During a temperature inversion, which layer has warmer air?

During a temperature inversion, the unique characteristic is that the air temperature increases with altitude rather than decreasing, which is the norm in the atmosphere. In this phenomenon, warm air is trapped above cooler air at a lower altitude, effectively creating a stable layer of warm air that can lead to various atmospheric effects.

The correct answer points to the upper layer above the inversion as having warmer air. This is contrasted with the air at ground level and within the lower layer, where the temperature is cooler due to being in contact with the ground that cools off at night or during certain weather conditions. The middle altitudes also do not typically exhibit the warm air characteristics described, as they tend to reflect the standard lapse rate unless affected by specific weather phenomena.

Understanding temperature inversions is crucial for pilots and dispatchers, as they can influence flight behavior, air quality, and weather patterns, emphasizing the significance of recognizing warmer air layers aloft.