An increase in temperature with an increase in altitude indicates what phenomenon?

An increase in temperature with an increase in altitude is characteristic of a temperature inversion. Under normal atmospheric conditions, temperature generally decreases with altitude due to the cooling effect of rising air. However, during a temperature inversion, a layer of warmer air traps cooler air beneath it. This can occur for various reasons, such as radiative cooling of the earth's surface overnight, which cools the bottom layer of air, while the air above remains warmer.

This phenomenon can lead to stability in the atmosphere because it suppresses vertical mixing, often resulting in hazy conditions and reduced air quality, as pollutants and moisture are trapped near the surface. Inversions can significantly impact weather patterns and local temperatures, and they can occur in different environments, from urban settings to mountainous regions. By recognizing this process of inversions, one can better understand atmospheric stability and its effects on weather phenomena.