Stability And Instability Flashcards
(17 cards)
What are LIFTING PROCESSES?
Factors that force air to rise
What does STABILITY of the air refer to?
Relative vertical motion of the air
What indicates unstable air in terms of lapse rate?
Actual lapse rate is greater than the DALR
What indicates stable air in terms of lapse rate?
Actual lapse rate is less than the SALR
If there is a steep lapse rate, the air will be _______
unstable
If there is a shallow lapse rate, the air will be _______
stable
What effect does heating from below have on lapse rate?
Increases the lapse rate, making air more unstable
What effect does cooling at night have on lapse rate?
Weakens the lapse rate, enhancing air’s stability
What is the impact of warm air moving over a cool surface?
Tends to make the air more stable
List characteristics of stable air
- Shallow lapse rate
- Layer type cloud/fog
- Precipitation of uniform intensity
- Poor visibility
- Light or no turbulence
List characteristics of unstable air
- Steep lapse rate
- Cumuloform type cloud
- Showery precipitation
- Good visibility when not in showers
- Strong turbulence
What are the methods by which the atmosphere is heated?
- RADIATION
- CONDUCTION
- ADVECTION
- CONVECTION
What methods cool the atmosphere?
- RADIATION
- ADVECTION
What are the types of lifting processes?
- CONVECTION
- CONVERGENCE
- MECHANICAL TURBULENCE
- OROGRAPHIC LIFT
- FRONTAL LIFT
What is SUBSIDENCE?
When air sinks, resulting in heating and compression
What happens to relative humidity during SUBSIDENCE?
Decreases as water evaporates
What occurs during CONVERGENCE?
Air is forced upward in low pressure systems
