7.11: Temperature Inversions

Question 1

What feature is associated with a temperature inversion?

A. A stable layer of air.
B. An unstable layer of air.
C. Chinook winds on mountain slopes.

Answer 1

A stable layer of air.

Question 2

The most frequent type of ground or surface-based temperature inversion is that which is produced by

A. terrestrial radiation on a clear, relatively still night.
B. warm air being lifted rapidly aloft in the vicinity of mountainous terrain.
C. the movement of colder air under warm air, or the movement of warm air over cold air.

Answer 2

terrestrial radiation on a clear, relatively still night.

Question 3

When there is a temperature inversion, you would expect to experience

A. clouds with extensive vertical development above an inversion aloft.
B. good visibility in the lower levels of the atmosphere and poor visibility above an inversion aloft.
C. an increase in temperature as altitude increases.

Answer 3

an increase in temperature as latitude increases.

Question 4

Which weather conditions should be expected beneath a low-level temperature inversion layer when the relative humidity is high?

A. Smooth air, poor visibility, fog, haze, or low clouds.
B. Light wind shear, poor visibility, haze, and light rain.
C. Turbulent air, poor visibility, fog, low stratus type clouds, and showery precipitation.

Answer 4

Smooth air, poor visibility, fog, haze, or low clouds.

Question 5

An increase in temperature with an altitude increase

A. is indication of an inversion.
B. denotes the beginning of the stratosphere.
C. means a cold front passage.

Answer 5

is indication of an inversion.

Question 6

Temperature and radiation variations over land with a clear sky typically lead to

A. minimum temperature occurring after sunrise.
B. outgoing terrestrial radiation peaking at noon.
C. temperature reaching a maximum closer to noon than to sunset.

Answer 6

minimum temperature occurring after sunrise.