What impact does a temperature inversion have on radar performance?

A temperature inversion occurs when a layer of warm air traps cooler air near the ground, creating a stable atmospheric condition. This phenomenon significantly affects radar performance by altering the propagation of radar signals. In such conditions, radar waves can be refracted—bending back toward the ground, which can create an anomaly in the expected radar return signals.

This bending effect can lead to the radar picking up reflections from objects that are not in the line of sight, resulting in the appearance of false targets. These false echoes may mislead an operator into thinking that there are actual objects or returns where none exist, which could complicate target identification and situational awareness.

Understanding how temperature inversions impact radar systems is crucial for operators and technicians, as it highlights the need to consider atmospheric conditions for accurate radar operation and data interpretation.