1. Oct 9, 2015

### TheMathNoob

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
With the drying out of Central California with global warming, the lapse rate may change from a moist adiabatic lapse rate to a dry lapse rate. Does this mean the lapse rate would decrease or increase?

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
I can see what the difference of the slopes are. I would say that moist adiabat has a higher lapse rate than the dry diabat. Therefore if we go from Moist adiabat to Dry adiabat then the lapse rate would decrease.

2. Oct 9, 2015

### haruspex

Is lapse rate quoted as $\Delta \theta / \Delta h$ or the other way around? Which is Y and which is X on the graph you are looking at?

3. Oct 9, 2015

### TheMathNoob

Sorry, do not pay attention to that picture, the lapse rate is change of altitude over the change of temperature.

4. Oct 9, 2015

5. Oct 9, 2015

### TheMathNoob

Right! thank you, so it would increase, In the dry adiabat if we go down for example 5 kilometers then t will raise to x and in the moist adiabat if we go down to 5 then t will just raise to a value that is smaller than x.

6. Oct 9, 2015

Yes.