What occurs during a temperature inversion?

During a temperature inversion, the temperature of the air rises with altitude, which is the defining characteristic of this phenomenon. In a typical atmosphere, air temperature decreases with height due to the decrease in pressure and density as altitude increases. However, during a temperature inversion, a layer of warmer air traps cooler air below it, preventing it from rising. This can create stable atmospheric conditions and can lead to the accumulation of pollutants, fog, or clouds in the cooler air layer.

The fact that temperature increases with altitude during an inversion is significant because it can influence weather conditions, air quality, and flight operations, especially for unmanned aircraft systems. Understanding this phenomenon is essential for pilots, as it affects visibility and flight safety.

Other options don't accurately reflect what occurs during a temperature inversion. For instance, it is not true that heat is evenly distributed; in fact, the inversion creates a non-uniform temperature profile. Similarly, while humidity can vary with altitude, it is not a defining aspect of a temperature inversion. The focus of the inversion is specifically on the temperature profile regarding altitude changes.