The cloud base altitude is the minimum height at which a cloud can form. It is the point at which the (dry-bulb) temperature and dew-point temperature meet. If you know the temperature and the dew point temperature, the cloud base can be determined using the following equation:

(Dry-Bulb Temperature (ºC) - Dew Point Temperature (ºC))/8 = Cloud Base Altitude (km)

This came to me during an earth science test. I wasn't the first to come up with it, but I came up with it by myself. I swear!

Knowing that the dry adiabatic lapse rate is 10ºC per kilometer, and the dew point lapse rate is 2ºC per kilometer, I set up this equation:

Let T = Temperature in ºC
Let D = Dew Point Temperature in ºC
Let X = Cloud Base Altitude in Kilometers

Step 1)  T - 10X = D - 2X
Step 2)    + 10X     +10X
Step 3)  T       = D + 8X
Step 4) -D        -D
Step 5)  T - D = 8X
Step 6)    /8   /8

(T-D)/8=X

Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors.