What does "tropopause" refer to?

The term "tropopause" specifically refers to the boundary layer between the troposphere and the stratosphere. In the atmosphere, the troposphere is the lowest layer where weather phenomena such as clouds, rain, and storms occur, typically extending from the Earth's surface up to about 8 to 15 kilometers in altitude, depending on geographical location and weather conditions. Above this layer lies the stratosphere, which is characterized by a temperature inversion and contains the ozone layer.

The tropopause acts as a transitional zone where the temperature begins to increase with altitude, in contrast to the tropospheric temperature profile, where it generally decreases with height. This boundary is also significant in meteorology because it influences the vertical movement of air and the development of weather systems. Understanding the characteristics of the tropopause is crucial for weather prediction and understanding atmospheric dynamics.