If the air temperature is +6 C at an elevation of 700 ft, what is the approximate freezing level based on standard lapse rate?

To determine the approximate freezing level based on the standard lapse rate, you need to understand how the temperature typically decreases with altitude in the atmosphere. The standard lapse rate in the troposphere is approximately 2°C per 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

Starting from the given air temperature of +6°C at 700 ft, we want to find the elevation where the temperature reaches 0°C (freezing level).

The difference in temperature from +6°C to 0°C is 6°C. Using the standard lapse rate, we can calculate how much altitude you need to gain to lose that 6°C. Since the temperature drops by 2°C for every 1,000 ft, you can set up the following calculation:

1. From +6°C to 0°C, the total temperature drop needed is 6°C.

2. To find the corresponding altitude gain:

• For a drop of 2°C, you gain 1,000 ft,

• Therefore, for 6°C, you will gain (6 / 2) * 1,000 ft = 3,000 ft.

Adding this altitude gain to the original 700 ft gives:

700 ft + 3,000