What condition occurs when the air temperature increases with altitude?

When air temperature increases with altitude, the phenomenon is known as a temperature inversion. This occurs when a layer of warmer air traps cooler air near the ground, causing the stable air below to remain cooler. This condition can lead to various atmospheric effects, such as the trapping of pollutants close to the earth's surface and affecting weather patterns.

In the case of temperature inversions, the typical lapse rate, where temperatures decrease with altitude in the troposphere, is reversed. As a result, pilots and air traffic controllers need to be aware of temperature inversions, as they can have significant implications for aircraft performance and safety. For instance, the stability in these layers can lead to a lack of vertical mixing, which can influence turbulence and visibility.

Cold fronts typically refer to a boundary separating two different air masses, while clear air turbulence involves turbulent air that can occur in clear skies, often at high altitudes. Wind shear relates to changes in wind speed and direction at different altitudes, and while it can occur in conjunction with temperature inversions, it does not describe the specific condition of temperature rising with altitude.