Thermal investment: what is and why it occurs

Thermal investment is an atmospheric phenomenon in which The temperature increases with altitude instead of decreasingas is typical in the atmosphere. Normally, the temperature decreases as we rise in the atmosphere, but in a thermal investment, there is a layer of warm air that is found on a colder air layer near the surface of the earth.

A thermal investment is generated when Atmospheric conditions favor an unusual change in the vertical temperature profile. Under normal conditions, the air temperature decreases as we ascend in the atmosphere. However, during a thermal investment, this pattern is reversed, and the temperature increases with altitude instead of decreasing. Depending on when and how it happens it can trigger storms, cold or very heat, and even an increase in pollution levels.

Depending on the type of thermal investment that occurs, it will be generated in one way or another. In the next section we will see the different types of thermal investment.

Discover in this article the composition of the atmosphere.

Night investment or air radiation next to the ground

It commonly occurs during clear and calm nights. The Earth surface emits thermal radiation to spacewhich causes the air layer in direct contact with the surface to cool quickly. This can lead to a colder air layer near the surface, with increasing temperatures at higher altitude.

This process can lead to a night thermal investment, where a colder air layer is formed near the surface, while a warmer layer is above. Night thermal investment is more common in Clear and windless nightssince these conditions allow heat to escape more efficiently from the surface to space.

Marine investment

Marine thermal investment is a phenomenon related to temperature variations in the atmospheric bodies on water bodiessuch as oceans, seas or lakes. Although the term “thermal investment” is often associated with the atmosphere on the mainland, it can also occur on water. This phenomenon can have significant impacts on weather conditions and air quality in coastal areas.

Front investment

It occurs In association with meteorological fronts. When a cold air mass advances and replaces a warm air mass, the interface between the two masses can lead to a thermal investment.

In the case of frontal thermal investment, it occurs when a Warm air mass ascends and overlaps a colder air dough. Under normal conditions, the temperature would decrease with altitude, but during a frontal thermal investment, the warm air layer is found on the cold air layer, causing a temperature increase instead of a decrease.

Investment by subsidence

A thermal investment generated by subsidence is the increase in temperature that is verified with the altitude due to the Gradual descent of a medium or high level layer associated with an anticyclonic system. The offspring of this air from upper altitudes causes its compression heating, giving rise to a layer of hot, dry and highly stable air.

The subsidence process is gradual and can extend over several days. During this period, thermal investment is intensified as it approaches the surface, resulting in the air progressively warmer and more dry than the air layer below. The summits of the mountainous chains experience the warm and dry conditions characteristic of a thermal investment by subsidence before the less high areas.

In general, thermal investments are more pronounced to End of summer and autumnespecially to the north and east of a dorsal of persistent high pressure on a region for prolonged periods, sometimes several weeks.

We recommend reading this article about what cyclones and anticyclones are.

• Contrapation of pollutants: Thermal investment can catch contaminants in the lowest air layer, since the warmest air in the upper part acts as a kind of lid, preventing pollutants from dispersing vertically.
• Stable weather conditions: During a thermal investment, the atmosphere tends to become more stable, which means that there is less vertical air mixture. This can lead to the accumulation of contaminants in the lower air layer.
• Air quality effects: The accumulation of contaminants in the lower air layer can negatively affect air quality, since pollutants can concentrate and persist at higher levels than in normal atmospheric conditions.

Now that you know what a thermal investment is, you may also be interested in knowing the calm: what it is, why it occurs and effects.

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