Atmospheric Stability Flashcards
What is a change of temperature with height known as?
Lapse Rate
Define atmospheric stability in laymens terms
Air is said to be unstable if it rises and stable if it does not. Sinking air is stable.
Why does air rise?
Whether or not air rises depends upon its temperature in comparison with the surrounding air.
What is the average lapse rate?
6.5° Celcius per kilometre
What is frontal lifting?
When warm air rises over cold air at a frontal boundary. An advancing warm front rises over cold air, and an advancing cold front undercuts warm air.
Frontal lifting is associated with unsettled weather.
What is Orographic lifting?
Prominent geographical features such as mountain ranges cause air to rise as it passes over.
What is turbulence produced by unequal surface heating known as?
Thermal Turbulence
