An Indirect Method for Measuring Surface-Based Temperature Inversions.
Abstract:
An indirect method for determining and measuring surface-based temperature inversions is proposed. The instrumentation for this purpose is a constant air monitor that measures the natural radioactivity of the atmosphere and records it on a strip chart. By means of deflections in the normal background radioactivity, the beginning and end of the inversion, as well as the time of maximum deflection, can be determined. In addition, a prolonged deflection continuing into the afternoon indicating that an air episode or smog alert may be forecast. Comparison of this method with that used by the National Weather Service Forecast Office gives reasonable agreement. Differences are probably due to local climatic differences, topography, and to inclusion of data for Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.