GENERAL SYNOPSIS- 5500m : Small ridge of high pressure from Africa to France, slowly moving Eastward, and giving a light North-Westerly flow over the Alps. Consequently, the air mass will become dryer and more stable than yesterday.- Surface : Small high 1018hPa over France this morning, and 1013hPa only over Mediterranan sea, giving a light North wind in Rhone valley this morning. Flat pressure field in the afternoon, allowing the breezes to predominate.About the clouds, nearly blue sky untill noon, then moderately developed cumulus over mountains, more numerous over les Ecrins mountains. The risk of Cb and thunderstorms is definitely less important than yesterday, but some isolated Cb are still possible over the highest mountains East of Durance river..

QNH 1016 hPa FL 75 2310m FL 115 3530m FL 195 5970m

AIR MASS / DEVELOPMENT OF CONVECTION - St-Auban sounding : More stable than yesterday and a little bit dryer, with a small inversion appearing around 3000m. Cu clouds will form over the surrounding mountains around noon, with a base approximately at 2200m, reaching 2600m for a maximum temperature of 30°c.- Aubenasson sounding: Much dryer and stable than yesterday, principally above 1400m and under 2300m. Cumulus will form with bases approximately at 1500m, reaching 2100m over the small mountains and 2600m over mountains 2000m high.- St Crépin and Sollieres soundings: Still rather humid at medium level around 3000/3500m, allowing many Cumulus to form this morning, with basis around 3000m. An inversion layer appearing at 4200m will stop the Cu top, at least untill mid-afternoon. Even with the expected stabilization, some Cb could grow over the highest mountains in the second part of the afternoon.
 

ISO 0°C 3500m  ISO -10 °C 5200 m

Favourable elements : - more sunny than yesterday, so more regular convection.- convergence lines between the light North tendancy and the breezes West of Saint Auban, and with sea breezes South of St Auban.   Unfavourable elements :- always some Cb and thunderstorms likely in the second part of the afternoon, giving isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms.
 
Outlook for tomorrow : - Sunday, fine day for the « price-giving ceremony » and may be for last flights. Some high altitude clouds arriving in the evening, before a new stormy and rainy period at the beginning of next week.
 
 

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Web page by Denis Flament (from Nogaro aeroclub) consulted times since 13-Jun-97 updated : 13-Jun-97