National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Heavy Rainfall This Weekend in the Southern Plains and in South Florida; Bering Sea Storm in Alaska

A slow moving front will produce a threat for heavy rainfall and severe weather from New Mexico into the western High Plains through the weekend. Heavy rainfall is also expected this weekend in South Florida. The Bering Sea storm continues to bring heavy precipitation, strong winds, and minor to major coastal flooding through the weekend across western Alaska. Read More >

Surface to 1km Lapse Rate

A lapse rate is the rate of temperature change with height. The faster the temperature decreases with height, the "steeper" the lapse rate and the more unstable the atmosphere becomes. Values less than 5.5-6.0 degrees C/km represent stable conditions, while values near 9.5 degrees C/km are considered unstable. Between these values, lapse rates are considered conditionally unstable, meaning that it may become unstable if enough moisture is present. For more information on lapse rates, please click here.