Have you ever wondered what the temperature is at cruising altitude? Or why the temperature decreases as you go higher up in the atmosphere?
Our Temperature at Altitude Calculator is here to help you find an approximate temperature at any given altitude based on the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) model.
How to use Temperature at Altitude Calculator?
Enter the Temperature at Sea Level (T0):
- Input the temperature at your current location at sea level.
- Select the unit (°C or °F).
Enter the Altitude (meters):
- Input the altitude at which you want to calculate the temperature.
- The calculator will provide the temperature at the specified altitude in both Celsius and Fahrenheit.
Temperature at Altitude Calculator
Temperature at Altitude:
Celsius: N/A
Fahrenheit: N/A
What does Temperature at Altitude Calculator do?
The development of the ‘Temperature at Altitude Calculator’ aims to provide the difference in temperature as altitude changes, using the surface temperature as a reference point. This tool simplifies complex calculations, helping you find the answers with ease.
Our Temperature at Altitude Calculator is one of several tools we’ve created at MyCurrentElevation.org to assist you in both your professional and daily life.
Although we’ve put considerable effort into developing this tool, we must acknowledge that it relies on existing mathematical models to estimate temperature at different altitudes. It doesn’t provide real-time temperature profiles at specific altitudes. Temperature at any given altitude can be influenced by many factors. However, you can trust our tool for accurate temperature values in the Troposphere region.
How does temperature change with altitude: The Science Behind
Most of you might believe that temperature always decreases as the altitude increases, but this is not true. The temperature profile looks very different when you enter the different layers of the atmosphere.
For instance, the temperature first decreases, remains constant in the Tropopause region, increases in the Stratosphere, and again decreases in the Mesosphere region.
The “pauses” – Tropopause, Stratopause, Mesopause, and Thermopause – represent transitions between the layers of the atmosphere. In these transitions, the temperature generally stabilizes before changing direction again.
Are you wondering why that happens? Let’s break it down:
The ISA model, which utilizes geopotential altitude, helps us understand how temperature changes with altitude.
According to this model:
- Troposphere (0 to ∼11 km): Temperature decreases by about 6.5 °C per km.
- Tropopause (11 to 20 km): Temperature remains constant at approximately -56.5 °C.
- Stratosphere (20 to ∼32 km): Temperature increases with altitude.
- Stratopause (32 to 47 km): Temperature remains nearly constant.
- Mesosphere (47 to 51 km): Temperature decreases with altitude.
- Mesopause (51 to 86 km): Temperature continues to decrease, making it one of the coldest regions.
Why is it required to calculate Temperature at Altitude
The practical applications of the “Temperature at Altitude Calculator” are vast and varied:
Hikers and Mountaineers:
It is essential for hikers, climbers, and skiers to know the expected temperature at various altitudes. This knowledge helps them prepare for temperature-related adversity, which eventually enhances safety.
Aviation Safety and Efficiency:
For aviation, understanding temperature differences is crucial for planning a safe flight. The temperature of the region also affects aircraft performance, including engine efficiency, lift, and fuel consumption. Therefore, knowledge of temperature changes at certain altitudes is required for efficient flight.
Educational Purposes:
Teachers can use the tool to tangibly demonstrate principles of atmospheric science, thereby enhancing students’ learning experiences.