What phenomenon occurs when atmospheric temperature first increases with altitude and then decreases?

The phenomenon described in the question, where atmospheric temperature first increases with altitude and then decreases, is known as a temperature inversion. This occurs when a layer of warmer air traps cooler air, which can lead to various atmospheric conditions, such as reduced air quality and the formation of smog.

In the context of the atmosphere, temperature typically decreases with increasing altitude due to the thinning of atmospheric gases. However, during a temperature inversion, this normal pattern is reversed in the lower atmosphere, which can influence weather patterns and contribute to stability in the atmosphere. This is particularly significant in meteorology because inversions can impact cloud formation and precipitation.

Although other terms like thermal layer, atmospheric refraction, and stratospheric layering refer to different atmospheric phenomena, they do not accurately describe the specific condition of temperature first increasing with altitude and then decreasing, making temperature inversion the correct choice for this question.