The thermal structure of the upper atmosphere of Venus predicted by a groundto- thermosphere 3D model for Venus is presented. The model includes the main processes contributing to the thermal balance of the atmosphere of Venus from 90 to 150 km, as well as a photochemical model and a non-orographic gravity waves parameterisation.

A succession of warm and cold layers is predicted: the role of radiative, photochemical and dynamical effects is described.

A comparison of model results with a selection of recent measurements shows an overall good agreement in terms of trends and order of magnitude.

Significant data-model discrepancies are also discerned and discussed. Among them, altitude layer of the predicted mesospheric local maximum (between 100–120 km) is higher then observed; thermosphere temperatures are about 40–50 K colder and up to 30 K warmer then measured at terminator and nighttime, respectively.