Atmospheric Layers

This is a list of the atmospheric layers. At each of these layers, there is some form of wind speed, wind direction, humidity level, or temperature that plays a roll in what the weather will do. These layers are always seen in soundings, and you can refer to this page to describe what each layer's roll is.

Height: 38,662ft

Height: 33,999ft

Height: 30,065ft

Height: 18,289ft

Height: 9,882ft

Height: 4,781ft

The 850mb layer is in the mid levels, and is the first barrier to snowfall occurring. This layer, if warm, will melt all small frozen precipitation, if above freezing. If it continues to warm up all the way to the surface, the precipitation will most definitely be rain. If it is below freezing at the next layer, 925mb, it will be sleet at the surface, unless your elevation is higher than 925mb, then it will be rain. If it is below freezing at the surface only though, the precipitation will be freezing rain.

Height: 2,498ft

This is the surface layer for upper elevations, mainly in the mountains, and the lower layer for lower areas, and is the second barrier to snowfall. This layer is the deciding factor in what precipitation will be occurring. If the temperature in this layer is below freezing, and is below freezing through 850mb and above, and below 40F at the surface, then the precipitation will likely be snow. If the surface is warmer, than it will vary on humidity and precipitation rates. If this layer is above freezing, then the precipitation at the surface could be freezing rain, if it is freezing at the surface, or rain if it isn't.

Height: 364ft

This is the surface to very low level layer for those living at or below this level to sea level.

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