Change in number of days a year atmosphere is unstable: 2021 vs. 1979

Days when the atmosphere is unstable have become more common across Maryland. Measuring instability with Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE), researchers found that most of the state had between 20 and 39 more days in 2021 than in 1979 of CAPE readings of at least 1,000 J/kg, which is often considered a lower threshold for severe storms.

-40 or fewer -20 to -39 -10 to -19 -5 to -9 -1 to -4 1 to 4 5 to 9 10 to 19 20 to 39 40 or more