ESS227
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
Dry and Moist Adiabatic Lapse Rates
q Dry adiabatic lapse rate is constant = 10ºC/km.
q Moist adiabatic lapse rate is NOT a constant. It depends on the temperature of saturated air parcel.
qThe higher the air temperature, the smaller the moist adiabatic lapse rate.
qèWhen warm, saturated air cools, it causes more condensation (and more latent heat release) than for cold, saturated air.