Drone Pilot Practice Exam

What might occur to visibility during a temperature inversion?

1. Visibility improves significantly

2. Visibility decreases

3. Visibility remains constant

4. Visibility alternates rapidly

The correct answer is: Visibility decreases

During a temperature inversion, visibility typically decreases due to the trapping of cooler, denser air near the ground under a layer of warmer air above. This phenomenon can lead to the accumulation of pollutants, moisture, and haze, which often results in reduced visibility. The cooler air may not only contain more water vapor, leading to fog, but also prevents air from mixing, which allows particulates and pollutants to concentrate at lower altitudes. These conditions can severely lower visibility, making it difficult to see distant objects clearly. The other options do not accurately reflect the effects of temperature inversions. Improved visibility is unlikely because the trapping of pollutants and moisture in the cooler air body leads to more obscured views. Consistent visibility is also not characteristic of temperature inversions, as changes in weather and pollution levels can lead to fluctuations. Rapid alternation of visibility is not a typical feature resulting from such a stable atmospheric condition; therefore, decreased visibility is the most accurate representation of what occurs during a temperature inversion.