How much does the temperature change for every 1000 ft increase in altitude?

The correct answer is that the temperature changes approximately 2 degrees Celsius for every 1000 feet increase in altitude in the troposphere, which is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere where most weather events occur. This is a standard rule of thumb in meteorology known as the environmental lapse rate.

In the troposphere, as altitude increases, the atmospheric pressure decreases, leading to a decrease in temperature. This lapse rate illustrates how temperature typically declines with elevation: for every rise of 1000 feet, the air temperature drops by about 2 degrees Celsius. This principle holds true under normal atmospheric conditions and is crucial for various fields, including aviation, hiking, and weather forecasting.

Other temperature change rates, such as 1 degree Celsius or 3 degrees Celsius per 1000 feet, do not accurately represent the average value observed in the troposphere. Understanding the lapse rate is essential for making accurate predictions about how weather conditions might vary with altitude.