DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) -Â Have you ever wondered why sometimes the weather seems to change suddenly or why certain clouds tower high in the sky while others do not? One key factor is the atmospheric cap, also known as a temperature inversion.
An atmospheric cap occurs when a layer of warmer air sits above relatively cooler air at, or just above, the ground. This creates a barrier that traps moisture. Typically, this inversion layer prevents clouds and storms from developing, leading to more stable conditions or brief showers.
However, when the cap breaks, moist air is free to move higher, eventually cooling and condensing into a cloud that forms a thunderstorm. Given proper vertical development, these thunderstorms can turn severe. That's exactly what WAND weather will be watching over the coming days. One way to stay up-to-date on weather changes is to download the free WAND weather app to track storms.Â
Stay safe, stay sweaty and stay weather-aware.Â
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