Insolation & Temperature
Inversions
- reverse of normal lapse rate
It's warmer the higher you go in elevation
traps air to create smoggy, foggy and colder condition
large scale and localized phenomenon
large-scale sinking air
- associated with high pressure systems
compression adds to heating of upper air
Mexico City
advectional cooling
- occurs when
cool air sweeps beneath warmer air
, forcing it up
Los Angeles Basin
surface inversions
-
associated with cold winter nights
radiational cooling -
land cools rapidly
cold-air-drain displaces warmer air aloft
fog arises
Sacramento Valley
Physical Index