Suppose the surface air temperature is 66°F.If the base of a cumulus congestus cloud directly above you is 2,000 feet,what would be the approximate temperature at an altitude of 5,000 feet above you inside the cloud? (Hint: the dry adiabatic rate is 5.5°F per 1,000 feet,the moist adiabatic rate is 3.0°F per 1,000 feet.)
A)55°F
B)49°F
C)46°F
D)41°F
E)32°F

Question

Suppose the surface air temperature is 66°F.If the base of a cumulus congestus cloud directly above you is 2,000 feet,what would be the approximate temperature at an altitude of 5,000 feet above you inside the cloud? (Hint: the dry adiabatic rate is 5.5°F per 1,000 feet,the moist adiabatic rate is 3.0°F per 1,000 feet.)
A)55°F
B)49°F
C)​46°F
D)​41°F
E)​32°F

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

At the base of the cumulus congestus cloud, the temperature is 66°F. As the cloud rises, it will cool adiabatically following either a dry or moist adiabatic rate depending on the moisture content of the air inside the cloud.

Between 0-2000 feet, the temperature will decrease at the moist adiabatic rate of 3.0°F per 1,000 feet, so the temperature at 2,000 feet would be:

66°F - (3°F/1,000 feet x 2,000 feet) = 60°F

From 2,000 feet to 5,000 feet, the cloud will continue to cool adiabatically at the dry adiabatic rate of 5.5°F per 1,000 feet since the air inside the cloud is now dry due to precipitation. So, the temperature at 5,000 feet would be:

60°F - (5.5°F/1,000 feet x 3,000 feet) = 46°F

Therefore, the approximate temperature at an altitude of 5,000 feet inside the cumulus congestus cloud would be 46°F.

Suppose the Surface Air Temperature Is 66°F