Which weather condition is indicated by a temperature inversion?

A temperature inversion occurs when the temperature of the atmosphere increases with altitude, contrary to the typical decrease in temperature with height. Under normal conditions, the air near the surface is warmer than the air above it. However, during an inversion, a layer of warmer air traps cooler air at the surface.

This condition can lead to the formation of fog, particularly when the surface air cools enough to reach its dew point, causing condensation. Since the cooler air is trapped beneath the inversion layer, it often leads to high humidity near the surface, which is conducive to foggy conditions. Thus, fog is frequently associated with temperature inversions.

In contrast, other weather conditions such as blizzards, rain, or thunderstorms rely on different atmospheric dynamics. Blizzards often require specific conditions of sustained winds and significant snowfall; rain typically results from rising, cooling air creating condensation; and thunderstorms are associated with severe convective activity often bypassing stable layers that a temperature inversion provides.