Where is atmospheric temperature the coldest?

The coldest atmospheric temperatures are found at the tropopause, which is the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere. As altitude increases in the troposphere, temperatures generally decrease due to the decrease in air pressure and density. This trend continues until reaching the tropopause, where temperatures typically reach their minimum before beginning to increase again in the stratosphere.

Understanding this behavior is key in meteorology. At the tropopause, which is usually found between about 8 to 15 kilometers above sea level, the temperatures can drop to around -60 degrees Celsius (-76 degrees Fahrenheit) or lower, depending on the geographical location and season. This phenomenon is closely associated with the global circulation patterns and the stratification of the atmosphere.

In contrast, atmospheric temperatures at sea level or at the ground surface are influenced heavily by solar heating and typically are warmer than those found at higher altitudes. Although temperatures can be cold at the ground, they are generally higher compared to those at the tropopause. Similarly, within the stratosphere, temperatures begin to rise again due to the absorption of ultraviolet radiation by ozone, making it warmer than at the tropopause.