What is Temperature Inversion? 🌡️🔄
- Temperature inversion is a condition where temperature increases with altitude instead of decreasing in the troposphere.
- Normally, the air near the surface is warmer, but during inversion, cold air is trapped below warm air, affecting weather and pollution levels.
Causes of Temperature Inversion
✅ Clear Skies & Calm Nights – Heat escapes quickly, cooling the surface.
✅ Radiation Cooling – The ground loses heat quickly after sunset.
✅ Cold Air Drainage – Heavy, cold air moves down valleys.
✅ Subsidence (Sinking Air) – Air sinks and compresses in high-pressure areas.
Types of Temperature Inversion
1. Radiation Inversion (Surface Inversion) 🌃❄️
- Occurs during clear, calm nights when the ground cools quickly.
- Common in winters & valleys.
- Effects: Fog formation, frost, cold waves.
- Example: Northern India’s foggy winter mornings.
2. Advection Inversion 🌊💨
- Occurs when warm air moves over a cold surface (sea or land).
- Common in coastal areas where ocean currents affect temperature.
- Effects: Fog, mist, low visibility.
- Example: West Coast of USA, coastal Japan.
3. Frontal Inversion (Cyclonic Inversion) 🌪️
- Occurs when warm air mass rises over cold air during a front formation.
- Common in mid-latitude cyclones.
- Effects: Cloudy weather, light rain.
4. Subsidence Inversion 📉☁️
- Occurs in high-pressure areas where air sinks, compresses, and warms up.
- Common in deserts and stable weather conditions.
- Effects: Dry air, clear skies.
- Example: Sahara Desert, Thar Desert.
Effects of Temperature Inversion
| Effect | Impact |
|---|---|
| Fog & Smog Formation | Traps pollutants near the surface, causing health issues |
| Air Pollution Trapping | Causes respiratory problems in cities |
| Cold Wave Conditions | Leads to frost, crop damage, and transport disruptions |
| Stable Weather Conditions | No cloud formation, clear skies |
Examples of Temperature Inversion in India
✅ Winter fog in North India – Delhi, Punjab, and UP experience dense fog and pollution trapping.
✅ Smog in Mumbai & Kolkata – Traps vehicle and industrial emissions.
✅ Valley Inversions in Kashmir & Himachal Pradesh – Cold air gets trapped in valleys.
MCQs on Temperature Inversion
1. What is temperature inversion?
a) Temperature decreases with height
b) Temperature increases with height
c) Temperature remains constant
d) Temperature fluctuates randomly
Answer: b) Temperature increases with height
2. Which type of inversion is common in valleys during winter?
a) Advection Inversion
b) Radiation Inversion
c) Frontal Inversion
d) Subsidence Inversion
Answer: b) Radiation Inversion
3. Which inversion occurs in high-pressure areas?
a) Frontal Inversion
b) Advection Inversion
c) Subsidence Inversion
d) Radiation Inversion
Answer: c) Subsidence Inversion
4. What is the main effect of temperature inversion in cities?
a) Heavy rainfall
b) Increased air pollution
c) Faster wind speeds
d) Snowfall
Answer: b) Increased air pollution
5. Which of the following helps break a temperature inversion?
a) Calm winds
b) Sunrise and heating of the surface
c) Clear skies
d) Cold air moving down valleys
Answer: b) Sunrise and heating of the surface
Short Answer Questions
1. What is temperature inversion?
Temperature inversion is a condition where air temperature increases with altitude, trapping cold air near the surface.
2. Name two types of temperature inversion.
- Radiation Inversion – Occurs on cold, clear nights.
- Advection Inversion – Occurs when warm air moves over a cold surface.
3. What are the effects of temperature inversion?
- Fog & smog formation
- Air pollution trapping
- Cold wave conditions
- Stable weather patterns
4. Where is temperature inversion common in India?
- North India during winter (fog, pollution).
- Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh (cold valleys).
5. How can temperature inversion be broken?
- Sunrise warms the surface.
- Strong winds mix the air.
Conclusion
Temperature inversion affects weather, pollution, and agriculture. It is a key concept in climatology and competitive exams.
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