Temperature Inversions
An upside-down situation
The ‘Normal’ Situation
105’ 38°F
105’ 38°F
64’ 40°F
64’ 40°F
32’ 40°F
32’ 40°F
16’ 41°F
8’ 41°F
16’ 41°F
8’ 41°F
Temperature Inversions
• These are when the
‘normal’ situations are
reversed ie when
warmer air overlies
colder air.
• This can be at low
level
Temperature Inversions
• These are when the
‘normal’ situations are
reversed ie when
warmer air overlies
colder air.
• This can be at low
level or at high level
Temperature Inversions
• There is a natural
inversion in our
atmosphere as the
stratosphere is the
layer that absorbs
most of the ultraviolet
radiation (high level)
Temperature Inversions
• High level inversions are also found in depressions,
when the warm sector overlies the cold sector
(occlusion)
Temperature Inversions
• Low level or ground
inversions occur in
anticyclonic conditions
when there is a rapid
loss of energy at night.
• The air near the surface
is cooled by conduction
of heat to the cold
ground. The lower layer
is therefore colder than
the air above it.
Temperature Inversions
• Low level or ground
inversions occur in
anticyclonic conditions
when there is a rapid
loss of energy at night.
• The air near the surface
is cooled by conduction
of heat to the cold
ground. The lower layer
is therefore colder than
the air above it.
Temperature Inversions
• A classic inversion is where the hot emissions
given off by industrial chimneys trap in the colder
air below
Signs of a surface
inversion in the
early morning
Lack of heavy cloud cover
Windless or light
variable wind
Ground Fog
Frost (or dew)
Smoke from a chimney forming a layer
Surface inversion - early morning