1. What is Saturated Adiabatic Lapse Rate?

The Saturated Adiabatic Lapse Rate (SALR) is the rate at which saturated air cools as it rises and expands. For water vapor, this standard value is approximately 5°C per kilometer. It's slower than the dry adiabatic lapse rate due to the release of latent heat during condensation.

2. How Does This Calculator Work?

The calculator provides the standard value for water vapor:

This is a fixed value that represents the average cooling rate of saturated air containing water vapor as it rises in the atmosphere.

3. Importance of SALR

Details: Understanding SALR is crucial for meteorology and atmospheric sciences. It helps predict cloud formation, precipitation, and storm development. The difference between SALR and environmental lapse rate determines atmospheric stability.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: This calculator simply displays the standard SALR value for water vapor. Click "Show Value" to display the result.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is SALR lower than DALR?
A: Because latent heat is released during condensation, which partially offsets the cooling from expansion.

Q2: Does SALR vary with temperature?
A: Yes, it's slightly higher at very cold temperatures (can approach 9°C/km at -40°C) and lower at warm temperatures (can be as low as 3°C/km at 40°C).

Q3: How does SALR affect weather patterns?
A: It determines cloud vertical development and precipitation intensity. When environmental lapse rate exceeds SALR, conditions become unstable.

Q4: What's the difference between SALR and ELR?
A: SALR is for saturated rising air, while Environmental Lapse Rate (ELR) is the actual temperature decrease with altitude in the atmosphere.

Q5: Why is 5°C/km used as standard?
A: It's a good average for typical atmospheric conditions in the lower troposphere where most weather occurs.