Show HN: Creating Skew-T Log-P diagrams from the Rapid Refresh (RAP) model

[ElPeque]

A few weeks ago there was a request for GribStream to support this particular model https://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/products/rap/ to use it on Skew-T Log-P diagrams and so after banging my head against jpeg2000 compressed data within grib2 files I finally got it :).

I'm sharing a python example to show how to create these charts.

A Skew-T Log-P diagram is a type of thermodynamic chart used primarily in meteorology to plot atmospheric temperature and dew point profiles at various pressure levels. The "Skew-T" refers to the angle at which temperature lines are skewed from the vertical, and "Log-P" indicates that the vertical coordinate is scaled logarithmically with pressure, which decreases with altitude. This diagram helps meteorologists visualize and predict weather phenomena such as cloud formation, stability, and potential for severe weather by analyzing temperature, humidity, and wind changes with height. It is an essential tool for understanding the atmospheric environment and for making decisions related to weather forecasting and research.

For example, where the temperature and dew point lines converge on the diagram, it indicates the altitude at which the air becomes saturated. This is the height at which clouds begin to form. Closer convergence near the ground suggests higher humidity and potential for fog or low clouds.

Enjoy!