Temperature measurements using vibrational Raman scattering from molecular nitrogen were performed simultaneously with temperature obtained by Rayleigh scattering in the amplitude range between 12 and 30 km. The downward extension of the Rayleigh temperature described in this paper leads to the possibility of obtaining a continuous temperature profile from 12 to nearly 100 km. The temperature profiles have been obtained using an instrument made up basically as a Rayleigh lidar with an extra channel. The measurements are in close agreement with the CIRA model and simultaneous balloon sounding.