What condition occurs when absorbed daytime heat is rapidly released into space, causing surface air temperature to drop below that of overlying air?

The condition where absorbed daytime heat is rapidly released into space, leading to a drop in surface air temperature that falls below that of the overlying air, is accurately described as a radiation inversion. This phenomenon typically occurs on clear nights when the ground loses heat through radiation, causing surface temperatures to decrease significantly. As the ground cools, the air directly above it also cools, but the air at higher elevations remains warmer, creating a thermal inversion layer. This stratification can result in various atmospheric effects, including trapping pollutants and influencing local weather patterns.

Understanding radiation inversion is essential, especially in environmental health, as it plays a crucial role in air quality and can contribute to fog formation and the potential for smog, significantly impacting public health and safety. This understanding emphasizes the importance of monitoring and regulating emissions, particularly on nights when such inversions are likely to occur.