Why is the Earths Surface Warm Some of the suns energy is converted to heat as it penetrates the earths atmosphere The radiant heat of the sun also warms the surface of the earth NASA Heating of Air ID: 322219
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Slide1
Temperature InversionsSlide2
Why is the Earth’s Surface Warm?
Some of the sun’s energy is converted to heat as it penetrates the earth’s atmosphere
The radiant heat of the sun also warms the surface of the earth
NASASlide3
Heating of Air
The warmed surface of the earth heats the air just above it in the troposphere by convection
Troposphere = the lower atmosphere that we live in
Some of the sun’s energy also heats the air through conduction and the rising of warmed air (convection)
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream//atmos/heat.htmSlide4
Atmospheric Layers and Temperature
As it rises, this warmed air in the troposphere expands and cools
Density of the air decreases with the expansion of air, making it ‘lighter’ in weight
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream//atmos/atmprofile.htmSlide5
Air Temperature in the Lower Atmosphere
Temperature at earth’s surface= about 62°F/17°C
Temperature at about 12 miles altitude = about 60°F/-51°C
Height of troposphere is approx. 12 mi. at equator
Air temperature in the troposphere therefore gets cooler as altitude increasesSlide6
Air Movement
As the warm air rises, cooler air (more dense, therefore heavier), rushes in to take its place
This ‘vertical mixing’ is what
causes wind
Thermal column. The cloud (A) is above the ground. The sun increases the temperature of the ground which will then warm the air above it (1). The bubble of hot air starts to rise (2) and begins to cool as it expands and moves upward into cooler air. Due to its lower temperature, the air becomes cold enough to contract and then move downward (3) to repeat the cycle.
Wikimedia CommonsSlide7
What is a Temperature Inversion?
A ‘Temperature Inversion’ occurs when the normal profile of warm at the surface and cooler as altitude increases is ‘inverted’ or turned upside down
Cool air will be found at lower altitudes, with warmer air above during an inversion
Height (y-axis) versus Temperature (x-axis) under normal atmospheric conditions (black line). The path D-C illustrates an inversion aloft.
Wikimedia CommonsSlide8
Temperature Inversions and PollutionThe normal movement and mixing of cold and warm air in our atmosphere creates turbulence, which helps to lift and disperse pollutants
Temperature inversions, however, keep cool, dense air near the surface, reducing the vertical movement
Pollutants stay near the surface
Pollutants become concentrated as more are added by everyday activities
Pollutant concentrations may become hazardousSlide9
Favorable Conditions to Form a Temperature Inversion
Calm winds ➯ reduce vertical mixing
Clear skies ➯ increase rate of surface cooling
Less ‘greenhouse effect’
Rising smoke in Lochcarron, Scotland forms a ceiling over the valley due to a temperature inversion. The picture was taken on an afternoon
in January after a cold night.
Wikimedia Commons
Slide10
Other Favorable Conditions for Forming a Temperature Inversion
Long nights ➯ greater duration of cooling
Inversions more common in winter due to longer
nights
Inversions are stronger in winter because of the greater difference in temperature between the cool surface air and the warmer air aloft
A very low angle of the sun
in the sky (as in winter)
➯ less daytime heating of air
close to the ground and
surface
Wikimedia CommonsSlide11
Types of Temperature Inversions
Radiation
Temperature Inversion
Subsidence Temperature Inversion
Shanghai
Wikimedia CommonsSlide12
What Causes a
Radiation
Temperature Inversion?
Mechanism
1. Ground loses heat quickly after sunset
2. Air in contact with ground then cools quickly
3. Air above surface stays warm since air is a poor conductor of heat
Cooling of the air at night near the groundSlide13
Radiation Temperature Inversions
Morning warming by the sun will often reverse a temperature inversion by afternoon
Pollutants built up during the night also disperse
Wikimedia CommonsSlide14
Radiation Temperature Inversions and Topography
Cooler, denser air cannot rise up over mountains to laterally disperse pollutants
Mountains also block the low angle of the winter sun, reducing warming of the air
Cloudy weather will block the sun, further decreasing warming
Mexico City
Wikimedia Commons
Areas in a mountain basin may experience prolonged radiation temperature inversionsSlide15
What Causes a Subsidence
Temperature Inversion?
A high altitude mass of warm air moves into an area over cooler air near the surface
High pressure pushes the warm air mass down, effectively capping the cooler air below
Fog over San Francisco
Wikimedia Commons
Fog may be seen under the inversion cap
Subsidence temperature inversions are usually short-livedSlide16
Subsidence Temperature Inversions and Topography
Areas with mountains on three sides and the ocean on the fourth may experience frequent and prolonged subsidence temperature inversions
Mechanism
1. Ocean breezes cool the surface air
2. Mountains surrounding prevent the cooler, heavier air from dispersing over the mountains and removing pollutantsSlide17
Subsidence Temperature Inversions and Smog
These conditions are especially problematic in areas like Los Angeles, CA
Warm, sunny climate and high level of pollutants (vehicle, shipping, port) causes a photochemical smog
Smog persists due to frequent subsidence temperature inversions for at least half the year (summer and fall)
Low rainfall (15” per year) limits clearance of smog
David Iliff, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Los_Angeles_Pollution.jpgSlide18
The Great London Smog of 1952
The Great Smog (AKA “Big Smoke”) affected London in 1952
5 days in December
Temperature inversion that caused the worst air pollution event in UK history
Nelson’s Column, London, during the Great Smog, December 1952
Wikimedia CommonsSlide19
The Great Smog of 1952- Meteorological Causes
Weather had been very cold, so more low-grade, high sulfur coal (the least expensive) was being burned than usual
This increased sulfur dioxide in the air significantly
There was very little wind, thus little dispersal of pollutants
Cold, stagnant air was trapped under a layer of warmer air above
A high pressure area settled over London, decreasing air movement further (a subsidence temperature inversion)
Prevailing winds blew heavily polluted air across the English Channel from industrial areas of EuropeSlide20
The Great Smog of 1952- Human Causes
London had recently changed from an electric tram system to diesel buses; this diesel exhaust added pollution and particulates to the mix
Tarry particles of soot were also in the mix from chimney smoke, commercial, and industrial sourcesSlide21
Great Smog of 1952- Health Impact
As Londoners were used to fog, there was no panic initially
The very young and very old, however, began to have respiratory problems, as did those who already had chronic respiratory problems
Public transportation and even ambulances had to stop running, as the
fog was so thick that visibility was only a few yardsSlide22
Great Smog of 1952- Health Impact
4,000 people died from respiratory tract infections, lung infections, etc. during the days of the smog
8,000 more people died from respiratory problems in the months just after the Great Smog
This episode made governments aware of the need for legislation to clean up the air to prevent a lethal situation in the futureSlide23
Thermal Inversions in Georgia
These sometimes happen in the metro Atlanta area after a cold fall or winter night when many people have been using their wood-burning fireplaces, or have burned leaves during the day
Try to view the area from a higher vantage point to see the full effect of the inversion
Want to see a temperature inversion?Slide24
How to Help Limit Temperature Inversions and Protect Yourself
When the conditions are conducive to forming an inversion, reduce activities that might contribute, such as extra driving, burning wood, leaves, or refuse, etc.
Wood smoke contains much more particulate pollution than oil- or gas-fired furnaces
Follow the Air Quality Index reports online, in the newspaper, or on radio and follow recommendations for any change in activity
If you have respiratory problems, make a plan with
your care-givers as to what you need to do if
there is a thermal inversion with a lot of
pollution close to the ground
Practice the 3 Rs
every
day
to limit overall pollution
from factories, power plants, transportation, and
waste disposal