Why Should Air Rise At All?

    Data has been collected for three different balloon soundings to give you an opportunity to test your understanding of what atmospheric conditions are most likely to produce thunderstorms. The curves displayed on the balloon sounding reflect vertical changes of temperature and dew point.  They represent different conditions observed in the atmosphere which may be associated with the possibility of thunderstorm development.  Look at the three balloon soundings below and select the one that would be most conducive to vertical motion (which leads to cloud development).  When the correct sounding is selected you will be shown a quick-time movie displaying the formation of a cloud. Click directly on the balloon sounding to select it as your answer.
 

Sounding Curve #1

 

The sounding curve shows the temperature (white line on the right) and dewpoint temperature (white line on the left) of the atmosphere. The path of a rising air parcel is determined by a balance between temperature and pressure adjustments inherent to the air parcel (a complete explanation is left for a formal meteorology course). The parcel path is indicated by the yellow line. For us, an air parcel is a possible beginning of a cloud.

     

Sounding Curve #2

 

The sounding curve shows the temperature (white line on the right) and dewpoint temperature (white line on the left) of the atmosphere. The path of a rising air parcel is determined by a balance between temperature and pressure adjustments inherent to the air parcel (a complete explanation is left for a formal meteorology course). The parcel path is indicated by the yellow line. For us, an air parcel is a possible beginning of a cloud.

     

 
 

Sounding Curve #3

 

The sounding curve shows the temperature (white line on the right) and dewpoint temperature (white line on the left) of the atmosphere. The path of a rising air parcel is determined by a balance between temperature and pressure adjustments inherent to the air parcel (a complete explanation is left for a formal meteorology course). The parcel path is indicated by the yellow line. For us, an air parcel is a possible beginning of a cloud.

  Non Severe Thunderstorm  Life Cycle Section