Capping inversion

However, if the air at the surface is [[convective instability|unstable]] enough, strong updrafts can be forced through the capping inversion. This selective process of only allowing the strongest updrafts to form [[thunderstorm]]s often results in outbreaks of [[severe weather]]. The role of capping inversions in bolstering the intensity of severe weather was realized in conceptual models that were developed by atmospheric science researchers in the late 1960s and had been recognized as a characteristic of tornado-producing airmasses as early as 1954.{{cite journal |last1=Carlson |first1=Toby N. |last2=Farrell |first2=Robert J. |title=The Lid Strength as an Aid in Predicting Severe Local Storms |journal=National Weather Digest |date=1983 |volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=27–39 |url=http://nwafiles.nwas.org/digest/papers/1983/Vol08No2/1983v008no02-Carlson-Farrell.pdf |access-date=22 May 2022 |publisher=National Weather Association}}{{cite journal |last1=Banacos |first1=Peter C. |last2=Ekster |first2=Michael L. |title=The Association of the Elevated Mixed Layer with Significant Severe Weather Events in the Northeastern United States* |journal=Weather and Forecasting |date=1 August 2010 |volume=25 |issue=4 |pages=1082–1102 |doi=10.1175/2010WAF2222363.1 |publisher=American Meteorological Society|bibcode=2010WtFor..25.1082B |doi-access=free }} {{free access}}

However, if the air at the surface is [[convective instability|unstable]] enough, strong updrafts can be forced through the capping inversion. This selective process of only allowing the strongest updrafts to form [[thunderstorm]]s often results in outbreaks of [[severe weather]]. The role of capping inversions in bolstering the intensity of severe weather was realized in conceptual models that were developed by atmospheric science researchers in the late 1960s and had been recognized as a characteristic of tornado-producing airmasses as early as 1954.{{cite journal |last1=Carlson |first1=Toby N. |last2=Farrell |first2=Robert J. |title=The Lid Strength as an Aid in Predicting Severe Local Storms |journal=National Weather Digest |date=1983 |volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=27–39 |url=http://nwafiles.nwas.org/digest/papers/1983/Vol08No2/1983v008no02-Carlson-Farrell.pdf |access-date=22 May 2022 |publisher=National Weather Association}}{{cite journal |last1=Banacos |first1=Peter C. |last2=Ekster |first2=Michael L. |title=The Association of the Elevated Mixed Layer with Significant Severe Weather Events in the Northeastern United States* |journal=Weather and Forecasting |date=1 August 2010 |volume=25 |issue=4 |pages=1082–1102 |doi=10.1175/2010WAF2222363.1 |publisher=American Meteorological Society|bibcode=2010WtFor..25.1082B |doi-access=free }} {{free access}}

== Role in severe weather ==

== Role in severe weather ==

In some severe weather events, this capping inversion can emerge when a warm and dry [[Mixed layer#Atmospheric mixed layer|mixed layer]] originating over a high [[plateau]] moves over a cooler and moister airmass, forming an "elevated mixed layer" (EML).{{cite journal |last1=Carlson |first1=T. N. |last2=Benjamin |first2=S. G. |last3=Forbes |first3=G. S. |last4=Li |first4=Y-F. |title=Elevated Mixed Layers in the Regional Severe Storm Environment: Conceptual Model and Case Studies |journal=Monthly Weather Review |date=July 1983 |volume=111 |issue=7 |pages=1453–1474 |doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1983)111<1453:EMLITR>2.0.CO;2|doi-access=free }} {{free access}} ENLs can be identified in [[Atmospheric sounding|radiosonde soundings]] by their steep temperature [[lapse rate]]s and an increase in [[relative humidity]] from the bottom to the top of the layer.{{cite journal |last1=Banacos |first1=Peter C. |last2=Ekster |first2=Michael L. |title=The Association of the Elevated Mixed Layer with Significant Severe Weather Events in the Northeastern United States |journal=Weather and Forecasting |date=1 August 2010 |volume=25 |issue=4 |pages=1082–1102 |doi=10.1175/2010WAF2222363.1|doi-access=free}} They can be found worldwide downwind of high terrain, such as over [[South Asia]], eastern Australia, east of the [[Rocky Mountains]] in the central U.S. and northern [[Mexico]], and east of the foothills of the [[Andes]].{{cite journal |last1=Ribeiro |first1=Bruno Z. |last2=Bosart |first2=Lance F. |title=Elevated Mixed Layers and Associated Severe Thunderstorm Environments in South and North America |journal=Monthly Weather Review |date=January 2018 |volume=146 |issue=1 |pages=3–28 |doi=10.1175/MWR-D-17-0121.1|doi-access=free }} {{free access}} The [[Spanish plume]] weather pattern over western and central Europe, commonly associated with strong thunderstorm events, is also associated with an EML.{{cite journal |last1=Schultz |first1=David M. |last2=Young |first2=Martin V. |last3=Kirshbaum |first3=Daniel J. |title=The “Spanish Plume” Elevated Mixed Layer: Review of its Use and Misuse within the Scientific Literature |journal=Monthly Weather Review |date=25 February 2025 |doi=10.1175/MWR-D-24-0139.1|doi-access=free}}

In some severe weather events, this capping inversion can emerge when a warm and dry [[Mixed layer#Atmospheric mixed layer|mixed layer]] originating over a high [[plateau]] moves over a cooler and moister airmass, forming an "elevated mixed layer" (EML).{{cite journal |last1=Carlson |first1=T. N. |last2=Benjamin |first2=S. G. |last3=Forbes |first3=G. S. |last4=Li |first4=Y-F. |title=Elevated Mixed Layers in the Regional Severe Storm Environment: Conceptual Model and Case Studies |journal=Monthly Weather Review |date=July 1983 |volume=111 |issue=7 |pages=1453–1474 |doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1983)111<1453:EMLITR>2.0.CO;2|doi-access=free }} {{free access}} EMLs can be identified in [[Atmospheric sounding|radiosonde soundings]] by their steep temperature [[lapse rate]]s and an increase in [[relative humidity]] from the bottom to the top of the layer.{{cite journal |last1=Banacos |first1=Peter C. |last2=Ekster |first2=Michael L. |title=The Association of the Elevated Mixed Layer with Significant Severe Weather Events in the Northeastern United States |journal=Weather and Forecasting |date=1 August 2010 |volume=25 |issue=4 |pages=1082–1102 |doi=10.1175/2010WAF2222363.1|doi-access=free}} They can be found worldwide downwind of high terrain, such as over [[South Asia]], eastern Australia, east of the [[Rocky Mountains]] in the central U.S. and northern [[Mexico]], and east of the foothills of the [[Andes]].{{cite journal |last1=Ribeiro |first1=Bruno Z. |last2=Bosart |first2=Lance F. |title=Elevated Mixed Layers and Associated Severe Thunderstorm Environments in South and North America |journal=Monthly Weather Review |date=January 2018 |volume=146 |issue=1 |pages=3–28 |doi=10.1175/MWR-D-17-0121.1|doi-access=free }} {{free access}} The [[Spanish plume]] weather pattern over western and central Europe, commonly associated with strong thunderstorm events, is also associated with an EML.{{cite journal |last1=Schultz |first1=David M. |last2=Young |first2=Martin V. |last3=Kirshbaum |first3=Daniel J. |title=The “Spanish Plume” Elevated Mixed Layer: Review of its Use and Misuse within the Scientific Literature |journal=Monthly Weather Review |date=25 February 2025 |doi=10.1175/MWR-D-24-0139.1|doi-access=free}}

==See also==

==See also==