Temperature Variation With Height

Within the troposphere, temperature generally decreases with altitude. This is due to the fact that Earth’s lower atmosphere is heated significantly by terrestrial radiation.

The standard lapse rate is 1.98°C / 1,000 feet, however, the actual lapse rate may be greater or less than the standard one. A pilot should familiarize themselves with the following types of lapse rates, they will be discussed in more detail in upcoming lessons:

  • Environmental Lapse Rate: The environmental lapse rate (ELR), is the rate of decrease of temperature with altitude in the stationary atmosphere at a given time and location.
  • Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate: The lapse rate for a dry atmosphere, which may contain water vapour but which has no liquid moisture present in the form of fog, droplets, or clouds.
  • Wet Adiabatic Lapse Rate: The lapse rate for a wet atmosphere, which may contain water vapour and visible moisture in the form of fog, droplets, or clouds.

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