conditional stability

In meteorology, it is that condition when the observed lapse rate is between the dry and wet adiabatic lapse rates. Dry and wet adiabatic lapse rates are the rates of fall of the temperature of a mass of dry and saturated air with height when these are lifted adiabatically. The values for DALR (dry adiabatic lapse rate) and SALR (saturated adiabatic lapse rate) are 3°C/5.4°F and 1.5°C/2.7°F per thousand feet, respectively. In this condition, a parcel of dry air will tend to come back to its original level if it is pushed upward for any reason. On the other hand, a parcel of saturated air will continue to rise, as it still will be warmer (and hence lighter) than the surrounding air.