2. Parameters

Stability Assessment » Convective Inhibition (CIN) Definition

Definition: Convective Inhibition

The convective inhibition (CIN) is represented by the area on a skew-T enclosed by the environmental temperature profile and the temperature of a parcel lifted from some originating level to the LFC. This area indicates the amount of energy required to lift the parcel to the LFC. CIN is measured in units of joules per kilogram (J/kg).

Hypothetical sounding showing CIN and CAPE

The larger the negative area, the higher the CIN value, and the lower the likelihood of convective storms. One caveat is that if the CIN is large but storms manage to form, usually due to increased moisture and/or heating overcoming the CIN, then the storms are more likely to be severe. CIN is usually the result of a capping stable layer or inversion, with values of over 200 J/kg significantly inhibiting convective potential.