Where is a common location for a temperature inversion to occur?

A temperature inversion commonly occurs in the stratosphere. This phenomenon is characterized by an increase in temperature with altitude, which differs from the typical decrease in temperature observed in the troposphere. In the stratosphere, this temperature increase is primarily due to the absorption of ultraviolet radiation by the ozone layer, which warms the air at higher elevations.

While temperature inversions can occur at various altitudes, they are particularly significant in the stratosphere because they can create stable atmospheric conditions. This stability means there is less vertical mixing of air, which can lead to the trapping of pollutants and humidity, impacting air quality and weather patterns.

Inversions can also occur in the troposphere, particularly at night or over snow-covered areas, but they are not as characteristic of that layer as they are of the stratosphere. Near mountainous areas, local topography can influence weather patterns and temperature changes, but it doesn’t inherently imply a temperature inversion. Therefore, the stratosphere is the most accurate answer to the question regarding common locations for temperature inversions.