Final answer:
A strong temperature inversion can prevent the formation of radiation fog as well as delay its dissipation by acting like a cap, trapping the cool, moist air and preventing it from mixing with the warmer air above.
Step-by-step explanation:
The weather condition that may prevent the formation of radiation fog and also delay its dissipation is a strong inversion layer with calm winds. Radiation fog typically forms on clear, calm nights when the ground loses heat through thermal radiation, cooling the air close to the surface to the dew point and causing water vapor to condense into fog. However, if there's a strong temperature inversion—where the air temperature increases with altitude—this can prevent the cooler, moist air from rising and mixing, which in turn prevents fog from forming. The same inversion layer that prevents the formation of fog can also act as a cap, trapping the fog underneath it and delaying its dissipation. This layer acts like a lid, preventing the warm air above from mixing with the cooler air below where the fog is, which would aid in the fog's dissipation.