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For K-12 Students · Atmospheric Stability

Atmospheric Stability for a coastal storm

Built for k-12 students learning it in middle or high school. Watch the idea come alive with plain-language steps and everyday examples — perfect for projects and homework. Simulate a coastal storm live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.

Atmospheric Stability (CAPE)Live

will storms fire?

Controls

Presets

Surface temperature (°C)

Environmental lapse (°C/km)

Parcel lapse (°C/km)

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.

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Data Inspector

CAPE (approx)18150 J/kg

Forecastsevere storms

Lapse rate7.5 °C/km

Governing equation

CAPE = \int_{0}^{z_{t}} g \frac{T _{p} - T _{e}}{T _{e}} d z, T_{p} - T_{e} = (7.5 - 5.0) z \Rightarrow 18150 J/kg

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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Frequently asked questions

Is this good for k-12 students?: Yes — this version of "Atmospheric Stability for a coastal storm" is framed for k-12 students learning it in middle or high school. Watch the idea come alive with plain-language steps and everyday examples — perfect for projects and homework.
Do I need to install anything?: No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.