What happens in the troposphere?

According to the University of California in Santa Barbara, all weather occurs in the troposphere. It is the lowest level of the Earth’s atmosphere, and it is bonded on the top by a layer of air called the tropopause.

The troposphere also contains 99 percent of the water vapor within the Earth’s atmosphere. The greatest concentrations of water lie above the tropics, and the least amount can be found towards the polar regions. One common occurrence in the troposphere near heavily populated areas is smog, which can limit visibility and can cause throat and eye irritation. The troposphere is located approximately 5 to 7 miles above the north and south pole.