Question

What is the inversion of temperature?

Answer 1

Inversion of temperature is a phenomenon where the normal temperature pattern is reversed, meaning instead of decreasing with altitude, the temperature actually increases as you go higher. This often happens in valleys on calm, clear nights when the earth’s surface loses heat rapidly through radiation, cooling the air near the ground while the air at higher elevations remains warmer. As a result, the valley bottoms become colder than the slopes, creating a temperature inversion. This can lead to frost in valleys while higher slopes stay warmer. Inversion of temperature is common in mid-latitude mountainous regions during winter nights.