Bulk Shear 0 To 6KM
Interpolate observed 0/6000 m AGL wind endpoints before signed bulk shear difference; full layer coverage required, not average shear rate, surface-speed difference or a storm warning.
Description
Bulk wind shear is the vector difference between winds at two layer endpoints.
Bulk wind shear is the vector difference between winds at two layer endpoints. A 0–6 km AGL calculation needs observed coverage of both ground level and 6000 meters.1
Interpolate observed 0/6000 m AGL wind endpoints before signed bulk shear difference; full layer coverage required, not average shear rate, surface-speed difference or a storm warning.
When to use Bulk Shear 0 To 6KM
Use this tool to interpolate observed 0/6000 m AGL wind endpoints before signed bulk shear difference; full layer coverage required, not average shear rate, surface-speed difference or a storm warning.
Prepare the observed sounding, cloud records or forecast verification data. Check pressure and height coordinates, wind conventions and the stated units.
How to use Bulk Shear 0 To 6KM and understand its results
- Prepare the observed sounding, cloud records or forecast verification data. Check pressure and height coordinates, wind conventions and the stated units.
- Enter heightsAboveGroundM, eastWindMPerSecond, northWindMPerSecond using the field table and calculation rules, then run the tool.
- Read bulkZeroToSixKmShearVectorMPerSecond, bulkZeroToSixKmShearMagnitudeMPerSecond. The explanation below defines the units, signs, ordering and any flags or placeholder values.
- If the tool reports an input issue, correct the values and run it again. Apply the stated assumptions when interpreting a successfully returned result.
| Input field | Meaning | Value type; see rules below | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| heightsAboveGroundM | Heights above ground m | list of number | Required |
| eastWindMPerSecond | East wind m per second | list of number | Required |
| northWindMPerSecond | North wind m per second | list of number | Required |
Enter increasing heights above ground and aligned east/north winds in m/s. Linearly interpolate both endpoint winds within coverage, subtract components and return the signed two-component vector and its magnitude.
bulk shear vector = wind(6000 m AGL) − wind(0 m AGL) Units, indexing, boundary conditions and exceptional cases are defined in the calculation rules above.
| Output field | Meaning | Value type |
|---|---|---|
| bulkZeroToSixKmShearVectorMPerSecond | Bulk zero to six km shear vector m per second | list of number |
| bulkZeroToSixKmShearMagnitudeMPerSecond | Bulk zero to six km shear magnitude m per second | number |
{
"input": {
"heightsAboveGroundM": [
0,
3000,
6000
],
"eastWindMPerSecond": [
1,
5,
11
],
"northWindMPerSecond": [
2,
5,
22
]
},
"output": {
"bulkZeroToSixKmShearVectorMPerSecond": [
10,
20
],
"bulkZeroToSixKmShearMagnitudeMPerSecond": 22.360679774997898
}
}Limitations and assumptions
There is no extrapolation, mean shear-rate calculation or storm warning inferred from the magnitude.
Numeric inputs and returned numeric values must be finite; an unrepresentable returned value produces an error. Numeric lists are limited to 100,000 entries; the rules above may require smaller limits. Missing required fields, extra fields, wrong value types and violations of the calculation rules are input errors.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use Ageostrophic Component Magnitude: Difference measured and independently supplied geostrophic wind vectors, not scalar speed subtraction or computed pressure-gradient wind. For a complementary task, use Gradient Wind Curvature Correction: Solve continuous geostrophic-limit normal branch of V²/(fR)+V=Vg with signed curvature, rejecting no-real anticyclonic balance; no anomalous branch, surface gusts or safe-flight inference.
References
-
Bulk Shear 0 To 6KM — tool.io
Similar or alternative tools
- Ageostrophic Component Magnitude
Difference measured and independently supplied geostrophic wind vectors, not scalar speed subtraction or computed pressure-gradient wind.
- Gradient Wind Curvature Correction
Solve continuous geostrophic-limit normal branch of V²/(fR)+V=Vg with signed curvature, rejecting no-real anticyclonic balance; no anomalous branch, surface gusts or safe-flight inference.