Atmospheric Temperature

The term “atmospheric temperature” refers to the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere at various layers. Several things make this temperature reach new levels or drop them below levels. Factors like solar energy, humidity and altitude of that place. 

Define atmosphere temperature?

The temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere can range from 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit (1,500 degrees Celsius) in the increased level or at high temperatures to 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius) near the surface or below sea level. 

What role does atmospheric temperature play in our Earth?

Earth’s unique temperature enables it to support life on earth. They ensure earth does not heat up during the day and does not cool down to extreme levels at night.

Can we measure the atmospheric temperature?

Thermometers can be used to measure atmospheric temperatures. In these types of thermometers, there is a big glass rod with a very thin tube installed within it. The tube has a liquid that is transferred from a reservoir, or “bulb,” installed at the base of the thermometer.

The sun-Earth space energy relationship

The modification of solar radiation energy by air, clouds, land, sea and other water surfaces tells us about atmospheric temperature as we have discussed above. 

Every layer has a different atmospheric temperature. The temperature in the troposphere consistently decreases at roughly 6.5 °C per 1000 m of altitude. When it reaches 14 km, it abruptly modifies its layer at the tropopause (goes into the stratosphere). After increasing into the stratosphere, when it reaches the stratopause at about 50 km, then it undergoes another rapid transition before plummeting back into the mesosphere. Now, it comes at around 80 km altitude where the temperature levels out in the mesopause before rapidly rising in the thermosphere thus entering an electrified zone called the ionosphere. This is the final layer after which it reaches space through the exosphere.  

The temperature of the earth’s atmosphere can be determined at every level of the Earth and this varying temperature is called atmospheric temperature. Many factors influence the temperature including clouds, latitude, incoming radiation, land surface, air, altitude, ocean currents, water surface, etc.  

The temperature of the atmosphere is what causes the warmth and coldness on Earth. The sun’s rays, or solar energy, are also the primary causes of both cold and warm temperatures in the atmosphere. In a single day, the temperature of a place fluctuates in different areas or it can also change within hours, resulting in seasonal variances.

Range of temperature

The temperature range can be defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum temperature of the atmosphere. You can see two types of temperature ranges: 

• Diurnal range of temperature : 

The everyday weather pattern we generally experience can be termed as the diurnal range of temperature. This range can help us define energy fluctuations that happen over a short period.

As the earth emits long-wave radiation all night, it gradually becomes colder and cools the air. Cooling happens via conduction on a calm day with no cloud cover. Air temperature on days like this is usually lowest immediately before the sun rises. The temperature of the ground starts to rise as the sun rises. Midday becomes very much hotter, while the peak of air temperature is around 2:00 PM.

You may have noticed that after dawn, the air starts becoming warm. It remains warm because it is heated by long-wave radiation from the ground. But gradually as the night descends it fades away. For example Desert areas. Deserts usually experience the hottest days while the nights are calmer. Desert has the highest temperature while low lying areas experience low temperatures. 

• The annual average range of temperature:

The annual average range of temperature is defined as the difference between the average temperature of the hottest month and the average temperature of the coldest month of the year. Low latitudes experience a lower yearly temperature range, while high latitudes have a higher annual temperature range. The atmospheric temperature is generally higher across continents and lower over oceans and coastal regions within the same latitudes. The areas with high temperatures can lead to higher precipitation and lower temperatures lead to snowfall. 

Conclusion

Here in this article, we have learnt the definition of Atmospheric temperature. Along with that, we have learnt why precipitation happens and what is Earth’s Atmospheric Temperature. This temperature is the measure of temperature at different levels of the Earth’s atmosphere. The temperature increases and decreases due to several factors such as solar radiation, humidity and altitude.