temperature inversion

American  

noun

Meteorology.

1. inversion.

---

temperature inversion British  

noun

1. meteorol an abnormal increase in temperature with height in the troposphere

---

Etymology

Origin of temperature inversion

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

"This temperature inversion is really puzzling," said Ben Burningham, a co-author from the University of Hertfordshire in England and lead modeler on the work.

From Science Daily • Jan. 9, 2024

The resulting temperature inversion caused low-level clouds to form between the radar and the warship.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 21, 2023

This indicated to Anderson that there could be a temperature inversion, in which “heavy air density and cloud coverage could prohibit smoke from the burn from traveling upward,” he said.

From Slate • Mar. 7, 2023

A temperature inversion likely spread the smell, city officials said.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 14, 2022

Coming from the west, the Pacific trade winds hit the cold air from the Humboldt Current and are forced upward in a classic temperature inversion of the sort common in southern California.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann