In what part of the atmosphere does most weather occur?

Most weather phenomena, including clouds, precipitation, and storms, occur in the troposphere. This is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending roughly from the surface up to about 8 to 15 kilometers (5 to 9 miles) high, depending on geographical location and weather conditions.

In the troposphere, temperature generally decreases with altitude, which contributes to the formation of weather systems. The presence of moisture and varying air masses in this layer facilitates the development of weather patterns. As air rises, it cools and can lead to condensation and cloud formation, key components of weather. Additionally, the troposphere contains the majority of the atmosphere's mass, which is crucial for the diverse weather events we experience.

In contrast, the stratosphere, located above the troposphere, is characterized by temperature increases with altitude and is mostly stable, with little weather activity occurring. The mesosphere and exosphere are even higher and increasingly sparse in terms of air density, resulting in minimal, if any, significant weather events.