Adiabatic Cooling of Rising Air

Adiabatic temperature changes occur when
Air is compressed
Motion of air molecules increases
Air will warm
Descending air is compressed due to increasing air pressure
Air expands
Air will cool
Rising air will expand due to decreasing air pressure

Adiabatic rates
Dry adiabatic rate  
Unsaturated air
Rising air expands and cools at 1° C per 100 meters (5.5° F per 1000 feet)
Descending air is compressed and warms at 1° C per 100 meters

Wet adiabatic rate  
Commences at condensation level
Air has reached the dew point
Condensation is occurring and latent heat is being liberated
Heat released by the condensing water reduces the rate of cooling
Rate varies from 0.5° C to 0.9° C per 100 meters