<p>I haven't come across the vertical p-velocity, so I am unsure what that is trying to communicate.</p>

<p>w is the vertical velocity with units of length per second. Travelling away from the surface means that w is positive.</p>

<p>Omega is the vertical velocity in pressure coordinates (so positive omega is negative w). Omega has units of pressure per time. </p>

<p>Because much of the operational meteorology uses pressure surfaces, omega is a more common quantity to see. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-25T15:54:18.387Z
2016-06-25T15:54:18.387Z
BarocliniCplusplus
<p>I am wondering the difference between w-wind, vertical p-velocity and Omega.
I understand that all represents the vertical profile of Wind, but then why do we use these three different terms?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-07-07T08:44:09.333Z
Omega is also called vertical p-velocity, for example see after equation 7 in [this paper](https://journals.ametsoc.org/jas/article/30/4/611/18621/Determination-of-Bulk-Properties-of-Tropical-Cloud)
duff18
<wind>
What is the difference between w-wind, vertical p-velocity and Omega?
Kay
# What is the difference between w-wind, vertical p-velocity and Omega?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-06-24)

I am wondering the difference between w-wind, vertical p-velocity and Omega.
I understand that all represents the vertical profile of Wind, but then why do we use these three different terms?

**Tags:** wind

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Omega is also called vertical p-velocity, for example see after equation 7 in [this paper](https://journals.ametsoc.org/jas/article/30/4/611/18621/Determination-of-Bulk-Properties-of-Tropical-Cloud)  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-06-25. Score: 6

I haven't come across the vertical p-velocity, so I am unsure what that is trying to communicate.

w is the vertical velocity with units of length per second. Travelling away from the surface means that w is positive.

Omega is the vertical velocity in pressure coordinates (so positive omega is negative w). Omega has units of pressure per time.

Because much of the operational meteorology uses pressure surfaces, omega is a more common quantity to see.


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