This icon derives (and returns) a vertical profile data unit of upper air fields for a particular point location (or small area). For each upper air field, values are interpolated at the point location (or integrated over the small area).
The vertical profile data can be plotted (using a default visualisation and with the plot area based on the range of data values) or saved as a NetCDF data file.
If access to the output computed values is not required, or for more control of the plotting, use the Vertical Profile View icon.
The macro language equivalent is mvert_prof().
The Vertical Profile Data Editor
Data
Specifies the data (GRIB icon) from which to derive the vertical profile data. The input GRIB icon must specify a multi-level (pressure or model levels) upper air meteorological variable, in a latitude-longitude or Gaussian grid. If the input data is specified in model levels, you must include the parameter LNSP should you want the vertical axis of the plot in pressure levels rather than model levels when visualising the output. Note that the input fields should be on the same grid. If more than one time and/or forecast step is contained in the GRIB icon, it returns a set of vertical profiles in the resulting data, but note that currently only the first of these will be plotted with a single plot() command.
Input Mode
Specifies whether to derive the vertical profile for a Point or an Area. In Point mode the nearest gridpoint to the point specified will be selected. The default value is Point.
Point
Specifies the coordinates of the point for which the vertical profile is calculated. Enter coordinates (lat/long) of a point separated by a "/". Alternatively, use the coordinate assist button.
Area
Specifies the coordinates of the area over which the averages composing the vertical profile are calculated. Enter coordinates (lat/long) of an area separated by a "/" (top left lat and long, bottom right lat and long). Alternatively, use the coordinate assist button.
Output Mode
Specifies the output extraction mode. Valid values are Normal or Rttov. The Rttov option is only valid internally at ECMWF and it is used in the context of the RTTOV model application.
Water Type
Valid values are Fresh Water or Ocean Water. Available when Output Mode is Rttov.
Cloud Top Pressure
Pressure of the cloud top in hPa. Available when Output Mode is Rttov.
Cloud Fraction
Available when Output Mode is Rttov.