The temperature inversion that caused the Great Smog of London in 1952 was set up by an anticyclone. An anticyclone is a high-pressure system that brings calm, clear weather. In this case, the anticyclone led to a temperature inversion, where a layer of warm air sat over a layer of cold air. This situation trapped pollutants close to the ground, preventing them from dispersing.
The trapped pollutants, mainly from coal burning, combined with fog to create the thick smog that blanketed London. The lack of wind due to the anticyclone's influence exacerbated the situation by not allowing the smog to dissipate. As a result, the smog became so severe that it caused health issues and even led to thousands of deaths.
In summary, the anticyclone was the weather system responsible for setting up the temperature inversion that caused the Great Smog of London in 1952.
