Distribution of temperature and inversion of temperature

In winter land areas cool faster so isotherms bend southward. In exams link season with land sea contrast.

The atmosphere is heated mainly from below by terrestrial radiation. In exams connect normal lapse rate with altitude.

Normal lapse rate is about (6.5^\circ C) per 1000 metres so the decrease is (19.5^\circ C). In exams convert height into kilometres first.

Interior high latitudes of continents have a very large summer winter contrast. In exams link continentality with annual range.

Dry air has low capacity to retain heat. In exams treat clouds and water vapour as temperature controls.

In temperature inversion the normal lapse rate is reversed and the air above is relatively warmer. In exams link inversion with stable air.

On a clear calm night the ground loses heat rapidly by radiation and cools the lower air. In exams treat clear calm night as a clue for radiation inversion.

Cold air is heavy so it flows downslope and accumulates on the valley floor. In exams identify this as cold air drainage.

Cold air collects on the valley floor and can bring temperature near freezing. In exams treat valley floors as frost pockets.

In inversion stable air traps pollutants near the surface. In exams remember the link between smog and inversion.

In high pressure descending air warms by compression and limits mixing. In exams link subsidence inversion with anticyclones.

In trade wind regions descending dry air aloft limits convection. In exams treat it as a factor restricting vertical cloud growth.

Cold ocean currents reduce the air temperature near coasts. In exams treat ocean currents as a major control of temperature distribution.

Warm ocean current and westerlies moderate the temperature of Western Europe. In exams check current effects at the same latitude.

Oceans moderate temperature so isotherms become more parallel and regular. In exams link land water distribution with isotherm patterns.

In summer continents heat faster and become warmer than oceans at the same latitude. In exams remember opposite patterns of January and July.

Water heats and cools slowly so extreme temperature variation is reduced. In exams link maritime effect with moderate temperature.

Radiational cooling accumulates through the night so minimum temperature occurs before sunrise. In exams link strongest inversion with late night or pre dawn.

Strong wind mixes cold lower air and warm upper air. In exams link calm wind with inversion formation and strong wind with breakup.

Clouds return part of outgoing terrestrial heat so the surface cools less. In exams treat cloudy night as reduced radiational cooling.

Cold dense air below and warm air above suppress vertical motion. In exams identify stable profile with inversion.

Because land has low heat capacity, its temperature changes rapidly seasonally. In exams link isotherm bending with differential heating.

Concrete asphalt and human activities store heat in cities. In exams treat urban areas as local temperature anomalies.

Cold air accumulates below so slopes may remain relatively warmer. In exams remember the concept of thermal belt.

The inversion layer acts like a lid and prevents vertical spread. In exams link inversion cap with pollution trapping.