I am trying to convert an integer into two separate bytes and then recombine it (for efficient sending data via Lora). I can do it for positive long variables and integers, but not negative integers.  I did read that the integer must be “signed” so I did it and still not luck. I am measuring temperature which could be positive or negative number.

Help please

signed int temperature = -157;
byte partTemp[2];
void setup()
{

Serial.begin(115200);
partTemp[0] = temperature >> 8;
partTemp[1] = temperature;
signed int pT1 = (signed int)partTemp[0]<<8;
signed int pT0 = (signed int)partTemp[1];
igned int combinedpT = pT1 | pT0;
Serial.println("Array method integer temperature -157"); 
Serial.println(combinedpT, HEX); //
Serial.println(combinedpT); //
}
void loop()
{

}