Cloud Inversions In the Drakensberg

As an aside, in meteorology or climate science we don't seem to use the term 'cloud inversion'. I have only heard it from photographers before.
Inversions is a term we do use: they are just an increase in temperature with height. Normally temperature decreases with height.
The type of inversion involved in this case is a 'non-surface' or 'subsidence' inversion.
The classic paper for SA was written some time ago:
Towards an inversion climatology of Southern Africa: Part II, non-surface inversions in the lower atmosphere
RA Preston-Whyte, RD Diab, PD Tyson
South African Geographical Journal 59 (1), 45-59

Here are some schematics (cross-sections) to show the 3 cases of stratus cloud :1) shallow cloud in the mist belt of KZN while Berg is clear, 2)  cloud up to but not over escarpment and 3) cloud over the escarpment     

 

 

 

 

Hi Tiska
Thanks for the info and the time to put it together.  Going to print some of these diagrams and keep them in one of my berg books.

Thanks Tiska

really  informative