What feature is associated with a temperature inversion?

• A. A stable layer of air
• B. Deep convection
• C. Strong turbulence
• D. High wind shear

Answer: (A)

A temperature inversion creates a stable layer of air. When temperature actually increases with height, the air becomes more resistant to vertical motion, so rising air parcels slow, stop, and spread out at the inversion level. This suppresses convection and keeps the lower atmosphere calm and well stratified, which is why a stable layer of air is the defining feature. Deep convection requires unstable conditions where warm air keeps rising, so it’s not associated with an inversion. Likewise, strong turbulence and high wind shear aren’t inherent to an inversion, though they can occur for other reasons.