The wet adiabatic lapse rate applies to air masses that are rising and have reached saturation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The wet adiabatic lapse rate only applies to rising air masses that have become saturated with water vapor, causing the formation of clouds and potentially precipitation. This is because the release of latent heat through the process of condensation affects the rate at which the air cools as it rises, causing a slower rate of cooling than the dry adiabatic lapse rate. Therefore, the wet adiabatic lapse rate is specifically relevant to saturated air masses undergoing adiabatic cooling, and not to all air masses in general.

The Wet Adiabatic Lapse Rate Applies to Air Masses That