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dry adiabatic lapse rate
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dry adiabatic lapse rate

atmospheric science
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Quick Summary

The dry adiabatic lapse rate describes the rate at which a parcel of unsaturated air cools as it rises through the atmosphere. This cooling occurs because the air parcel expands due to lower atmospheric pressure at higher altitudes. The energy required for this expansion is drawn from the air parcel itself, causing its temperature to decrease without any heat transfer to its surroundings.12

For dry air, this rate is approximately 9.8 °C per kilometer (28.3 °F per mile). This concept is crucial for meteorologists as it helps determine atmospheric stability, influencing the formation of clouds, thunderstorms, and turbulence.1

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. lapse rate
  2. Why are Higher Elevations Colder?

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