What happens to temperature in the stratosphere as altitude increases?

In the stratosphere, as altitude increases, temperature actually increases, which is a key characteristic of this atmospheric layer. This temperature increase occurs due to the absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun by the ozone layer, which is located in the stratosphere. As UV radiation is absorbed, it warms the surrounding air, leading to a temperature rise with altitude.

The phenomenon contrasts sharply with the troposphere, where temperature decreases with an increase in altitude. In the stratosphere, the stability created by the temperature inversion, where warmer air sits above cooler air, contributes to reduced vertical mixing and allows for a more stable atmospheric environment.

Understanding this temperature profile is essential in meteorology and aviation since it affects weather patterns and aircraft operations. The increase in temperature in the stratosphere is why this atmospheric layer is often characterized as stable, as opposed to becoming unstable or constant.