A Skew-t is a graphical representation of the atmosphere in one
single column of air. It allows forecasters to gauge nearly
everything about the environment: moisture, instability, shear,
and environmental temperatures just to sample a few. A seasoned
forecaster can quickly glance at a sounding and understand the
basic stability of the atmosphere. A Skew-t is not the only
graph used to show a sounding, Stuve diagrams are also used
frequently. But in severe weather convective situations,
forecasters tend to rely on the Skew-t because it is easier to
visually see stability. Other than a real-time sounding, which
is launched at 00z and 12z from weather stations across the
globe, weather models also produce forecast soundings.
Forecasters can use this model information to try and predict
severe potential in the summer or precipitation type in the
colder months. Here are a few places to find real-time
soundings: University of Wyoming -Stuve Diagram The first time
you saw a Skew-t, it probably just looked like a bu