Question

At approximately what altitude above the surface would a pilot expect the base of cumuliform clouds if the surface air temperature is 82°F and the dewpoint is 38°F?

Answer 1

A pilot would expect the base of cumuliform clouds at roughly 2500 meters, or 2.5 kilometers, above the surface on a day with a surface air temperature of 82°F and a dewpoint of 38°F. This is estimated using the dry adiabatic lapse rate and the difference between the surface temperature and the dewpoint.

Step-by-step explanation:

To estimate the altitude at which a pilot would expect the base of cumuliform clouds, one can use the dry adiabatic lapse rate and knowledge of the dewpoint. The surface air temperature is given as 82°F, which is approximately 27.8°C, and the dewpoint is given as 38°F, about 3.3°C.

The dry adiabatic lapse rate is typically 9.8°C per 1000 meters. Since the dewpoint is the temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture and condensation begins, the rise in altitude cools the air to the point where the dewpoint is met and clouds form.

The formula to calculate the altitude is: Altitude = (Surface Temperature - Dewpoint) / Lapse Rate. Plugging in our values: Altitude = (27.8°C - 3.3°C) / 9.8°C per 1000 meters = roughly 2500 meters or 2.5 kilometers. This is a simplification, and the actual altitude could vary due to environmental factors such as humidity gradients and the presence of dust or other particles.