Dictionary definition: thermal

Dictionary definition: condensation level
A Dictionary of Earth Sciences;      263 words ...condensation level The atmospheric level at which condensation occurs as a result of convection, the lifting of air (e.g. orographic lifting), or vertical mixing. See also LIFTING CONDENSATION LEVEL ; and CONVECTIVE CONDENSATION LEVEL .

Dictionary definition: convective condensation level
A Dictionary of Ecology;      246 words ...convective condensation level The level at which surface air will become saturated when rising by convection . See also lifting condensation level .

Dictionary definition: mixing condensation level
A Dictionary of Earth Sciences;      270 words ...mixing condensation level The vertical mixing of air, e.g. in the amalgamation of air masses with different temperatures, leading to conditions of oversaturation and condensation. The mixing condensation level is the lowest level at which condensation can occur.

Article: Comparison between observed convective cloud-base heights and ...
Weather and Forecasting;  August 1, 2002 ;     700+ words ... ... of 2001. These observations were compared with lifting condensation level (LCL) heights above ground level determined by 0000 ... afternoon boundary layer. 1. Introduction The lifting condensation level (LCL) has long been used to estimate boundary layer ...

Dictionary definition: lifting condensation level
A Dictionary of Weather;      249 words ...lifting condensation level The level to which a parcel of air must be raised before expansion and cooling (at the dry adiabatic lapse rate ) cause it to reach saturation .

Dictionary definition: thermal
A Dictionary of Ecology;      275 words ...thermal (noun) Air that rises in a column ... result of its reduced density. When thermals rise to the condensation level , short-lived clouds (e.g ... may form. In continued strong thermals, the cloud may develop into large ...

Encyclopedia entry: vertical air motion
The Oxford Companion to the Earth;      700+ words ... ... Parcels of air, or thermals , which are isolated ... atmosphere, thermals move from a region ... if lifted to condensation level, will cool at ... rising parcel (thermal), which cools ... lapse rate to condensation level, and by the ...