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Tropopause
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Description
The tropopause is the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere.
The tropopause occurs at approximately 20,000 feet over the poles and at approximately 60,000 feet above the equator. The International Standard Atmosphere assumes that the average height of the tropopause occurs at 36,000 feet.
The location of the tropopause is of interest to air crews because it indicates the altitude at which temperature becomes constant with increasing altitude, which is an import factor in performance and fuel calculations. It also gives an indication of the location of jet streams and the high winds and turbulence associated with them. However, deep tropical convective systems can break through the tropopause, especially over land.
Jet Streams
Jet Streams, associated with frontal weather, where two different air masses meet, occur at or below the tropopause. Jetstreams are covered by a separate article.