National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rains in the Southern Plains, Northwest, and Upper Midwest

Heavy to severe thunderstorms may bring areas of excessive rainfall and flooding over parts of the southern Plains through Friday. There is an increased risk of flash flooding in east Texas today. Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are also possible across parts of the upper Midwest and northwestern states. Read More >

Automatically generated image showing areas of convective available potential energy.

 

Thumbnail of an automatically generated image showing areas of convective available potential energy. Thumbnail of an automatically generated image showing areas of convective available potential energy. Thumbnail of an automatically generated image showing areas of convective available potential energy.
Hour - 1 Hour - 2 Hour -3

4 Panel Display | Animated Loop

CAPE 

This is a surface based Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) measurement only.  In the cool season, elevated instability may be much higher than surface based cape.

On average, CAPE of 1000 J/Kg is usually sufficient for strong to severe storms. CAPE of 3,000 to 4,000 J/Kg or higher is usually a signal of a very volatile atmosphere that could produce severe storms if other environmental parameters are in place.

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