What can result from flying through a temperature inversion?

Flying through a temperature inversion can lead to conditions conducive to clear air turbulence. Inversions occur when warm air traps cooler air at the surface, which can result in significant changes to airflow patterns. The existence of stable air associated with an inversion can lead to clear air turbulence as the layers of air interact, particularly when there are strong winds at higher altitudes. The smooth surface of the warm air can create turbulent conditions if aircraft penetrate into the colder, denser air below, leading to sudden and unexpected changes in altitude and attitude.

While increased airspeed, unstable atmospheric conditions, and reduced visibility can also occur in different weather scenarios, they are not direct results of a temperature inversion. Increased airspeed might happen due to other factors but is not directly linked to inversions. Unstable atmospheric conditions typically arise in different situations, such as with thunderstorms or frontal boundaries. Similarly, reduced visibility is more commonly associated with fog, precipitation, or pollution rather than inversions themselves, even though inversions can trap pollutants.