Further Study on Atmospheric Lapse Rate Regimes

Abstract

Lapse rate, moist adiabatic lapse rate and the critical lapse rate for baroclinic adjustment are calculated as was done by Stone and Carlson using a different data set covering both hemispheres. Results show very good agreement in low latitudes, where temperature lapse rate can be approximated by the moist adiabatic lapse rate. In midlatitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, the lapse rate agrees with the critical lapse rate for baroclinic adjustment. In midlatitudes of the Southern Hemisphere, the lapse rate follows the critical lapse rate for baroclinic adjustment with a 15° lag.