Temperature inversions often occur at night, as the ground surface radiatively cools and in turn cools the layer of air immediately above it.

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Temperature inversions occur when a layer of warm air traps cooler air beneath it. This often happens at night when the ground surface cools rapidly through radiative cooling, and the cooler air near the surface becomes denser and sinks, while warmer air above it rises. This creates a stable layer of warm air aloft and cooler air near the surface, resulting in a temperature inversion.

Temperature Inversions Often Occur at Night, as the Ground Surface