Dry static stability types

Unstable (ELR > Γd ) Γd ~ 10 K km-1 Γd - dry

adiabat
z
The ELR is sufficiently lapse
that if the parcel is nudged
upward or downward it will
continue, even accelerate).
Conditions are conducive to
ELR ELR
vertical motion (thermal
turbulence, free convection)
0
T θ

Typically found near the ground by day if strong heating, or if there is

advection of a colder airmass aloft. Very good for dispersion and
mixing, development of thermals and convective cloud (cumulus)
 Dry static stability types

Stable (ELR < Γd )

Γd - dry
Γd adiabat
The ELR is an inversion or z
very weakly lapse. If a parcel ELR
is nudged upward or ELR

downward it will be repelled

and return to its original
position. Structure physically
opposes vertical motion,
0
dampens turbulence. Poor for T θ
dispersion and mixing
Typically found near the ground at night if strong emission and little wind.
Also formed by advection of warm air over colder surface, or advection or
subsidence of warm air aloft. Poor for dispersion and mixing. Smoke and
fog lie in horizontal layers
Dry static stability types

Neutral (ELR ~ Γd )
The ELR is weakly lapse. z Γd - dry
ELR
There is no significant relative adiabat
ELR
buoyancy. If a parcel is
nudged upward or
downward it will come to rest
Γd
where the disturbing force is
removed, i.e. it stays at its
0
new position T θ

Typically found when there is little surface heating or cooling (heavy

overcast) and/or when winds are strong so that the air is thoroughly
mixed (homogenized). Does not aid or restrict dispersion and mixing –
plumes are conic and steadily occupy larger air volume
Saturated Adiabatic Lapse Rate

The saturated adiabatic lapse rate Γs is less than the Γd because

of the appearance of this ‘hidden’ heat. However, Γs is not a
constant rate with height because Δr varies with T and p. At high
temperatures saturated air contains much greater moisture
Typically Γs is between 4 K km-1 when warm, and 9 K km-1 when
cold.
It follows that saturated adiabats are curved – they are least
‘steep’ where its warmer, near the
ground, and increasingly steep aloft. Γ = between 4 and 9 K km
s
-1

Eventually they become parallel to

Height →
the dry adiabats, when all moisture
is condensed out. T = T
d

A parcel rising through the atmosphere

Γ = 10K km -1
first follows Γd until it reaches its T d
d

dewpoint (Td) then it follows Γs Temperature T →

Lifting Condensation Level (LCL)
Height where T = Td and saturation occurs is the average cloud
base across the landscape and on hillsides - known as the Lifting
Condensation Level (LCL)

Γs – < 10K km-1

- saturated adiabat
Height →

Clouds

Lifting Condensation Level –

T = Td
LCL, and cloud base

ELR
Γd = 10K km-1
- dry adiabat
Td
Temperature T →
Lifting Condensation Level (LCL)
Height where T = Td and saturation occurs is the average cloud
base across the landscape and on hillsides - known as the Lifting
Condensation Level (LCL)

Γs – < 10K km-1

- saturated adiabat
Height →

Clouds

Lifting Condensation Level –

T = Td
LCL, and cloud base

ELR
Td 2o/km Γd = 10K km-1
- dry adiabat
Td
Temperature T →
Conditional Instability (and Level of Free Convection - LFC)

We now recognize a 4th type of stability – Conditional Instability – when

Γd > ELR >Γs.. Means parcel becomes unstable if only it is lifted until
shortly after it becomes saturated
The average ELR is ~6.4 K km-1 so the atmosphere is usually in this state
The height where the parcel becomes warmer than its surroundings and
thereafter accelerates on upward under its own buoyancy is the LFC

Unstable Γs
Height →

LFC – Level of Free Convection

LCL – Lifting Condensation Level

Stable
Γd
ELR

Temperature T →