On the lee side of the mountain, is the relative humidity of the parcel increasing or decreasing as it descends from 4000 meters to sea level? Why?

Assume that a parcel of air is forced to rise up and over a 4000-meter-high mountain (as shown). The initial temperature of the parcel at sea level is 30°C, and the lifting condensation level (LCL) of the parcel is 2000 meters. The DAR is 10°C/1000 m and the SAR is 6°C/1000 m. Assume that condensation begins at 100% relative humidity and that no evaporation takes place as the parcel descends.








Decreasing. Warming increases capacity, so relative humidity decreases.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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