Convective available potential energy

convective available potential energy

(Abbreviated CAPE.) The maximum buoyancy of an undiluted air parcel, related to the potential updraft strength of thunderstorms.

On a thermodynamic diagram this is called positive area and can be seen as the region between the lifted parcel process curve and the environmental sounding, from the parcel's level of free convection to its level of neutral buoyancy. CAPE may be expressed as follows:

where T_υp is the virtual temperature of a lifted parcel moving upward moist adiabatically from the level of free convection to the level of neutral buoyancy, T_υe is the virtual temperature of the environment, R_d is the specific gas constant for dry air, p_f is the pressure at the level of free convection, and p_n is the pressure at the level of neutral buoyancy. The value depends on whether the moist-adiabatic process is considered to be reversible or irreversible (conventionally irreversible, or a pseudoadiabatic process in which condensed water immediately falls out of the parcel) and whether the latent heat of freezing is considered (conventionally not). It is assumed that the environment is in hydrostatic balance and that the pressure of the parcel is the same as that of the environment. Virtual temperature is used for the parcel and environment to account for the effect of moisture on air density.
Compare convective inhibition.

Term updated 1 May 2017.

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That portion of the total potential energy that may be converted to kinetic energy in an adiabatically enclosed system.

1. That property of an object that enables it to float on the surface of a liquid, or ascend through and remain freely suspended in a compressible fluid such as the atmosphere.

An imaginary volume of air to which may be assigned any or all of the basic dynamic and thermodynamic properties of atmospheric air.