Tropospheric humidity inversions are an important component of the Earth’s climate system as well as a significant factor affecting the global radiation budget and cloud formation. Their occurrence enlarges the amount of downward longwave radiation trapped near the Earth’s surface and provides moisture to maintain the top of clouds from evaporation. The aim of this paper is to examine the spatiotemporal variability of the humidity inversions over Europe. For the first time, we provide also a comprehensive analysis of relations between the humidity inversions and temperature inversions over the domain considered. The study is based on data derived from the ERA-Interim reanalysis for the period 1981–2015. We have confirmed that the temporal and spatial variability of the humidity inversions is strongly related to inversion type. The mean seasonal frequency of surface-based humidity inversions (SBHI) usually does not exceed 20%, while the mean seasonal frequency of elevated humidity inversions (EHI) ranges from 5 to 60% depending on the region and season. On average, EHI are substantially deeper and stronger than SBHI. We found also that the low-tropospheric humidity inversions often occur simultaneously with the temperature inversions. Moderate positive correlations exist, however, only among the parameters (depth and strength) of the same inversion type, but not between the humidity inversions and the temperature inversions. Considering the links between EHI and ETI (elevated temperature inversions) parameters, slightly higher values of the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (ρ_s > 0.50) are found between EHI base height and ETI base height. Nonetheless, the simultaneous occurrence of EHI and ETI usually fosters the intensity of both inversion types.

对流层湿度反演是地球气候系统的重要组成部分，也是影响全球辐射预算和云形成的重要因素。它们的发生扩大了被困在地球表面附近的向下的长波辐射的数量，并提供了水分以保持云层顶部不被蒸发。本文的目的是研究欧洲湿度反演的时空变化。首次，我们还提供了所考虑范围内湿度反演和温度反演之间关系的综合分析。这项研究基于1981-2015年间ERA-Interim重新分析得出的数据。我们已经证实，湿度反演的时间和空间变化与反演类型密切相关。基于地面的湿度反演（SBHI）的平均季节性频率通常不超过20％，而根据区域和季节，升高的湿度反演（EHI）的平均季节性频率为5％至60％。平均而言，EHI比SBHI更深，更强大。我们还发现，低对流层湿度反演通常与温度反演同时发生。但是，仅在相同反演类型的参数（深度和强度）之间存在中等正相关，而在湿度反演和温度反演之间不存在中等正相关。考虑到EHI和ETI（高温反演）参数之间的联系，斯皮尔曼秩相关系数的值稍高（而高湿度反演（EHI）的平均季节性频率范围为5％至60％，具体取决于区域和季节。平均而言，EHI比SBHI更深，更强大。我们还发现，低对流层湿度反演通常与温度反演同时发生。但是，仅在相同反演类型的参数（深度和强度）之间存在中等正相关，而在湿度反演和温度反演之间不存在中等正相关。考虑到EHI和ETI（高温反演）参数之间的联系，斯皮尔曼秩相关系数的值稍高（而高湿度反演（EHI）的平均季节性频率范围为5％至60％，具体取决于区域和季节。平均而言，EHI比SBHI更深，更强大。我们还发现，低对流层湿度反演通常与温度反演同时发生。但是，仅在相同反演类型的参数（深度和强度）之间存在中等正相关，而在湿度反演和温度反演之间不存在中等正相关。考虑到EHI和ETI（高温反演）参数之间的联系，斯皮尔曼秩相关系数的值稍高（我们还发现，低对流层湿度反演通常与温度反演同时发生。但是，仅在相同反演类型的参数（深度和强度）之间存在中等正相关，而在湿度反演和温度反演之间不存在中等正相关。考虑到EHI和ETI（高温反演）参数之间的联系，斯皮尔曼秩相关系数的值稍高（我们还发现，低对流层湿度反演通常与温度反演同时发生。但是，仅在相同反演类型的参数（深度和强度）之间存在适度的正相关，而在湿度反演和温度反演之间不存在中等正相关。考虑到EHI和ETI（高温反演）参数之间的联系，斯皮尔曼秩相关系数的值稍高（ρ_小号> 0.50）的EHI基本高度和ETI基本高度之间找到。但是，同时发生的EHI和ETI通常会增强两种反演类型的强度。