Temperature inversions are considered a phenomenon contributing to an increase in the concentration of air pollutants. The goal of the study is to determine the impact of the temperature inversions on particulate matter PM 10 and sulfur dioxide concentrations in small towns located in the basins of the Polish Carpathians, i.e. Jaslo, Zakopane, and Zywiec. The measuring series of stations located in cities with a far greater degree of urbanization, i.e. Krakow, Nowy Sacz and Przemysl, were used comparatively. The study covers an analysis of two heavy air pollution episodes that occurred in January 2016. According to the obtained results, the persistence of the strong episodes of high concentrations of particulate matter PM 10 and SO₂ was associated with the influence of extensive high pressure systems favourable to the slow sinking of air particles. Their long-term persistence led to the development of subsidence inversion in the lower and middle troposphere and also, at night, radiation inversions enhanced by katabatic winds of cool air. The increase in the concentration of the particulate matter PM 10 and sulphur dioxide was also supported by the location in the vicinity of the single-family houses heated mainly by combustion of low quality coal (e.g. Nowy Sacz, Zakopane, Zywiec). Despite a much larger population and a greater degree of urbanization, the values of the discussed air pollutants recorded in Krakow and Przemysl were comparable to, or even lower than in much smaller towns located in the Carpathian basins.