How is the pressure lapse rate in warm air characterized compared to cold air?

In warm air, the pressure lapse rate is characterized as being less than that in cold air. This is primarily because warm air is less dense than cold air, leading to a slower decrease in pressure with altitude.

In warm air, the molecules are more energetic and are spaced farther apart compared to cold air, which makes the overall density lower. As a result, the decrease in pressure with altitude is more gradual. In contrast, in cold air, the greater density means that pressure decreases more rapidly with height.

This difference in the pressure lapse rates is crucial for understanding various meteorological phenomena, such as the behavior of air masses and the formation of weather systems.