surface inversion

surface inversion

[′sər·fəs in‚vər·zhən] (meteorology) A temperature inversion based at the earth's surface; that is, an increase of temperature with height beginning at ground level. Also known as ground inversion.

surface inversion

A meteorological phenomenon in which the temperature inversion commences at the surface of the earth or the sea. Surface inversions occur mostly at night and are caused by the cooling of the air near the surface by terrestrial radiation.