Tables are available for everyone in the PredictCurrent App. One location can be saved to view the Tables page in PredictCurrent Free. PredictCurrent Pro subscribers can save up to 12 locations.

CAPE is shown in the tables below the Rain forecast. Tap on the Cape thunderstorm icon to see all available CAPE forecasts, as shown in the example below.

CAPE stands for Convective Available Potential Energy. CAPE is the fuel available to a developing thunderstorm. More specifically, it describes the atmosphere's instability and approximates updraft strength within a thunderstorm. Weather officials use CAPE to understand the potential for thunderstorms and how powerful those storms might be if they occur.

The standard measurement of energy is represented as Joules Per Kilogram. Weather experts might also use the term high instability to express a high CAPE value. The probability of heavy showers increases for CAPE values up to ~1000J/kg. CAPE values over 2500J/kg are usually referred to as a highly unstable atmosphere. Should they develop, these conditions would supply ample energy for strong updrafts and violent thunderstorms.

The standard measurement of CAPE is represented as Joules Per Kilogram; however, a high CAPE value like 2500 J/kg has too many digits to fit the Forecast Tables, so it is converted to KJ/kg (2.5). For example, in the screenshot above, the 1.5 CAPE forecast warning at 1900 on Wed 6th represents a CAPE value of 1500 J/kg, a moderately unstable forecast condition.

Severe thunderstorms require high CAPE values. The higher the CAPE value, the more energy is available to promote thunderstorm growth. However, the CAPE variable is not a magic number that can predict a thunderstorm's certainty. However, if a thunderstorm does develop, and the CAPE value is high, then there is a good chance for an explosive storm.