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Temperature At Altitude Formula:
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The Temperature At Altitude formula calculates the temperature at a specific altitude based on the initial temperature and the environmental lapse rate. This is important in meteorology, aviation, and environmental science to understand how temperature changes with elevation.
The calculator uses the Temperature At Altitude formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula assumes a linear decrease in temperature with increasing altitude, which is a reasonable approximation for many atmospheric conditions.
Details: Accurate temperature estimation at different altitudes is crucial for weather forecasting, flight planning, climate studies, and understanding environmental gradients in mountainous regions.
Tips: Enter initial temperature in °C, lapse rate in °C/km, and altitude in km. All values must be valid (altitude ≥ 0, lapse rate ≥ 0).
Q1: What is a typical environmental lapse rate?
A: The average environmental lapse rate in the troposphere is approximately 6.5°C per kilometer, but it can vary significantly depending on weather conditions.
Q2: Does this formula work for all altitudes?
A: This linear approximation works best for lower altitudes (typically up to 10-15 km) and may not accurately represent temperature changes in the upper atmosphere.
Q3: How does humidity affect the lapse rate?
A: Moist air has a lower lapse rate (around 5°C/km) than dry air (around 10°C/km) due to the latent heat released during condensation.
Q4: What are temperature inversions?
A: Temperature inversions occur when temperature increases with altitude, which is the opposite of the normal lapse rate. These are common in valleys and during certain weather conditions.
Q5: How accurate is this simple formula?
A: While useful for basic estimations, actual atmospheric conditions can be more complex. For precise calculations, more sophisticated atmospheric models should be used.