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Specialty Expressions: EQUILIBRIUM LEVEL

ExpressionsDomainDefinition
Equilibrium level (EL)WeatherIt is the height in the upper troposphere where a parcel of saturated air, rising because of its positive buoyancy, becomes equal in temperature to the surrounding environment. Beyond this point, the parcel become colder than its environment. As a result, it will be heavier than the surrounding air and it will begin to fall. Under the right conditions, severe thunderstorm tops can overshoot the EL by a considerable distance without reaching the tropopause. Conversely, non-severe thunderstorm tops can rise above the tropopause without overshooting the EL. Consequently, the EL provides more meaningful information than the tropopause for evaluating the strength of convective updrafts. (references)
Equilibrium level (or EL)WeatherOn a sounding, the level above the level of free convection (LFC) at which the temperature of a rising air parcel again equals the temperature of the environment. (references)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Extended Definition: Equilibrium level

Equilibrium level

In meteorology, the equilibrium level (EL), or level of neutral buoyancy (LNB), is the height at which a rising parcel of air is at a temperature of equal warmth to it. This means that unstable air is now stable when it reaches the equilibrium level and convection stops. This level is often near the tropopause and can be indicated as the anvil of a thunderstorm due to the fact that it is where the thunderstorm updraft is usually cut off, except in the case of overshooting tops.

See also

  • Atmospheric thermodynamics

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Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "Equilibrium level". Image Credit.