How does temperature and pressure lapse rates typically affect the altitude of the tropopause?

The altitude of the tropopause is significantly influenced by temperature and pressure conditions in the atmosphere. Over the equator, warmer temperatures lead to higher altitudes of the tropopause because warm air is less dense and rises more readily than cooler air. As the temperature increases, the stability of the atmosphere lessens, which allows the tropopause to extend higher into the atmosphere. This is primarily due to the intense solar heating near the equator, which creates a thick layer of warm air.

Moreover, the tropics experience a larger temperature gradient than polar regions, causing the tropopause to be higher in latitude where temperatures are warmer. In this context, warmer temperatures at sea level can elevate the tropopause due to the expansion of air as it warms.

While pressure lapse rates do influence atmospheric behavior, the specific elevation of the tropopause is more directly affected by temperature variations, particularly in tropical regions. Thus, the connection between higher temperatures and elevated tropopause in equatorial regions is well established in meteorological science.