What is a common indication of an inversion in weather conditions?

A distinct line where smog or low cloud stops is a common indication of an inversion in weather conditions. This phenomenon occurs when a layer of warm air traps cooler air near the ground, leading to a stable atmosphere. As pollutants like smog and fog tend to accumulate in the cooler air beneath the warmer layer, one can observe a clear delineation where the low cloud or smog ceases abruptly. This line signifies the boundary between the warmer layer above and the cooler air below, effectively creating a visual cue of the temperature inversion.

Inversions often prevent vertical mixing, trapping pollutants and moisture within the lower layers of the atmosphere. This results in a number of weather-related consequences, including poor air quality and persistent cloud cover.

While clear blue skies without clouds may suggest stable weather conditions, they do not specifically indicate an inversion. The presence of storms and turbulence typically arises from instability in the atmosphere, which is contrary to the stability seen in inversions. High humidity levels can be associated with a variety of weather conditions and do not directly correlate with the presence or identification of an inversion, making those options less representative of what an inversion actually indicates.