What is a useful indication of low level wind shear?

A strong temperature inversion is indeed a useful indication of low-level wind shear. In meteorology, a temperature inversion occurs when a layer of warm air traps cooler air near the surface. This situation can lead to significant variations in wind speed and direction with altitude, which is characteristic of wind shear.

In a stable atmosphere created by an inversion, the winds just above the inversion layer can often be much stronger than those at the surface. When aircraft transition through these layers, they can experience abrupt changes in wind speed and direction, which can affect flight performance and stability during takeoff and landing.

This phenomenon is especially crucial during conditions of potential low-level wind shear, such as in the vicinity of fronts or thunderstorms, where changes in wind can be more pronounced. Thus, recognizing a strong temperature inversion can help pilots anticipate and manage the risks associated with low-level wind shear effectively.