Temperature Inversion

Temperature inversion is an increase in temperature with altitude. Normally, the lower air near the surface is warmer than the air aloft. Of course, when temperature inversions occur this can cause serious damage to the earth's atmosphere. In some cases a smog can be trapped close to the surface of the earth causing air pollution. Several days of smog can cause serious damage to one's health.

In Donora, PA October of 1948 there was an inversion for four days, polluting the air with smog from nearby factories, resulting in 20 deaths and over 1\3 the population was sickened. Sixty years later, the New York Times considered it "One of the worst air pollution disaster in the nation's history".

Also another effect of temperature inversion can develop suppressed convection by acting as a "cap" which is a stable layer of the atmosphere that inhibits the development of convection. When the "cap" is broken for any reason a violent thunderstorms occurs and (or) freezing rain develops in typically colder climates.






Sources:

http://www.wikipedia.com/

http://www.awma.org/about/100years/pollresults2.html


http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/2005/05_07_28.html