CPL Meteorology · Practice

An aircraft cruising at FL380 notices that the OAT has risen from −56°C (standard ISA at FL360) to −52°C as it climbed through FL370–FL380, despite continuing to climb. What does this anomalous temperature increase with altitude indicate, and what are the operational implications?

• A.The aircraft has entered the tropopause transition zone
• B.The rising temperature with altitude above FL370 indicates the tropopause has been crossed
• C.The temperature increase indicates a jet stream core directly overhead
• D.A temperature inversion is present due to a stratospheric warming event