it was lowered to sea level.

How do you find Theta-E of a skew T?

Locate the temperature and dewpoint at that pressure level. Raise that parcel adiabatically from that pressure level to the 200-mb level. Next, bring the parcel down dry adiabatically to the 1000 mb level. The temperature once the parcel is at 1000 mb is the THETA-E.

How do you find equivalent potential temperature?

The equivalent potential temperature (or Theta-e as it is usually called) is found by lowering an air parcel to the 1000 mb level AND releasing the latent heat in the parcel.

What is equivalent potential temperature used for?

While potential temperature can be used to compare temperatures at different elevations and the trajectory air parcels will take (rising or sinking), equivalent potential temperature(θe) can be used to compare both moisture content and temperature of the air.

Why is virtual temperature useful?

Virtual potential temperature is similar to potential temperature in that it removes the temperature variation caused by changes in pressure. Virtual potential temperature is useful as a surrogate for density in buoyancy calculations and in turbulence transport which includes vertical air movement.

What is potential temperature in meteorology?

Potential temperature is a conserved quantity for adiabatic (energy conserving) motions and is equal to the temperature of an air parcel restored adiabatically to a reference surface pressure. From: Encyclopedia of Atmospheric Sciences (Second Edition), 2015.

What is Theta e advection?

Positive values of Theta-E advection indicated that the air in the area was becoming both warmer and moister. Theta-E advection can also contribute to the destabilization of the air mass. The converging winds associated with the front are also clearly evident on the image.

What does high potential temperature mean?

By definition, potential temperature increases with height, as it is the temperature that a parcel of air would have if brought dry adiabatically to a reference pressure level, usually 1000 mb, which represents the surface at sea level.

What is potential air temperature?

The potential temperature is defined as the temperature an air parcel would have if it were expanded or compressed adiabatically from its existing pressure to a pressure of 1000 mbar or 100 hPa.

What is the virtual temperature correction?

The virtual correction for the environment uses the observed mixing ratio, which is the mixing ratio that passes through the dewpoint temperature at any level. In general, the lower the relative humidity (the smaller the virtual correction will be).