inversion layer

American

noun

a layer of the atmosphere in which there is a temperature inversion, with the layer tending to prevent the air below it from rising, thus trapping any pollutants that are present.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This pushed air downwards, creating an inversion layer that trapped the smog close to the ground.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2023

Increased winds Tuesday pushed out a smoke inversion layer that had been stifling the blaze and gave fresh oxygen to the flames, McLean said.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 14, 2022

An inversion layer on Monday trapped smoke over much of the fire, and the shade helped lower temperatures and keep humidity up, incident meteorologist Julia Ruthford said.

From Fox News • Jul. 27, 2021

A morning inversion layer will trap smoke, but will lift by midday.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2018

This layer of warm, moist air is known as an inversion layer, and it can do all kinds of crazy things to a radar wave.

From The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects by Ruppelt, Edward J.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023