The relationship between altitude (elevation) and temperature is generally characterized by a decrease in temperature with increasing altitude. This relationship is known as the lapse rate, which describes how temperature changes with changes in altitude in the Earth's atmosphere.
The lapse rate can vary depending on various atmospheric conditions and geographical locations, but there are a few general patterns:
Normal Lapse Rate: On average, the temperature decreases by about 6.5 degrees Celsius per 1,000 meters (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit per 1,000 feet) of altitude. This is known as the normal lapse rate or environmental lapse rate. It means that if you ascend in the atmosphere, the temperature will decrease at this rate until you reach the next layer of the atmosphere.
Temperature Inversions: Occasionally, the normal lapse rate can be disrupted, leading to temperature inversions where the temperature increases with altitude instead of decreasing. This typically occurs when a stable layer of warm air overlays a cooler layer near the ground. Temperature inversions are often associated with weather phenomena such as fog, smog, or stable atmospheric conditions.
Regional and Local Variations: The lapse rate can be influenced by various factors such as local topography, atmospheric stability, proximity to large bodies of water, and air masses. For example, areas near mountains may have different lapse rates due to orographic effects, where the terrain influences air circulation patterns and creates localized temperature variations.
It's important to note that while the lapse rate describes the average temperature changes with altitude, the actual temperature at a specific altitude can also be influenced by short-term weather patterns and variations. Additionally, these general patterns may not hold true in every location and under all atmospheric conditions.
Understanding the relationship between altitude and temperature is crucial in fields such as meteorology, aviation, and climate science, as it helps explain temperature variations and plays a role in atmospheric stability and the formation of weather systems.