Which of the following is true about temperature inversions?

Temperature inversions occur when a layer of warm air traps cooler air near the surface of the Earth. This phenomenon leads to a stability in the atmosphere that can effectively trap pollutants, such as smog and particulate matter, close to the ground. As a result, during an inversion, the usual vertical mixing of air that helps disperse pollutants is inhibited, leading to increased concentration of these harmful substances in the lower atmosphere.

The other options do not accurately represent the nature of temperature inversions. They can occur during different seasons, not just in summer. While inversions can be associated with warmer air above cooler air, they do not always lead to an overall rise in temperatures; instead, they can sometimes result in cooler surface conditions. Additionally, inversions tend to suppress wind patterns rather than increase them, creating a calm atmosphere that can exacerbate pollution issues.