Tropical Inter-Atoll Squall Index Proposal
David Sapiane BSc

Distinct weather patterns have been observed and reported by a Yachtsman, Spike of Holokai between two close Atolls in the Marshall Island Group. Persistent and, at times, intense squalls have been noted between adjacent Atolls which are aligned with the trade wind flow pattern and coincident with above normal lagoon sea surface temperatures(SST). Holokai refers to this event as CRAP weather (Close Range Atoll Phenomena). To forecast the degree of CRAP weather an index is proposed. The STINK INDEX (Spikes Theory of Inter Atoll Kinetics) is offered to establish that the bigger the STINK the bigger the CRAP.

STINK PARAMETERS AND POINTS

Parameter One Point Two Points Three Points

Lifted Index 0 to -2 -2 to -4 -4 to -6

K Index 15 to 20 21 to 30 >30

CAPE 2500

KO Index >6 2 to 6 normal

Tradewinds very light light normal

Lifted Index: Compares parcel temperature to the environmental temperature at 500 hPa
K-Index: Sum of lapse rate, 850hPa moisture, and humidity at 700hPa
CAPE: Represents atmospheric instability in joules per kilogram
KO Index: Integrates theta-e at 500,700,850 and 1000 hPa.

STINK INDEX

6 POINTS WEAK STINK

12 PONTS MODERATE STINK

18 POINTS STRONG STINK

Published in the New Zealand Met Society Journal 2007
Has anyone observed this phenomenon?