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Chapter V: Appendix

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Appendix

From a forecast perspective the most helpful "tools" for that day were not only radio soundings but rather the satellite images, especially the Airmass-RGB. For example, the very dry and cold air descending from the stratosphere increases the instability.

Furthermore, a look at the Total Precipitable Water in the boundary layer (BL) was useful for detecting the most humid airmasses. Of course, local thunderstorms are impossible to predict exactly, but a high potential for deep moisture convection in the regions in question can thus be found.

The generated fields of instability indices like the Lifted Index are also helpful. Of course, if there are too many clouds, these parameters are tender points. Especially in combination with the Total Precipitable Water it is quite useful. Remember that in nowcasting it is very important to follow the quick development of thunderstorms; local convergences, for example, can be derived from the wind field or observations.