lower atmosphere
Where weather happens
The lower atmosphere is the portion of Earth's atmosphere closest to the surface, extending roughly 10-15 kilometers up.
It includes the troposphere, where weather occurs and where nearly all human activity takes place.
The term distinguishes this breathable, denser region from the stratosphere and beyond: Pollution concentrates in the lower atmosphere.
Lowest atmospheric layer
- stratosphereSecond atmospheric layer up
- boundary layerViscous region near walls
- air columnVertical atmospheric mass
- barometric pressureWeight of air overhead
altitude · elevation · density · ceiling · visibility
Prediction of future conditions
- humidityMoisture in atmosphere
- barometerInstrument gauging atmospheric pressure
- precipitationAtmospheric water deposit
- temperatureMeasured heat intensity
drizzle · rainfall · snowfall · thunderstorm · cyclone · breeze · gale · squall
Sunlight-activated urban pollution
- particulatesMinute airborne solids or droplets
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- sootCarbon from incomplete burning
- hazeMurky atmospheric suspension
exhaust · air quality · carbon monoxide · sulfur dioxide · nitrogen oxides · industrial emissions · tailpipe · combustion
Regulated overhead flight zone
- flightAerial journey by aircraft
- aircraftAirborne transportation vehicle
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
- altimeterInstrument measuring elevation
airspeed · air traffic control · visibility · wind shear · glidepath · takeoff · landing · ceiling
Emissions that trap heat
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
- albedoSurface reflection coefficient
feedback loops · anthropogenic · climate change · nitrous oxide · water vapor · thermal radiation
Light-to-sugar conversion in plants
- respirationGas exchange in organisms
- gas exchangeTransfer of respiratory molecules
- pollenFloral reproductive grains
- sporesAsexual reproductive bodies
troposphere
Lowest atmospheric layer
- stratosphereSecond atmospheric layer up
- boundary layerViscous region near walls
- air columnVertical atmospheric mass
barometric pressure · altitude · elevation · density · ceiling · visibility
forecast
Prediction of future conditions
- humidityMoisture in atmosphere
- barometerInstrument gauging atmospheric pressure
- precipitationAtmospheric water deposit
temperature · drizzle · rainfall · snowfall · thunderstorm · cyclone · breeze · gale · squall · overcast
smog
Sunlight-activated urban pollution
- particulatesMinute airborne solids or droplets
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- sootCarbon from incomplete burning
haze · exhaust · air quality · carbon monoxide · sulfur dioxide · nitrogen oxides · industrial emissions · tailpipe · combustion · inhalation
airspace
Regulated overhead flight zone
- flightAerial journey by aircraft
- aircraftAirborne transportation vehicle
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
altimeter · airspeed · air traffic control · visibility · wind shear · glidepath · takeoff · landing · ceiling · aerodynamics
greenhouse gases
Emissions that trap heat
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
albedo · feedback loops · anthropogenic · climate change · nitrous oxide · water vapor · thermal radiation
photosynthesis
Light-to-sugar conversion in plants
- respirationGas exchange in organisms
- gas exchangeTransfer of respiratory molecules
- pollenFloral reproductive grains
- atmosphereair, humidity, temperature, oxygen, ozone layer
- Space Zonesouter space, deep space, exosphere, thermosphere, mesosphere
lower atmosphereupper atmosphere
Air layer farthest up
stratosphere · mesosphere · thermosphere · exosphere · ionosphere
lower, atmosphere, lows, lowered, lowering, lowers, lowest, lowness, atmospheric