A vehicle rollover sensing apparatus and method are provided for detecting a rollover condition of the vehicle. The rollover sensing apparatus includes an angular rate sensor for sensing attitude rate of change of a vehicle and a lateral accelerometer for sensing lateral dynamics of the vehicle. The rollover sensing apparatus also has an integrator for integrating the sensed attitude rate of change signal over a variable time window and producing an attitude angle. The rollover sensing apparatus further includes deployment logic for comparing the attitude angle and attitude rate of change to a pair of variable threshold values with a gray-zone that varies based on time, and for deploying a vehicle overturn condition signal based on the comparison. Sensitivity of the deployment logic is adjusted as a function of the sensed lateral dynamics to enhance rollover deployment during certain driving events.