What is the approximate dry adiabatic lapse rate?

The dry adiabatic lapse rate refers to the rate at which a parcel of dry air cools as it rises through the atmosphere. This rate is approximately 10 degrees Celsius per kilometer. As air rises, it expands due to the decrease in atmospheric pressure, and in the absence of moisture (i.e., when the air is considered dry), it will cool at this constant rate. This is a key concept in meteorology, as it helps to understand how temperature changes with elevation and is foundational for explaining phenomena such as cloud formation and stability in the atmosphere.

Understanding this lapse rate is crucial for predicting weather patterns and determining the potential for thunderstorms and other atmospheric processes. This rate differs from the moist adiabatic lapse rate, which is lower due to the release of latent heat during condensation when moisture is present, but the dry adiabatic lapse rate is consistently around 10 degrees Celsius per kilometer under ideal conditions.