Comparison of Temperature Inversion Frequency, Duration, and Formation Time in Kentucky Uplands and River Bottoms

Spray applications of pesticide that occur during a ground level temperature inversion can result in suspended droplets in the stable air mass. The ultimate fate of these suspended droplets is unpredictable as the air mass can move in multiple directions throughout the inversion state, although the air mass does prefer to move down elevation. Due to this unpredictability, applications into temperature inversions, especially with herbicides like dicamba can result in wide spread injury due to off target movement. There is still a large amount unknown about when and where temperature inversion may occur although it is known that they generally beginning developing prior to sunset and disperse after sunrise. This proposed project would be an addition to an already existing multistate project monitoring temperature inversions in Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Indiana. Temperature inversion monitoring stations would be setup in two locations in Fulton County Kentucky, one in a lower elevation and the second within approximately a mile at a higher elevation. The stations would meet the specs that are required by the lead collaborators at the University of Missouri and all data analysis would occur at the University of Missouri. The data gleaned from these stations in conjunction with surround state station setup in a similar fashion would further detail the difference in the setup time and duration of temperature inversion between a lower elevation such as a river bottom and higher upland elevation.