atmospheric stability Flashcards
1
Q
what promotes atmospheric instability
A
- ELR is higher than DALR
- large temp difference between the surface and aloft
- warming of ground: 1) daytime surface heating 2) warm air advection 3) air moving over warm surfaces
- cooling aloft: 1) cold air advection 2) cooling by IR radiation to space
2
Q
what increases atmospheric stability
A
- ELR is lower than DALP
- small temp difference between the surface and aloft
- cooling of ground: 1) cold advection 2)air moving over cold surfaces 3) nighttime radiational cooling of ground
- warming aloft: 1) warm air advection
3
Q
why do we tend to get thunderstorm during summer
A
great surface heating promoting atmospheric instability
4
Q
what types of clouds are associated with atmospheric stability?
A
stratus- thin, resist vertical motion
5
Q
what types of clouds are associated with atmospheric instability?
A
thick clouds- due to vertical motion of condensed air
6
Q
what types of clouds are associated with conditional instability?
A
thin clouds near the LCL due to stability, then thick clouds more aloft due to instability
