Lid

From Glossary of Meteorology



lid

(Also known as cap, capping inversion, capping layer.) A thin layer with enhanced static stability separating a layer below possessing large convective available potential energy from a layer above with lower static stability.

The presence of a lid is generally accompanied by substantial convective inhibition. Air parcels with insufficient kinetic energy rising into the bottom of a lid will be unable to penetrate it.


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