Air parcels are bodies of air that are bound together by temperature and pressure. Understanding the properties and behaviours of these air parcels is integral to meteorology and climate research. Rising and descending parcels of air are two distinct types of air parcels, and here we explore what makes them unique.

Rising Parcels of Air

Rising air parcels occur when the temperature of air is warmer than the air surrounding it, causing the air parcel to become less dense and become buoyant. This buoyancy leads to the parcel rising upwards, until it reaches an altitude where the temperature of the surrounding air is the same as the air parcel. When this happens, the upward motion stops and the parcel of air returns to its original level.

Descending Parcels of Air

Descending air parcels occur when the temperature of the air is cooler than the air surrounding it, causing the air parcel to become denser and become less buoyant. This decrease in buoyancy causes the parcel to descend until it reaches an altitude where the temperature of the surrounding air is the same as the air parcel. When this happens, the downward motion stops and the parcel of air returns to its original level.

Summary

Rising and descending parcels of air have distinct properties and behaviours. Rising parcels of air occur when the temperature of the air is warmer than the air surrounding it, causing the air parcel to become less dense and becoming buoyant, leading to its rising motion. Descending parcels of air occur when the temperature of the air is cooler than the air surrounding it, causing the air parcel to become denser and becoming less buoyant, leading to its descending motion.