Final answer:
An increase in temperature with an altitude increase is called a temperature inversion. Normally, the temperature decreases as altitude increases in the atmosphere. However, during a temperature inversion, warmer air is held above cooler air, causing the temperature profile to invert.
Step-by-step explanation:
An increase in temperature with an altitude increase is called a temperature inversion. Normally, the temperature decreases as altitude increases in the atmosphere. However, during a temperature inversion, warmer air is held above cooler air, causing the temperature profile to invert. This phenomenon is important in meteorology because it can have various effects on weather and air quality.
Temperature inversions can trap air pollution, such as smog, close to the ground. They can also suppress convection, which can lead to the formation of violent thunderstorms if the inversion is broken. Additionally, temperature inversions can impact temperature variations at different atmospheric layers, influencing the transition between the troposphere and the stratosphere.