Temperature lapse rate
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The temperature lapse rate, also referred to as the environmental lapse rate, is the rate of decrease of air temperature with altitude. The temperature lapse rate varies with time, and can change over the course of hours or weeks. Knowing the current rate is important to meteorology for use in weather forcasts. Meteorologists use radiosondes to measure the temperature lapse rate and compare it to the predicted adiabatic lapse rate to forecast the stability of the air. A steep temperature lapse rate (i.e. large temperature changes with height) usually indicates less stable air, and can contribute to thunderstorms and poor weather.
The ICAO international standard atmosphere has a temperature lapse rate of 6.5 °C per km (1.9812 °C per 1000 ft) from sea level to 11 km.
External links
- National Science Digital Library - Environmental lapse rate (http://www.nsdl.arm.gov/Library/glossary.shtml#environmental_lapse_rate)