MLchartDataset catalogue

Surface inversion

Term · Meteorology and atmospheric science · MLC-T-MET-009438

An atmospheric condition where temperature increases with height immediately above the Earth's surface, rather than decreasing as is typical. This stable layer often forms on clear, calm nights due to radiative cooling of the ground. Surface inversions trap pollutants near the ground and can lead to fog formation, dissipating as the sun warms the surface.

Table 1. Record
IdentifierMLC-T-MET-009438
FieldMeteorology and atmospheric science
Synonymsground inversion
Record as JSON
{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-009438",
  "term": "Surface inversion",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definition": "An atmospheric condition where temperature increases with height immediately above the Earth's surface, rather than decreasing as is typical. This stable layer often forms on clear, calm nights due to radiative cooling of the ground. Surface inversions trap pollutants near the ground and can lead to fog formation, dissipating as the sun warms the surface.",
  "synonyms": [
    "ground inversion"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/surface-inversion/"
}

Record 9,411 of 10,816 in Meteorology and atmospheric science terminology (MLC-0110). Request the full dataset.