Why do you need a steep vertical temperature gradient in the atmosphere in order to get hurricane development?
A) If the atmosphere warms quickly with increasing altitude then the humidity will go up.
B) If the atmosphere warms quickly with increasing altitude then the clouds will grow higher.
C) If the atmosphere cools quickly with increasing altitude then the humidity of the air will decrease.
D) If the atmosphere cools quickly with increasing altitude then the clouds will grow higher.
E) If the temperature in the atmosphere changes continuously then it will cause turbulence in the air stream.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A steep vertical temperature gradient means that there is a rapid decrease in temperature as altitude increases. This leads to a more unstable atmosphere, which allows for the formation of towering cumulus clouds that can develop into hurricanes. As the atmosphere cools quickly with increasing altitude, the humidity of the air will also decrease, creating an environment that favors hurricane development.

Why Do You Need a Steep Vertical Temperature Gradient in the Atmosphere