Which of the following is/are the ideal conditions for temperature inversion to occur?
A. Cloudy skies
B. Calm and stable air
C. Long summer days

Correct option is B

Correct Answer: (B) B and C only
Explanation:
→ Temperature inversion occurs when the normal decrease of air temperature with height is reversed, i.e., the air near the surface becomes cooler than the air above.
→ Ideal conditions for temperature inversion include:
Calm and stable air – prevents vertical mixing, allowing cold air to accumulate near the surface.
Long summer days – can create strong radiative cooling at night, especially in valleys or plains.
→ Cloudy skies are not favourable because clouds trap heat, reducing the cooling near the surface and thereby preventing inversion.
→ Temperature inversion often leads to fog formation, smog accumulation, and poor air quality in urban areas.
Information Booster:
→ Occurs when surface air is cooler than the air above.
→ Common in valleys, urban basins, and during winter nights.
→ Requires calm and stable atmospheric conditions to prevent mixing.
→ Long summer days enhance night-time radiative cooling.
→ Can lead to fog, frost, and trapping of pollutants near the surface.
→ Plays a significant role in air pollution events in industrial cities.
→ Influences local weather and microclimates significantly.