GFS maps: Italy, Humidity and Vertical Velocity at 500 hPa

Humidity and Vertical Velocity at 500 hPa: analysis and forecast

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To see the GFS ANALYSIS MAP ARCHIVE from 2013 to today click on the red link.



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GFS Italy: Relative Humidity [%] and Vertical Velocity [Pa/s] at 500 hPa

These maps show the relative humidity (in %) and the vertical baric velocities (in Pa/s) at a 500 hPa pressure level, corresponding to an altitude that can fluctuate between 5000 and 6000 m (see the geopotential maps). The formation of medium-high clouds in an area occurs with high relative humidity values and negative vertical (omega) velocities. Humidity close to 100% is not necessary if at the same time there are sufficient ascending motions (negative vertical speeds) which, cooling by expansion, can bring the air to saturation. Here are 3 conditions for which an overcast sky is expected: 1) RH=60÷80%, Ω <-0.4 Pa/s; 2) RH>80%, Ω<-0.3 Pa/s; 3) RH>90%, Ω=-0.3÷0 Pa/s.

On the top left is shown the UTC initialization time. UTC time is indicated with Z letter (Zulu Time). On the top right is shown the UTC forecast time.
The maps at 00Z, 06Z, 12Z and 18Z are updated respectively starting from 04.30 AM, 10:30 AM, 4:30 PM, 10.30 PM (CEST TIime).
Forecast model: Global Forecast System (GFS) with 0.25°x0.25° (lat x lon) spatial resolution.

NOTE: in central European countries, when solar time is in effect, the CET time is used, which is equal to UTC +1 hour, while when daylight saving time is in effect, the CEST time is used, which is equal to UTC +2 hours. Right now it is 5:18 UTC.

        

weather map GFS Humidity and Vertical Velocity at 500 hPa


Notes on GFS forecast maps

The Global Forecast System (GFS) is a National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) weather forecast model that generates data for dozens of atmospheric and land-soil variables, including temperatures, winds, precipitation, soil moisture, and atmospheric ozone concentration. The system couples four separate models (atmosphere, ocean model, land/soil model, and sea ice) that work together to accurately depict weather conditions.
GFS is a global model with a base horizontal resolution of 0.25° (28 kilometers) between grid points. The GFS is run 4 times a day, the temporal resolution covers analysis and forecasts out to 16 days.


See the GFS analysis maps archive from 2013 to today

To see the GFS ANALYSIS MAP ARCHIVE from 2013 to today click on the red link.