What happens to the temperature as altitude increases?

As altitude increases, the temperature typically drops. This phenomenon occurs due to the thinning of the atmosphere at higher elevations, which leads to reduced air pressure and lower temperatures. The Earth's surface absorbs solar radiation and radiates heat, warming the air closest to it. However, as one ascends into the atmosphere, the air becomes less dense, and there are fewer air molecules to retain heat.

In the troposphere, which extends from the Earth's surface up to about 8 to 15 kilometers (5 to 9 miles), the average temperature decrease with altitude is roughly 6.5 degrees Celsius per kilometer, a principle known as the environmental lapse rate. This consistent decrease in temperature with increasing altitude is a fundamental aspect of atmospheric science and helps to explain various weather patterns and climate zones.