What does it mean when pressure altitude is described as corrected for temperature?

When pressure altitude is described as corrected for temperature, it means that the measurement has been adjusted to reflect variations from the standard atmosphere. In aviation, pressure altitude is determined based on the standard atmospheric pressure at sea level, which is typically 29.92 inches of mercury (inHg) or 1013.25 hPa. However, actual atmospheric conditions often differ from this standard due to temperature variations.

When temperature is accounted for, corrections are applied to pressure altitude so that it more accurately represents the true altitude the aircraft is flying at, considering whether the air is warmer or cooler than the standard atmosphere. Warmer air is less dense than standard conditions, which affects lift and performance. Thus, correcting for temperature ensures pilots have a more precise understanding of altitude relative to their aircraft's performance and safety.

The other choices do not accurately represent what it means to correct pressure altitude for temperature. Adjustments based on the aircraft's weight relate more to performance calculations rather than altitude. Altitude above sea level is not concerned with temperature correction specifically, and physical height above ground also does not pertain to the correction of pressure altitude in relation to temperature effects.