A temperature inversion occurs when:

A temperature inversion occurs when air temperature increases with altitude, which is the hallmark of this meteorological phenomenon. Under normal circumstances, air temperature generally decreases as altitude increases; however, during a temperature inversion, a layer of warm air traps cooler air beneath it at lower altitudes. This situation can lead to poor air quality and visibility since pollutants and particulates can become trapped in the cooler air near the ground. Understanding this concept is important for drone operators, as inversions can affect flight safety and the performance of unmanned aircraft.