MLchartDataset catalogue

Total Totals index

Term · Meteorology and atmospheric science · MLC-T-MET-002833

A stability index and severe weather forecast tool, equal to the temperature at 850 mb plus the dew point at 850 mb, minus twice the temperature at 500 mb. The total-totals index is the arithmetic sum of two other indices: the Vertical Totals Index (temperature at 850 mb minus temperature at 500 mb) and the Cross Totals Index (dew point at 850 mb minus temperature at 500 mb). As with all stability indices there are no magic threshold values, but in general, values of less than 50 or greater than 55 are considered weak and strong indicators, respectively, of potential severe storm development.

Table 1. Record
IdentifierMLC-T-MET-002833
FieldMeteorology and atmospheric science
ReferencesNWS Glossary
See alsostability index
Record as JSON
{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-002833",
  "term": "Total Totals index",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definition": "A stability index and severe weather forecast tool, equal to the temperature at 850 mb plus the dew point at 850 mb, minus twice the temperature at 500 mb. The total-totals index is the arithmetic sum of two other indices: the Vertical Totals Index (temperature at 850 mb minus temperature at 500 mb) and the Cross Totals Index (dew point at 850 mb minus temperature at 500 mb). As with all stability indices there are no magic threshold values, but in general, values of less than 50 or greater than 55 are considered weak and strong indicators, respectively, of potential severe storm development.",
  "see_also": [
    "stability index"
  ],
  "references": [
    "NWS Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/total-totals-index/"
}

Record 2,832 of 3,164 in Meteorology and atmospheric science terminology (MLC-0110). Request the full dataset.