It looks like an "inversion" like what creates the "brown cloud" in Phoenix, AZ during the winter. It's where the cold air get trapped in the bowl and the air above it warms as it moves around over the top of the mountains. the warm air acts like a "cap" for the valley
CrazyWorker1025 t1_j6ogv7n wrote
Reply to When temps get colder at the base versus the top by ZeDumpsterFire
It looks like an "inversion" like what creates the "brown cloud" in Phoenix, AZ during the winter. It's where the cold air get trapped in the bowl and the air above it warms as it moves around over the top of the mountains. the warm air acts like a "cap" for the valley