illustration 1

The air will continue to cool at this Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate until the air reaches its Dew Point, the point where the air is satuarated with moisture. At this point condensation occurs and clouds begin to form. The parcel of air, still being cooler than the surrounding air, will continue to rise but now at the Wet Adiabatic Lapse Rate, -6 degrees/1000m.

Let us take a look at this illustration. Link to Adiabatic illuatration and discussion 2

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