Final answer:
Temperature inversions can cause poor visibility, suppress convection leading to sudden thunderstorms, and produce severe turbulence and wind shear, which are hazardous during takeoff and landing.
Step-by-step explanation:
A potential hazard exists if a strong temperature inversion is encountered immediately after takeoff or during an approach to a landing because such an inversion can lead to a sudden encounter with poor visibility and unexpected weather conditions. In meteorology, a temperature inversion occurs when the normal temperature profile of the atmosphere is flipped, with warmer air above cooler air. This condition can trap air pollution and suppress convection, potentially leading to violent thunderstorms if the cap is broken. Furthermore, the inversion layer can cause severe turbulence and wind shear, which are significant hazards during the critical phases of flight such as takeoff and landing.