blake
Life Member
A thermal colin (or thermal) is a column of rising air in the lower altitudes of the Earth's atmosphere. Thermals are created by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface from solar radiation, and are an example of convection. The Sun warms the ground, which in turn warms the air directly above it.
When a pool of warmer air accumulates, it expands and becomes lighter (less dense) than the surrounding air mass. The mass of lighter air will then rise, but as it does so it will cool due to expansion. This process will continue until at some height the pool of air will have cooled to the same temperature as the surrounding air, at this stage the air will stop rising. Also associated with a thermal is a downward flow surrounding the thermal column. The downward moving exterior is caused by colder air being displaced at the thermal top.
The size and strength of thermals are influenced greatly by the properties of the lower atmosphere (the troposphere). Generally, when the air is cold, bubbles of warm air formed by the ground heating the air above it, can rise like a hot air balloon. The air is then said to be unstable. If there is a warm layer of air higher up, an inversion can prevent thermals from rising high and the air is said to be stable.
Thermals are often indicated by the presence of visible cumulus clouds. When a steady wind is present thermals and their respective cumulus clouds can align in rows oriented with wind direction. Cumulus clouds formed by the rising air in a thermal as it cools and ascends, until the water vapor in the air begins to condense into visible droplets. The condensing water releases latent heat energy allowing the air to rise higher. Very unstable air can rise to great heights condensing large quantities of water and so forming showers or even thunderstorms.
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When a pool of warmer air accumulates, it expands and becomes lighter (less dense) than the surrounding air mass. The mass of lighter air will then rise, but as it does so it will cool due to expansion. This process will continue until at some height the pool of air will have cooled to the same temperature as the surrounding air, at this stage the air will stop rising. Also associated with a thermal is a downward flow surrounding the thermal column. The downward moving exterior is caused by colder air being displaced at the thermal top.
The size and strength of thermals are influenced greatly by the properties of the lower atmosphere (the troposphere). Generally, when the air is cold, bubbles of warm air formed by the ground heating the air above it, can rise like a hot air balloon. The air is then said to be unstable. If there is a warm layer of air higher up, an inversion can prevent thermals from rising high and the air is said to be stable.
Thermals are often indicated by the presence of visible cumulus clouds. When a steady wind is present thermals and their respective cumulus clouds can align in rows oriented with wind direction. Cumulus clouds formed by the rising air in a thermal as it cools and ascends, until the water vapor in the air begins to condense into visible droplets. The condensing water releases latent heat energy allowing the air to rise higher. Very unstable air can rise to great heights condensing large quantities of water and so forming showers or even thunderstorms.
PMA Members recieve priorty tech support
F
flatlander
Guest
now i can pass that science test
![shrug[1].gif](http://www.iowawhitetail.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug[1].gif)
justinredig
New Member
Thanks, i didnt know that either
Central Iowa
Life Member
Most overlook this; thermals are a very importent key to consistent success. It short cooling air falls and warming air rises.
