LittauNet Daily Picture

©Copyright by Susan Savage

It's Been Cold, Cold, Cold - Temperature Inversions, King Salmon, Alaska

The above photograph was taken near King Salmon a few days ago. The temperature was -36 F. Steam exhaust coming from furnaces and vehicles resulted in enough waste heat to create a mirage.

This weather phenomenon is the result of a layer of warm air acting as a lid and holding a layer of cooler air down. It occurs when the temperature of the atmosphere is "inverted" from its normal state. Distant objects may seem to be stretched out or appear to be above the horizon. This sometimes eerie optical effect is also referred to as a "Fata Morgana" or "inversion mirage."

©Photo by Susan Savage with an Olympus Camedia C-700


It's Been Cold, Cold, Cold - Temperature Inversions, King Salmon, Alaska
The above photograph was taken near King Salmon a few days ago. The temperature was -36 F. Steam exhaust coming from furnaces and vehicles resulted in enough waste heat to create a mirage.
This weather phenomenon is the result of a layer of warm air acting as a lid and holding a layer of cooler air down. It occurs when the temperature of the atmosphere is "inverted" from its normal state. Distant objects may seem to be stretched out or appear to be above the horizon. This sometimes eerie optical effect is also referred to as a "Fata Morgana" or "inversion mirage."
©Photo by Susan Savage with an Olympus Camedia C-700