What atmospheric condition features cooler air at ground level with little to no vertical air movement?

The concept of a temperature inversion is key to understanding this atmospheric condition. During a temperature inversion, a layer of cooler air is trapped near the ground, while warmer air sits above it. This occurs when the normal temperature gradient of the atmosphere, where temperature decreases with altitude, is reversed.

In this scenario, vertical air movement is significantly diminished because the cooler air is denser and cannot rise through the warmer air above it. This lack of vertical mixing means pollutants and other particulates can accumulate close to the ground, potentially leading to poor air quality.

The other options do not encapsulate this specific atmospheric condition. For instance, wind shear refers to changes in wind speed or direction at different altitudes, rather than temperature differences. A humidity spike indicates an increase in moisture content, which does not inherently relate to temperature changes or vertical stability. A high-pressure system is generally associated with descending air, leading to clearer skies and can occasionally be linked to inversions but does not specifically describe the cooler air at the ground level with little air movement.