Will today build towering thunderstorms or stay calm? It comes down to whether a rising air parcel stays warmer than its surroundings — the fuel called CAPE.
Atmospheric Stability (CAPE)Live
will storms fire?
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When a rising air parcel stays warmer than its surroundings, it keeps accelerating upward — the fuel for thunderstorms. The pink area between the parcel and environment curves is CAPE, the convective available potential energy. Large CAPE means tall, violent storms; a stable profile suppresses them. This is the core of severe-weather forecasting.
Reading this result: Steep environmental lapse (7.5 °C/km) keeps the parcel far warmer than its surroundings all the way up — huge CAPE fuels tall, violent updrafts.
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How it works
A parcel of air that remains warmer than the environment as it rises keeps accelerating upward, powering convection. The area between the parcel and environment temperature curves is the Convective Available Potential Energy. High CAPE signals tall, violent thunderstorms; a stable profile suppresses them. This is the heart of severe-weather forecasting.
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