instability

{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-001407",
  "term": "instability",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definition": "(abbrev. INSTBY)- The tendency for air parcels to accelerate when they are displaced from their original position; especially, the tendency to accelerate upward after being lifted. Instability is a prerequisite for severe weather - the greater the instability, the greater the potential for severe thunderstorms.",
  "see_also": [
    "conditional instability",
    "absolute instability",
    "convective instability",
    "buoyant instability",
    "Helmholtz instability",
    "inertial instability",
    "shearing instability",
    "baroclinic instability",
    "barotropic instability",
    "rotational instability"
  ],
  "references": [
    "NWS Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/instability/"
}