Where in the atmosphere does most weather occur?
Most weather happens in the lowest layer of the atmosphere called the troposphere, where the vast majority of atmospheric gases are located. The thickness of the troposphere varies with latitude and with the season, and can range from 6 to 12 miles thick. It tends to be thickest over equatorial regions and thinnest over the poles. At the top of the troposphere, the tropopause marks the transition to the next layer of the atmosphere, the stratosphere. Temperatures within the troposphere generally decrease with increasing altitude, while temperatures in the stratosphere tend to increase with increasing altitude. Learn more about basic weather topics by checking out this USA TODAY resource page.
