"C Kingsbury" wrote in message
ink.net...

"Ash Wyllie" wrote in message
...

Cloud base temps should be surfaceTemp - altinThousands * 2. But I could
be
wrong.


It will be wrong when the lapse rate is different from standard, itself a
significant indicator that something is afoot. When I read a METAR I often
compare the observed ceiling to the surface temp to see if it's close to the
2C/1000 rule or not. If they're lower than they "should be" then you can bet
there's a good chance of convection, turbulence, and generally fast-changing
conditions. At least in New England this really only holds during the warmer
months though.

-cwk.

Would you elaborate on this please? Are you talking about comparing the temp/dewpoint spread to the ceiling at
2C/1000?

Cheers,
John Clonts
Temple, Texas
N7NZ