Temperature Inversions

Large-scale temperature inversions occur in the lower atmosphere when warm air overlies cooler air. These widespread inversions are caused by a variety of factors. The four primary types of inversions are the marine inversions, regional subsidence inversions, high-pressure inversions, and radiation inversions. Marine inversions occur near the coast, mainly near the western side of continents where marine air is blown inland by prevailing winds. The ocean is cool compared to the land therefore the air …

…that inversions generally occur at night once the land cools down and convection of the air ceases. These inversion are also more likely to occur on clear days when there are no clouds to trap heat near the surface of the earth. Another effect of temperature inversions on the atmosphere is pollution. At night, pollution is trapped near the earth because of the overlying warm air. Once day arrives convection restarts and the pollution dissipates.