Atmospheric Stability

Infrared Satellite Images and the Destabilization of Air: A sequence of infrared satellite images illustrates how air becomes more unstable during the course of a day. Courtesy of Dept. of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Solar Heating as a Lifting Mechanism to Trigger Thunderstorms: An animation of visible satellite images illustrates the explosive nature of mid-afternoon thunderstorms triggered by solar heating of the surface. Courtesy of Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, Colorado State University

Related Web Sites
Stability Indices	Learn about how various stability indices are computed and interpreted including the Showalter Index, K-index, Lifted Index, Total Totals Index, and Sweat Index.
Forecast Soundings	Examine soundings created from forecast model data to determine where atmospheric instability may develop.
NESDIS GOES Temperature and Moisture Sounding Fields	Plots of satellite derived stability variables including LI, CAPE, CINH, and TPW.