How does a temperature inversion affect visibility at an airport?

A temperature inversion occurs when the normal temperature gradient of the atmosphere is reversed, causing warmer air to sit above cooler air at the surface. This phenomenon significantly affects visibility, particularly at airports.

During a temperature inversion, the cooler air near the surface can become saturated with moisture, leading to the formation of haze, fog, or smog. The warmer air above essentially acts as a lid or cap, preventing the vertical mixing of air. This trapping effect allows contaminants, moisture, and particulate matter to accumulate in the lower layer, which can severely reduce visibility. Therefore, the correct understanding of how a temperature inversion impacts visibility aligns with the idea that it creates a capping effect, which leads to the accumulation of pollutants and moisture in the air.

While stability in the air can contribute to certain weather phenomena, in this case, it specifically leads to worse visibility rather than improved conditions.