How CAPE drives storms

When it comes to the formation of storms, there are several ingredients needed. These ingredients include moisture, instability, and a lifting mechanism. The element of instability boils down to CAPE which stands for Convective, Available, Potential, Energy.

This is basically a long acronym that stands for the fuel for storm growth. Increased CAPE leads to an increase in storm chances, and in conjunction with the other ingredients we could see increased chances of severe storms.

A prime example of this is seen looking into this evening. Showers and storms are expected to roll through Mid-Missouri after 7 PM, the severe threat remains fairly lower due to a decrease in CAPE and the churning of the winds called wind shear.

Both Wednesday and Thursday afternoon/ overnight, we see an increase in energy available for storms to use which adds to an increase in the potential severe chances.