As a relatively new resident to Salt Lake City, I hadn't yet heard the term or known of the phenomenon "inversion" when one day I awoke thinking it was snowing outside, only to realize that it was not snowing but instead the local area was immersed in some sort of white, non-foggy haze.  I later learned that this is basically all of the pollution in the area being prevented from escaping upwards, because of pressure/wind barrier that is particular to parts of the world with specific geographies.  Rumor has it next time it snows, this "inversion" will lift.  It's been 2+ weeks without snow now, and everyone is starting to get antsy for a storm.  

I'm told that if I were to drive about 15 or 20 minutes up the mountains, I would clear the inversion and it would be a bright & sunny experience.  I would also be able to look down and see the smoggy cloud just sitting over the valley that is SLC.