Atmospheric Stability 3
Atmospheric Stability 3 : Natural Disaster. The degree to which the vertical movement of air within the atmosphere is enhanced or suppressed. The stability of the atmosphere can be classified in one of three ways: (1) Stable atmosphere - An atmospheric condition that occurs when the potential temperature within a vertical layer of air increases with altitude. A stable atmosphere will suppress the vertical movement of air (i.e. convection) and is likely to produce predictable fire behaviour. The inhibition of vertical motion in the atmosphere can also cause a build-up of fire-generated smoke pollution. (2) Neutral atmosphere - A neutral atmosphere will neither enhance nor suppress the vertical movement of air. (3) Unstable atmosphere - An atmospheric condition that occurs when the potential temperature within a vertical layer of air decreases with altitude. An unstable atmosphere will enhance and support the vertical movement of air and is more likely to produce erratic, unpredictable and extreme fire behaviour
No records Found