Description
Return layer lapse rate and a reference residual.
Atmospheric state formulas depend on absolute temperature, pressure reference, water mass/volume bases and layer assumptions. Local adiabatic, hydrostatic or precipitation terms can illustrate a supplied model without reconstructing an actual profile, validating an instrument or predicting weather hazards.
Return layer lapse rate and a reference residual.
When to use this tool
Use Tropopause Layer Lapse Rate Gap when checking the stated atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity or water-basis term.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter lowerTemperature, upperTemperature, thicknessMetres, referenceKelvinPerKilometre. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read lapseKelvinPerKilometre, gap. Use the output convention below.
Return layer lapse rate and a reference residual. Require thicknessMetres > 0; lapseKelvinPerKilometre = 1000*(lowerTemperature-upperTemperature)/thickness, gap subtracts supplied reference.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| lowerTemperature | Lower Temperature | Required. Finite number. |
| upperTemperature | Upper Temperature | Required. Finite number. |
| thicknessMetres | Thickness Metres | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| referenceKelvinPerKilometre | Reference Kelvin Per Kilometre | Required. Finite number. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| lapseKelvinPerKilometre | Positive when temperature decreases upward over the supplied layer. | Required. Finite number. |
| gap | Signed difference under the stated comparison convention, with matching units. | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"lowerTemperature": 220,
"upperTemperature": 216,
"thicknessMetres": 2000,
"referenceKelvinPerKilometre": 2
},
"output": {
"lapseKelvinPerKilometre": 2,
"gap": 0
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Positive means cooling upward; this does not locate a tropopause, assess a full lapse-rate criterion or validate observations.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use verified observations and an appropriate complete thermodynamic/profile analysis with explicit units, references and moisture assumptions for meteorological conclusions.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Virtual Temperature Reference Gap
Return a supplied virtual-temperature equivalent and reference gap.
- Potential Temperature Reference Ratio
Return potential-temperature scaling with a supplied exponent.