temperature inversion
Warm air above
A temperature inversion is an atmospheric condition where a layer of warm air sits above cooler air near the ground, reversing the normal pattern.
This traps pollutants, fog, and smog close to the surface, since the warm layer acts as a lid preventing vertical air movement.
Temperature inversions are common in valleys and coastal areas, and can cause prolonged episodes of poor air quality: The smog lingered for days due to a temperature inversion.
Lowest atmospheric layer
- stratosphereSecond atmospheric layer up
- atmospheric layersDistinct altitude zones surrounding Earth
- subsidenceGradual ground sinking
- soundingDepth measurement technique
radiosonde · anticyclone · barometric pressure · thermocline
Mist settling in lowlands
- ground fogMist at surface level
- morning fogLow cloud at dawn
- condensationVapor turning to liquid
- dew pointCondensation begins here
Sunlight-activated urban pollution
- hazeMurky atmospheric suspension
- particulatesMinute airborne solids or droplets
- ozoneTriatomic oxygen allotrope
- visibilityRange of clear sight
stagnant air · emissions · exhaust · industrial · urban · respiratory · asthma · health hazard
Low area trapping cold air
- orchardFruit tree plantation
- vineyardGrape-growing estate
- wind machinesPowered air-current generators
- microclimateLocalized atmospheric zone
troposphere
Lowest atmospheric layer
- stratosphereSecond atmospheric layer up
- atmospheric layersDistinct altitude zones surrounding Earth
- subsidenceGradual ground sinking
sounding · radiosonde · anticyclone · barometric pressure · thermocline
valley fog
Mist settling in lowlands
- ground fogMist at surface level
- morning fogLow cloud at dawn
- condensationVapor turning to liquid
smog
Sunlight-activated urban pollution
- hazeMurky atmospheric suspension
- particulatesMinute airborne solids or droplets
- ozoneTriatomic oxygen allotrope
visibility · stagnant air · emissions · exhaust · industrial · urban · respiratory · asthma · health hazard · sulfur dioxide
frost pocket
Low area trapping cold air
- orchardFruit tree plantation
- vineyardGrape-growing estate
- wind machinesPowered air-current generators
- weather phenomenatornado, wind, hurricane, gust, blizzard
- temperature changesheat waves, cold snaps, freeze-thaw, warming, cooling
- Antarctic climatepolar climate, ice sheets, sea ice, blizzards, ice cap
- Mountain Climatehigh altitude, thin air, altitude, snowfall, harsh winds
- inversionsflip, handstand, upside down, upside-down, overturn
- microclimatesfrost pocket, rain shadow, urban heat island, sun trap, lake effect
temperature, temperatures, inversion, inversions, temper, tempered, tempering, temperate, intemperate