Most all air movement during an inversion is _________.

Most all air movement during an inversion is _________.

• A. Up
• B. Sideways
• C. Down
• D. Horizontal

Answer: (B)

When a temperature inversion forms, air near the ground sits under a layer where warmer air caps it, creating a strong stable stratification. This stability resists vertical motion, so rising or sinking air is greatly suppressed. The air that does move is carried by the wind along the inversion layer, meaning it travels mostly sideways rather than up or down. That’s why the best fill is sideways: horizontal movement dominates, while vertical mixing is minimized.

When a temperature inversion forms, air near the ground sits under a layer where warmer air caps it, creating a strong stable stratification. This stability resists vertical motion, so rising or sinking air is greatly suppressed. The air that does move is carried by the wind along the inversion layer, meaning it travels mostly sideways rather than up or down. That’s why the best fill is sideways: horizontal movement dominates, while vertical mixing is minimized.