steam fog


steam fog

[′stēm ‚fäg] (meteorology) Fog formed when water vapor is added to air which is much colder than the vapor's source; most commonly, when very cold air drifts across relatively warm water. Also known as frost smoke; sea mist; sea smoke; steam mist; water smoke.

steam fog

steam fogA type of fog that occurs on water surfaces and appears as steam or condensed water vapor. This type of fog is formed when very cold air passes across a warmer water surface and mixes with the warm air there. For the fog to occur, the temperature should be low—usually around the freezing point or lower—and there should be a marked inversion in the air before it moves over the water.