What is the characteristic temperature range of the stratosphere at about 30 miles elevation?

The characteristic temperature range of the stratosphere at an elevation of about 30 miles, or approximately 48 kilometers, is indeed between -76°F and about -40°F.

At this altitude, the stratosphere is known for its temperature behavior, where instead of decreasing with height as in the troposphere, the temperature generally remains stable or actually increases in the upper levels. However, in the lower sections of the stratosphere, temperatures can reach very low values. The given temperature range aligns with the data collected from atmospheric observations and airborne instruments which indicate that temperatures can drop to around -76°F and may warm up to about -40°F at this elevation.

This range helps to understand the unique conditions of the stratosphere, such as the presence of the ozone layer, which begins to absorb ultraviolet radiation and contributes to temperature stabilization and increases in the upper regions. The other choices do not accurately reflect the typical temperature profiles observed in the stratosphere at that specific elevation.