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2D Cloud Formation — Lifting Condensation Level Simulator

2D side-view cloud-formation simulator: rising air cools at the real dry adiabatic lapse rate (9.8 degC/km) until it hits its dew point, condenses at the Lifting Condensation Level computed from real surface temperature and humidity, then keeps rising at the slower moist adiabatic lapse rate until it loses buoyancy against the environment. Adjust temperature and humidity and watch cloud base and cloud depth respond.

Meteorology & Weather Patterns2DModerate60 FPS📱 Mobile-adapted💧 Water 💨 Air & Wind ⇄ 3D version

This 2D companion to the 3D Cloud Formation laboratory tracks a rising air parcel's real thermodynamic state: it cools at the true dry adiabatic lapse rate (9.8°C per km) until it reaches its dew point, computed from surface temperature and humidity with the Bolton/Tetens formula, condenses at the resulting Lifting Condensation Level, and then keeps rising at the slower moist adiabatic lapse rate — slower because condensation releases latent heat — until it loses buoyancy against the surrounding air. Adjust surface temperature and humidity and watch cloud base and cloud depth respond exactly as they would in the real atmosphere.

⚙ Under the hood

2D side-view cloud-formation simulator: a rising air parcel cools at the real dry adiabatic lapse rate (9.8 degC/km) until it reaches its dew point, computed from surface temperature and humidity via the Bolton/Tetens formula, condenses at the resulting Lifting Condensation Level, then keeps rising at the slower moist adiabatic lapse rate until it loses buoyancy against the environment. Adjust surface temperature and humidity and watch cloud base and cloud depth respond exactly as the real atmosphere would.

Cloud FormationLifting Condensation LevelDew PointAdiabatic Lapse RateAtmospheric ThermodynamicsBuoyancyWeather

2D · HTML5 Canvas 2D · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install