Validating surface and radar data are discussed in context of the evolving soundings. Several characteristics of a dry microburst sounding have been noted in field studies and research papers. Increased water vapor near the surface results in stronger downdrafts. Since water vapor is less dense than dry air, it allows the cold downdraft to sink faster. Dry air directly beneath cloud base allows downdraft initiation through rapid evaporation and sublimation of precipitation.
Ice promotes faster cooling in the downdraft than water.
The sounding has been modified for discussion purposes. In general, this sounding indicates potential for thunderstorms with heavy rain as the cloud base is relatively close to the ground and the humidity levels just below the cloud do not favor evaporation. There has been a significant decrease in the mixing ratio at nearly all levels. Initially, forecasters focused on this line of storms. However, the initial storm that produced the Magna microburst formed from an area of ill-defined echoes about 50 nm south of the radar.