Some parameters of the upper atmosphere are calculated from high-resolution surface data collected in the city of Campina Grande, PB. By verifying ten-minute mean values of temperature, moisture and radiation budget, it is possible to have an idea, in this time resolution, of parameters like: cloud cover effects, cloud base height, convective available potential energy and convection inhibition energy. It is shown how the evolution of these parameters can be used as a meteorological analysis tool. The presence of clouds changes the values of the parameters that can be estimated from surface data.
surface data; CAPE; weather
