Temperature inversions in the Vale of Eden

The Pennine uplands of northern England have long been studied as a maritime environment extremely sensitive to small climatic fluctuations (Manley 1942, 1943; Pepin 1995, 1997). There is usually a rapid decrease in temperature with elevation associated with the frequently mobile circulation and particularly the instability of the prevailing polar maritime airmass (Harding 1978, 1979). However, in contrast to the usual decline in temperature and strong increase in wind speed, cloud cover and precipitation with elevation, there are occasional spells of more settled weather when in some cases temperatures experienced on the ground may increase with elevation (a temperature inversion). The relative frequency and characteristics of such conditions are examined in this article.