Inversion (meteorology)

Deviation from the normal change of an atmospheric property with altitude

Inversion (meteorology)

Summary

In meteorology, an inversion is a phenomenon in which a layer of warmer air overlies cooler air. Normally, air temperature gradually decreases as altitude increases, but this relationship is reversed in an inversion.

Originally created by 217.216.59.165

5/16/2002, 4:30:19 AM

Modified

5/19/2026, 9:17:12 AM

Recent revisions

Citation bot5/19/2026, 9:17:12 AM

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OAbot4/13/2026, 5:38:34 AM

[[Wikipedia:OABOT|Open access bot]]: url-access=subscription updated in citation with #oabot.

OhanaUnited3/30/2026, 6:34:23 PM

/* Atmospheric consequences */ formatting ref

Yizhouchen13/29/2026, 3:30:36 PM

This further explains how temperature inversions, by inhibiting vertical mixing between the near-surface and overlying air, make it easier for pollutants to accumulate near the surface.

LindsayH3/14/2026, 10:14:25 AM

CS1 error/maintenance, replaced: |website=https:// → |website=

Astonmartini2/23/2026, 11:10:12 PM

Edit caption

Akbettyplatt1/28/2026, 7:48:59 AM

Edits to image from Fairbanks; clarifying its significance in the article

Akbettyplatt1/28/2026, 7:26:59 AM

Added a brief mention of Fairbanks, Alaska, which experiences notable inversions frequently throughout the winter, especially this past December/early January.

Not-cheesewhisk3rs10/30/2025, 6:32:08 PM

Fix reference spacing per [[MOS:REFPUNCT]]

Vycl19948/3/2025, 5:58:02 AM
OAbot5/25/2025, 8:59:18 AM

[[Wikipedia:OABOT|Open access bot]]: url-access updated in citation with #oabot.

WikiCleanerBot2/19/2025, 1:12:23 AM

v2.05b - [[User:WikiCleanerBot#T5|Bot T5 CW#2]] - Fix errors for [[WP:WCW|CW project]] (Tag with incorrect syntax)

NSEasternShoreChemist2/12/2025, 2:09:02 PM

/* Atmospheric consequences */ ice pellets and freezing rain.

Kvng1/4/2025, 4:58:23 PM

issue [[Talk:Inversion_(meteorology)#intro_not_at_level_of_encylopedia]] appears to have been addressed

Cmglee12/7/2024, 3:11:10 AM

/* Wave propagation */ Fix huge whitespace

Cmglee12/7/2024, 3:09:14 AM

/* Wave propagation */ Add comparison of mirages

Kvng9/13/2024, 5:42:34 PM

bad disambig

Qwfp9/8/2024, 4:34:54 AM

/* Description */ Added link

Twinsday7/31/2024, 6:41:17 PM

add links, cite template

Twinsday7/31/2024, 6:29:12 PM

add links, fix dead link, reword, cleanup

Contributors

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