Surface-based Convection

*Surface-based Convection - Convection occurring within a surface-based layer, i.e., a layer in which the lowest portion is based at or very near the earth's surface. Compare with elevated convection ...

Severe weather is possible from elevated convection, but is less likely than it is with surface-based convection.

The approximate temperature that the air near the ground must warm to in order for surface-based convection surface-based convection to develop, based on analysis of a sounding.

Convective Temperature - The approximate temperature that the air near the ground must warm to in order for surface-based convection to develop, based on analysis of a sounding. See Fig. 6.

indices based on near-surface measurements (such as the lifted index) typically will underestimate the amount of instability present. Severe weather is possible from elevated convection, but is less likely than it is with surface-based convection.

a very stable layer of atmosphere, surface based indices, such as the lifted index (LI), are useless in predicting their development. Severe weather is possible from elevated convection, but is less likely than it is with surface-based convection.

that covers the sky with clouds, thereby cutting off the sunshine that produces convection.Convective TemperatureThe approximate temperature that the air near the ground must warm to in order for surface-based convection to develop, ...

See also: Stability, Circulation, Tornado, Updraft, Cloud