What happens to visibility during an inversion?

• A. Improves
• B. Decreases
• C. Remains constant
• D. Varies significantly

Answer: (A)

During an inversion, visibility generally improves, primarily due to the stabilization of the air layers involved. An inversion occurs when a layer of warmer air traps the cooler air (and associated pollutants) at the surface. Under these conditions, the air is relatively calm, and turbulence is minimized. This calm air allows for less mixing, which helps to keep visibility higher, as fewer particulates and moisture are suspended in the air.

When an inversion is present, the temperature gradient often leads to clearer skies above, which can help further enhance visibility. The improved visibility is a result of the reduced presence of fog and other visibility-reducing phenomena that are more common in unstable air conditions. Inversion layers can sometimes trap moisture at lower altitudes, but generally speaking, overall visibility will fare better than in unstable conditions where mixing occurs, leading to a greater dispersal of pollutants and moisture.

This contrasts with the other choices, where decreases or significant variations in visibility would typically coincide with a turbulent atmosphere or weather phenomena that introduce more moisture and particulates into the air, reducing clarity.