What characterizes the temperature profile of the stratosphere?

The temperature profile of the stratosphere is characterized by relatively small changes in temperature with an increase in altitude due to the presence of the ozone layer. As altitude increases in the stratosphere, temperatures actually rise rather than fall, primarily because the ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. This absorption causes temperatures to increase, which is distinctly different from the troposphere, where temperature typically decreases with altitude.

The stratosphere starts at the tropopause, which generally occurs around 30,000 to 40,000 feet, and extends up to about 50,000 feet where the stratopause is located. Within this layer, although there's a general trend of rising temperatures, the actual temperature changes are less pronounced compared to the troposphere, leading to the characterization of relatively small changes in temperature with an increase in altitude.

Understanding this temperature structure is vital for pilots, particularly when it comes to aircraft performance and weather considerations during flight planning, as well as for interpreting meteorological data.