Inversion (meteorology)

<p>In <a href="/facts/Meteorology/xblFr28q">meteorology</a>, an inversion (or temperature inversion) is a phenomenon in which a layer of warmer air overlies cooler air. Normally, <a href="/facts/Atmospheric_temperature/8wHTK3vE">air temperature</a> gradually decreases as <a href="/facts/Altitude/B5eNVurK">altitude</a> increases, but this relationship is reversed in an inversion.
</p><p>An inversion traps <a href="/facts/Air_pollution/zmk9Dy7S">air pollution</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Smog/5FYzS8sT">smog</a>, near the ground. An inversion can also suppress <a href="/facts/Atmospheric_convection/WGNzCHX5">convection</a> by acting as a "cap". If this cap is broken for any of several reasons, convection of any <a href="/facts/Humidity/Nwb28VlT">humidity</a> can then erupt into violent <a href="/facts/Thunderstorm/F6hUzuAu">thunderstorms</a>. Temperature inversion can cause <a href="/facts/Freezing_rain/WERxw5HB">freezing rain</a> in <a href="/facts/Polar_climate/7UWhUQtR">cold climates</a>.
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Inversion (meteorology) open-in-new

Inversion (meteorology)