Surface temperature inversions are commonly generated by which of the following?

Surface temperature inversions are commonly generated by terrestrial radiation on a calm clear night. This phenomenon occurs when the surface of the Earth cools quickly after sunset. During clear nights with little or no wind, the ground loses heat through radiation, which leads to a drop in temperature near the surface. As the ground cools, the air directly above it also cools, but the layers of air higher up can remain relatively warmer. This creates an inversion layer where the temperature increases with altitude, contrary to the typical decrease in temperature with height.

This atmospheric condition is highly stable as warmer air acts as a cap, preventing the cooler air (which is denser) from rising. Consequently, this setup can lead to the accumulation of pollutants and moisture at the surface, often resulting in fog or haze. The stability provides a clear example of how terrestrial radiation during nighttime conditions can establish these inversions, making it a key factor in their formation.

In contrast, the other options involve conditions that generally do not favor the establishment of temperature inversions. For example, an unstable air mass causing convection currents would typically contribute to vertical mixing of air, which disrupts the formation of an inversion. Similarly, gusting winds increase turbulence and surface friction, which tends to allow