Capping inversion

Capping inversion

A capping inversion is an elevated inversion layer that caps a convective boundary layer.

The "boundary layer" is the part of the atmosphere which is closest to the ground. Normally, the sun heats the ground, which in turn heats the air just above it. Thermals form when this warm air rises into the cold air (warm air is less dense than cold air), a process known as convection. A "convective" layer such as this has the potential for cloud formation, since condensation occurs as the warm air rises and cools.

An inversion layer is when the normal temperature (warm air below, cold air above) profile is reversed, creating a stable configuration of dense, cold air sitting below lighter, warm air.

An "elevated" inversion layer is thus a region of warm air above a region of cold air, but higher in the atmosphere (generally not touching the surface).

A "capping inversion" occurs when there is a boundary layer with a normal temperature profile (warm air rising into cooler air) and the layer above that is an inversion layer (cooler air below warm air). Cloud formation from the lower layer is "capped" by the inversion layer. If the capping inversion layer or "cap" is too strong (too close to the surface), it will prevent thunderstorms from developing. A strong cap can result in foggy conditions.

However, if the air at the surface is unstable enough, strong updrafts can be forced through the capping inversion. This selective process of only allowing the strongest updrafts to form thunderstorms often results in outbreaks of severe weather.

ee also

*Convective available potential energy
*Convective inhibition

External links

* [http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/search?id=capping-inversion1 Capping Inversion] - AMS Glossary of Meteorology
* [http://education.arm.gov/nsdl/Library/glossary.shtml#Capping_inversion Capping Inversion] - National Science Digital Library


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Inversion (meteorology) — In meteorology, an inversion is a deviation from the normal change of an atmospheric property with altitude. It almost always refers to a temperature inversion, i.e., an increase in temperature with height, or to the layer within which such an… …   Wikipedia

  • Air pollution dispersion terminology — describes the words and technical terms that have a special meaning to those who work in the field of air pollution dispersion modeling. Governmental environmental protection agencies (local, state, province and national) of many countries have… …   Wikipedia

  • thunderstorm — /thun deuhr stawrm /, n. a transient storm of lightning and thunder, usually with rain and gusty winds, sometimes with hail or snow, produced by cumulonimbus clouds. Also called electrical storm. [1645 55; THUNDER + STORM] * * * Violent, short… …   Universalium

  • List of meteorology topics — This is a list of meteorology topics. The terms relate to meteorology, the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere that focuses on weather processes and forecasting. (see also: List of meteorological phenomena)AlphanumericTOC… …   Wikipedia

  • Cap (disambiguation) — A cap is a form of headgear.Cap may also refer to: * Bottle cap, a closure to seal bottles * Screw cap, a closure to seal bottles or jars * Cap (sport), a sporting cap awarded to players representing their country * Cape (geography), the French… …   Wikipedia

  • Supercell — A supercell is a severe thunderstorm with a deep, continuously rotating updraft (a mesocyclone). [ [http://www.stormchasers.au.com/lemon7.htm 12B ] ] Of the four classifications of thunderstorms (supercell, single cell, multi cell, and squall… …   Wikipedia

  • 1990 Plainfield tornado — Infobox tornado single name = Plainfield Crest Hill Joliet Tornado image location = date = August 28, 1990 time = 3:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. CDT fujitascale = F5 total damages (USD) = $165 million total fatalities = 29 area affected = Plainfield,… …   Wikipedia

  • Planetary boundary layer — Depiction of where the planetary boundary layer lies on a sunny day The planetary boundary layer (PBL), also known as the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL), is the lowest part of the atmosphere and its behavior is directly influenced by its… …   Wikipedia

  • Convective available potential energy — A skew T plot showing a morning sounding with a large hydrolapse followed by an afternoon sounding showing the cooling which occurred in the mid levels resulting in an unstable atmosphere as surface parcels have now become negatively buoyant. The …   Wikipedia

  • Convective inhibition — A Skew T diagram with important features labeled Convective inhibition (CIN or CINH) is a numerical measure in meteorology that indicates the amount of energy that will prevent an air parcel from rising from the surface to the level of free… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”