The LAPB Branch is a component of NOAA's Forecast Systems Laboratory. The Local Analysis and Prediction System (LAPS) integrates data from virtually every meteorological observation system into a very high-resolution gridded framework centered on a forecast office's domain of responsibility. Thus, the data from local mesonetworks of surface observing systems, Doppler radars, satellites, wind and temperature (RASS) profilers (404 and boundary-layer 915 MHz), as well as aircraft are incorporated every hour into a three-dimensional grid covering a 1000km by 1240km area. LAPS has analysis and prediction components. The prediction component is being configured using the SFM (modified RAMS), MM5, and ETA models. Any or all of these models, usually being initialized with LAPS analyses, are run to provide 0-18 hour forecasts.
|
Surface
Temperature in Degrees F - Loop
|
 |
|
Wind
- Loop
The Mean Sea Level pressure field is plotted together with Reduced Pressure (millibars). In some cases the reference level for reduced pressure is set to 0m or sea level. In other cases it is set to an elevation more representative of the station elevations, especially in mountainous areas. Surface Wind Barbs are also plotted in knots. Wind barbs show wind direction and speed. A barb pointing to the left means the wind is from the west. Each flag is 10 knots (11.5 mph), and half flags are 5 knots. |
 |
|
Surface
Dew Point - Loop
|
 |
|
Surface
Condition of Relative Humidity as Percent - Loop
|
 |
|
Storm
Precipitation Forecast - Loop
|
 |
|
Cloud
Cover - Loop |
 |
|
CAPE
(Convective Available Potential Energy) - Loop
Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE), also known as positive buoyant energy. Units are Joules per Kilogram. A value of around 1000 J/K will support weak convection while 2000 J/K provides moderately strong convective potential. Values in excess of 4000 J/K are associated with large and severe thunderstorms. This is a net positive area in the sounding - any negative area in the cap has been subtracted out. |
 |
|
Snow
Cover / Precipitation Type - Loop
Snow cover (percent), together with surface precipitation type. '*' denotes snow 'R' denotes rain 'Z' denotes freezing rain 'L' denotes drizzle 'F' denotes freezing drizzle. |
 |
|
X-Section
(Cloud / Radar / Wind / Temp) - Loop
Vertical Cross-Section through LAPS domain from West to East through Boulder, CO. Terrain is shown in solid red. White areas denote fractional coverage of cloud layers in eighths. Colored areas (if present) denote radar reflectivity. Purple is 0-20 dBz, Green is 20-30 dBz, Blue is 30-40 dBz, Orange is 40-50 dBz, Yellow is 50-60 dBz, Red is > 60 dBz. Symbols '*' and 'R' denote snow and rain, respectively. Note that the surface reflectivity and surface precip type fields are further processed based on additional data. They may thus be slightly different (and better) than inferring surface conditions from this 3-D graphic. Wind barbs show wind direction and speed. A barb pointing to the left means the wind is from the west. Each flag is 10 knots (11.5 mph), and half flags are 5 knots. The coutoured field is temperature in degrees Celsius. |
 |
|
Total
Precipitable Water - Loop
Storm Total Precipitation Accumulation (inches). The period of accumulation ends at the valid time listed. This is an analyzed field derived mainly from radar reflectivity data. |
 |
