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Atmospheric Temperature & Lapse Rate
Parameters
Surface temperature T₀:
15
°C
Surface pressure P₀:
1013
hPa
Relative humidity:
70
%
DALR – Dry adiabatic 9.8°C/km
MALR – Moist adiabatic (varies)
ISA – Standard atmosphere
ELR – Environmental lapse rate
DALR = g/cₚ ≈ 9.8 K/km
MALR ≈ 6 K/km (saturated)
P(z) = P₀·exp(-Mgz/RT)
When DALR < ELR, air parcels accelerate upward — absolutely unstable. When MALR < ELR < DALR — conditionally unstable (depends on RH). Stable when ELR < MALR. Lifting condensation level (LCL) marks cloud base where parcel becomes saturated.