Changing Stability » Penetrative Convection Factors that Affect Penetrative Convection
Factors that Affect Penetrative Convection
The speed with which the penetrative convection changes the lapse rate varies greatly. Some of the factors that affect the rate include:
- The duration of the convection
- The resistance (stability) of the layers affected
- The size spectrum and pattern of convective cells
The rate of change is also modified by mixing between the updrafts and their environment, as well as by any compensating subsidence. This subsidence may be spread over a much larger area than that affected by the updrafts. Widespread, continuous penetrative convection can render whole layers completely unstable. This frequently happens in layers near strongly heated ground or in layers lifted by a front.