The Environmental Lapse Rate is the rate of decrease in air temperature with height. This occurs because the Earth’s surface is heated by the sun and the air above it is heated by contact with the warm surface. The air near the ground is warmer than the air higher up so it rises. This sets up a convection current with warm air rising and cooler air sinking. The air at high altitude is colder than the air near the ground so the warm air cools as it rises.
The Environmental Lapse Rate is usually expressed as the rate of change of temperature with height in degrees Celsius per metre (°C/m). The average Environmental Lapse Rate in the tropics is about 6.5 °C/km while in the mid-latitudes it is about 9.8 °C/km. At the poles the Environmental Lapse Rate can be as high as 20 °C/km.
The Environmental Lapse Rate is affected by many factors including the time of day the season the weather and the altitude of the location. The rate can also vary from place to place depending on the local climate.
The Environmental Lapse Rate is an important factor in aviation as it can affect the amount of lift generated by an aircraft’s wings. If the air temperature is too low the aircraft may not be able to generate enough lift to take off.
References:
https://www.britannica.com/science/environmental-lapse-rate
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Environmental+lapse+rate
https://www.aviationweather.gov/glossary/lapse+rate
What is the environmental lapse rate?
The environmental lapse rate is the rate of decrease of temperature with height in the lower atmosphere.
What factors influence the environmental lapse rate?
The environmental lapse rate is influenced by factors such as latitude elevation and season.
How does the environmental lapse rate vary with latitude?
The environmental lapse rate generally decreases with increasing latitude.
How does the environmental lapse rate vary with elevation?
The environmental lapse rate generally decreases with increasing elevation.
How does the environmental lapse rate vary with season?
The environmental lapse rate generally decreases in the winter and increases in the summer.
What is the dry adiabatic lapse rate?
The dry adiabatic lapse rate is the rate of decrease of temperature with height in the absence of moisture.
What is the wet adiabatic lapse rate?
The wet adiabatic lapse rate is the rate of decrease of temperature with height in the presence of moisture.
How does the dry adiabatic lapse rate compare to the wet adiabatic lapse rate?
The dry adiabatic lapse rate is usually greater than the wet adiabatic lapse rate.
What is the normal lapse rate?
The normal lapse rate is the rate of decrease of temperature with height in the standard atmosphere.
What is the difference between the normal lapse rate and the environmental lapse rate?
The environmental lapse rate can be either greater than or less than the normal lapse rate.
What causes the environmental lapse rate to be greater than the normal lapse rate?
The environmental lapse rate can be greater than the normal lapse rate due to factors such as convection or cloud formation.
What causes the environmental lapse rate to be less than the normal lapse rate?
The environmental lapse rate can be less than the normal lapse rate due to factors such as radiation or inversion.
What is an inversion?
An inversion is a situation where the temperature increases with height instead of decreases.
What is the significance of the environmental lapse rate?
The environmental lapse rate is significant because it influences the formation of clouds and precipitation.
What are some of the applications of the environmental lapse rate?
The environmental lapse rate has applications in aviation weather forecasting and climate modeling.
