Equilibrium level

In meteorology, the equilibrium level (EL), or level of neutral buoyancy (LNB), or limit of convection (LOC), is the height at which a rising parcel of air is at a temperature of equal warmth to it.

Diagram showing an air parcel path when raised along B-C-E compared to the surrounding air mass Temperature (T) and humidity (Tw)

This means that unstable air is now stable when it reaches the equilibrium level and convection stops. This level is often near the tropopause and can be indicated as the anvil of a thunderstorm because it is where the thunderstorm updraft is usually cut off, except in the case of overshooting tops where it continues rising to the maximum parcel level (MPL) due to momentum.

See also

• Atmospheric thermodynamics
• Convective instability
• Level of free convection
• Lifted condensation level

External links

• The Difference Between the Equilibrium Level and Maximum Parcel Level
• Identity of Storm Features