What is sea smoke on Lake Superior?

What is sea smoke on Lake Superior?

The frigid air mass on top of water about 30 degrees warmer condenses moisture in the air mass above the lake. The result is sea smoke, also called arctic sea smoke. Cold weather + Relatively warmer Lake Superior = Beautiful sea smoke at Canal Park! #

Why is it so foggy in Duluth?

“One of the reasons we get a lot of cloudy days in Duluth is simply because we’re next to Lake Superior,” said meteorologist Dan Miller with the National Weather Service in Duluth.

What causes smoke on the water?

That “smoke” actually is water vapor that forms when really cold air moves over relatively warmer water and the thin boundary layer of warm air just above the surface. When the evaporating water rises, the cold air can only hold so much moisture, forcing the liquid to condense into fog.

What is sea smoke and why does it occur?

So what is sea smoke? It’s essentially fog above the water. In order for this thick sea smoke to occur, you need cold air above relatively warm water. When wind mixes that cool air with the warm air immediately above the water moisture condenses into fog, or sea smoke.

Where does sea smoke come from?

When steam forms over an open body of water, it can create a dreamlike scene. This steam is known as sea smoke, and it occurs when cold air meets warm water. Sea smoke is essentially just fog above water, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Samuhel.

How does sea smoke work?

It forms when a light wind of very cold air mixes with a shallow layer of saturated warm air immediately above the warmer water. The warmer air is cooled beyond the dew point and can no longer hold as much water vapor, so the excess condenses out.

Has there ever been a tornado in Duluth MN?

Duluth area hit hard. June 19, 2016: Severe thunderstorms produced several tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail. The strongest tornado was an EF-2 in Crow Wing County and 4-inch diameter hail was reported.

How much snow does Duluth MN have?

Climate Averages

Duluth, Minnesota United States
Rainfall 31.2 in. 38.1 in.
Snowfall 69.5 in. 27.8 in.
Precipitation 117.3 days 106.2 days
Sunny 178 days 205 days

What is meant by sea smoke?

Definition of sea smoke : a fog in arctic regions produced in below-freezing air that lies over a warm sea surface.

What’s the difference between sea smoke and fog?

Sea smoke is essentially just fog above water, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Samuhel. The occurrence of sea smoke is similar to the steam that appears over a boiling pot of water or a hot bath.

Is sea smoke the same as fog?

This steam is known as sea smoke, and it occurs when cold air meets warm water. Sea smoke is essentially just fog above water, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Samuhel. The occurrence of sea smoke is similar to the steam that appears over a boiling pot of water or a hot bath.

What is steam from ice called?

This is known as “condensation”. In cold weather, your breath condenses into tiny droplets of liquid water and ice that you can see in the air as a cloud. the conversion of water from a gas into a liquid.