How high up does the wind blow?

Our changeable weather swirls through the troposphere, the dense layer of atmosphere hugging close to the surface of the globe. At the equator the troposphere reaches up about 11 miles. It gradually slims down towards the poles where it reaches only about five miles high. The winds blow in all directions in this weathery layer of air.

In some places the air rises and turns to blow in another direction. Above the surface trade winds there are counter trade winds streaming in the opposite direction. The amazing jet streams whistle along in windy tunnels near the top of the troposphere, But above this airy region, all is calm, for the stratosphere which begins five to 11 miles up is windless and weatherless.