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CAPE and CIN from Supplied Virtual-Temperature Profiles

Integrate supplied virtual-temperature profiles for CAPE and CIN on explicit bounds, or estimate a documented uniform negative-buoyancy layer.

Use this result well

Inputs that matter
Environment virtual temperature (K), Environment minus parcel virtual temperature (K), Uniform layer depth (m), Sources and assumptions, and 5 more
Output to expect
Uniform virtual-temperature deficit energy, Supplied parcel-profile CAPE and CIN integrals
  • Check the units and required inputs before comparing results.
  • Keep the assumptions with a copied result so you can reproduce the calculation later.
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Reference & details

How it works

Uniform virtual-temperature deficit energy

Estimate negative buoyancy energy over a uniform layer using the actual environment virtual temperature in kelvin and the parcel virtual-temperature deficit. This is an idealized layer integral, not a complete sounding-derived CIN calculation.

B = −g ΔTv/Tv,environment; signed energy = B × depth. g=9.80665 m/s²; all virtual temperatures use kelvin.

Supplied parcel-profile CAPE and CIN integrals

Integrate actual parcel-minus-environment virtual temperatures in log pressure with explicitly supplied LFC and EL bounds. Supply the full computed parcel ascent and its origin; this mode does not construct a parcel path from surface data.

Energy = Rd ∫ ΔTv d ln(Pbottom/P). CIN: parcel origin to supplied LFC; CAPE: supplied LFC to supplied EL or explicitly selected profile top. Use trapezoids with log-pressure interpolation.

Updated: September 2026

Example Scenarios

Inspect the example and its input basis, then substitute your own documented measurements or matched cases.

Environment virtual temperature (K): 300Environment minus parcel virtual temperature (K): 2Uniform layer depth (m): 500

→ -32.688833 J/kg signed negative-buoyancy energy

Inspect the example and its input basis, then substitute your own documented measurements or matched cases.

Parcel origin and ascent method: Illustrative supplied virtual-temperature profile, LFC=900 hPa, EL=600 hPaSupplied LFC pressure (hPa): 900Supplied EL pressure (hPa): 600Upper integration bound: elVirtual-temperature profile: 1000 | 300 | 299 900 | 290 | 290 750 | 275 | 279 600 | 260 | 260

→ 232.777519 J/kg CAPE integral on supplied bounds

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mixing observation and model inputs

Use the exact units, timestamp, level and measurement or model basis stated by the selected mode. A similar quantity from another instrument or product is not automatically interchangeable.

Treating an illustrative case as a measurement

Replace the example with your own sourced inputs. Retain missing values and method limits, and keep raw source data alongside a saved calculation.

FAQ

Estimate negative buoyancy energy over a uniform layer using the actual environment virtual temperature in kelvin and the parcel virtual-temperature deficit. This is an idealized layer integral, not a complete sounding-derived CIN calculation. Integrate actual parcel-minus-environment virtual temperatures in log pressure with explicitly supplied LFC and EL bounds. Supply the full computed parcel ascent and its origin; this mode does not construct a parcel path from surface data.

Retain the station or profile identity, observation or issue/valid time, measurement units, quality flags, source and stated method. Missing values, trace precipitation and known zeros have different meanings.

Save weather case keeps an explicit local record. Copy MD includes current inputs and notes; Download CSV includes the current result breakdown. Keep portable copies separately and retain raw source data.

About CAPE and CIN from Supplied Virtual-Temperature Profiles

Estimate negative buoyancy energy over a uniform layer using the actual environment virtual temperature in kelvin and the parcel virtual-temperature deficit. This is an idealized layer integral, not a complete sounding-derived CIN calculation. Integrate actual parcel-minus-environment virtual temperatures in log pressure with explicitly supplied LFC and EL bounds. Supply the full computed parcel ascent and its origin; this mode does not construct a parcel path from surface data.