Tropopause

The tropopause is the transitional layer between the troposphere and the stratosphere, where the temperature gradient shifts from decreasing with altitude to increasing with altitude. This boundary layer serves as a barrier and limits the vertical exchange of gases and molecules. The tropopause also acts as a lid that confines most of the water vapor and associated weather systems to the lower atmosphere, preventing them from entering the stable stratosphere. Therefore, it is a critical layer that plays a crucial role in the Earth’s atmosphere and affects weather patterns, atmospheric chemistry, and climate. Its height and properties vary globally and seasonally, and it is influenced by various factors such as temperature, pressure, and atmospheric circulation. Measurements and understanding of the tropopause are essential for weather forecasting, aviation, and climate modeling.