ICSE Class 9 Answered

Generally, temperature decreases with height. However, in some areas and during particular periods, the temperature of a place increases with height in the atmosphere. This reversal of temperature is known as the inversion of temperature.

Inversion of temperature takes place in the mountainous regions when cold air sinks down to the valleys and basins due to its greater weight. The upper layer retains its warmth. In such circumstances, the temperature increases with height.

On landmasses, during a long winter night, land looses heat quickly and the temperature decreases.

However, it is to be noticed that the inversion of temperature lasts only for few hours