The world's tallest thunderstorms are often found near the equator, in a belt of low pressure called the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). These flaming storms in the tropical East Pacific are literally punching above their height. Here you can see the intense convection sending moisture into Earth's upper troposphere, more than 10 miles high. The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere and is where almost all weather and clouds occur. Its height varies by latitude and season.