Changing Stability » Heating and Cooling Diabatic Heating and Cooling

Diabatic heating and cooling effects are generally important only near the ground surface and within some clouds. Radiative heating and cooling lead to the formation of daytime low-level instability and nocturnal low-level stability, respectively. Radiative processes in the free air and at cloud tops, however, are slow and their effect on the lapse rate are generally minimal. The release of the latent heat of condensation has important local effects, potentially leading to deep convection. In addition, evaporation and melting effects have a significant impact on lapse rates locally in instances of heavy precipitation.