In summer 2015 ECMWF introduced, in test mode, two new EFI parameters for forecasting severe convection - for CAPE and for CAPE-shear - that are described below. The test period is now over, and accordingly the parameters are now included in the ECMWF real-time catalogue (see here) and are available in dissemination. In the catalogue the EFIs for CAPE and CAPE-shear have the short names of "CAPEI" and "CAPESI" respectively. Charts based on these parameters continue to be available on the ECMWF web-site (here).
Explanation of the new parameters
While While it cannot be expected from a global NWP model cannot be expected to forecast individual convective cells, it can be used to determine such a model can tell the user whether the broadscale environment is favourable for development of deep moist convection (DMC). To facilitate forecasting severe convection two Based on this premise, and following user requests and extensive testing, the new EFI parameters have been added: CAPE and CAPESHEAR (or CAPESHEAR Parameter CSPwere added to assist with the forecasting of severe convection: the EFI for CAPE and the EFI for CAPE-shear (=CSP, for "CAPE-Shear Parameter").
- CAPE combines the effects of two of the necessary ingredients of for DMC: instability and moisture. The higher the CAPE the more unstable the air mass is.
- CAPESHEAR CSP is computed according to:
and is targeted at forecasting organised DMC such as supercell convection as the deep-layer wind shear helps organising convection into long-lived cells. The where deep-layer wind shear
is computed between levels l1=925 hPa and l2=500 hPa. The , and the second term in the formula is proportional to the maximum vertical velocity in convective updraughts updraughts as computed using simple parcel theory, i.e.:
. CAPESHEAR is thus expressed in units of specific energy (energy per unit mass), CSP is targeted at forecasting organised DMC, such as supercell convection, as the deep-layer wind shear helps to organise convection into long-lived cells. CSP units are m2/s2 .
Practical remarks
- The EFI fields for both CAPE and CAPESHEAR shows CSP show where severe convection is likely if it initiates. This means that in general high EFI values cover include also areas where DMC does not develop, for example either because the lift mechanism is missing or the capping inversion because a capping inversion, as denoted by convective inhibition (CIN), is too strong. To help determine whether DMC will initiate or not one can use for example the employ also the probability forecast for precipitation (for example), in conjunction with the EFI EFIs for CAPE and CAPESHEAR CSP (Figure 1).
- The EFI shows the extremity of a given parameter compared to the model climate. Hence high values of the EFI may appear in the areas where no severe convection develops just because the will sometimes be seen in areas where the absolute values of the convective parameters are relatively small This happens when even the extreme values of the convective parameters in the model climate are too low. For example this can happen also relatively small, as might be seen over the continents in winter. In such a scenario one should not expect deep moist convection. Conversely a large CSP EFI would be particularly concerning if seen in an area and at a time where organised DMC was relatively common.
More information about CAPE and CAPESHEAR parameters CSP can be found in the ECMWF Newsletter No.144 at http://www.ecmwf.int/sites/default/files/NL-144.pdf. here (starts on page 27).
Further details and practical information about the EFI for CAPE and CAPESHEAR CSP are also available in the help pages section below the EFI web charts, in the sub-section entitled "EFI for CAPE and CAPESHEAR at http://www.ecmwf.int/en/forecasts/charts/catalogue?f[0]=im_field_chart_type%3A481&f[1]=im_field_product_type%3A1042. CAPE-shear" here: real-time EFI-related products (select the CAPE or CAPE-shear chart, then page down to see/open this subsection).
Figure 1. EFI forecasts for A) CAPESHEARCSP; B) CAPE; C) CAPESHEAR CSP where probability of precipitation above 1mm/24h is greater than 5%; D) CAPE where probability of precipitation above 1mm/24h is greater than 5%. The EFI signal disappears over great a large part of Germany except the northern areas after filtering out the EFI values where probability of precipitation above 1 mm/24h is less than 5%. Severe convection developed just only over the northern parts of Germany while it stayed dry and sunny , whilst over the rest of the country it stayed dry and sunny.