Conditional instability is when the lapse rate of an air parcel is ________.
A) greater than the wet adiabatic lapse rate
B) greater than the dry adiabatic lapse rate
C) less than the wet adiabatic lapse rate
D) less than the dry adiabatic lapse rate
E) between the wet and dry adiabatic lapse rate

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Conditional instability occurs when the environmental lapse rate (the rate at which temperature decreases with altitude) is between the dry and wet adiabatic lapse rates. This means the atmosphere is stable to unsaturated air parcels (which cool at the dry adiabatic lapse rate when lifted) but unstable to saturated air parcels (which cool at the slower, wet adiabatic lapse rate when lifted).

Conditional Instability Is When the Lapse Rate of an Air