Stability Assessment » Showalter Stability Index (SSI) Strengths and Limitations
SSI is relatively easy to compute and is often useful to diagnose environmental instability. However, it has several limitations:
- It may under-represent the instability if the top of the moist layer falls below 850 hPa.
- It is intended for use at locations with a station elevation up to about 1000 feet.
- It does not take into account vertical wind shear, which also affects storm potential.