scale_height#

metpy.calc.scale_height(temperature_bottom, temperature_top)[source]#

Calculate the scale height of a layer.

\[H = \frac{R_d \overline{T}}{g}\]

This function assumes dry air, but can be used with the virtual temperature to account for moisture.

Parameters:

temperature_bottom (pint.Quantity) – Temperature at bottom of layer
temperature_top (pint.Quantity) – Temperature at top of layer

Returns:

pint.Quantity – Scale height of layer

Examples

>>> from metpy.calc import scale_height
>>> from metpy.units import units
>>> scale_height(20 * units.degC, -50 * units.degC)
<Quantity(7556.2307, 'meter')>