What Can You Learn from a Thermometer on a Rising Balloon?
ES1702  Soundings at Different Times

Comparing the height of the tropopause during the day with its height during the night provides further information about the global shape of the troposphere.
Data from National Weather Service

These two graphs show temperature versus altitude data from Madrid, Spain on August 20, 2001. The first represents a balloon launch at 00Z (midnight their local time) and the second shows data from a launch at 12Z (noon their local time). Consider how sunlight warming the atmosphere might affect the height of the tropopause.

  !   Click each graph to see a larger view.

8. In general, how does the height of the tropopause change from day to night? 



	

 	

		
			
	

	
	

		 
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