BRRRRR - Sea Smoke

Fog in winter, definitely, but it is usually called sea smoke, sea vapour, vapour, ice fog, steam fog and probably several others. The condition occurs when the air temperature is lower than the water temperature and the water evaporating from the ocean surface can’t be absorbed by the cold air (cold air holds less moisture than warm air) and accumulates in droplets that create fog, often sen in convective currents or wispy tendrils. If the air temperature is significantly colder than the sea surface temperature, the sea smoke can be so dense that as it rises, it can create cloud cover and fine snow.

Grand Manan Adventure ferry in sea smoke

These conditions will cause the fog detector to start the fog horn because of the limited visibility. It is also an excellent warning to mariners that sea water hitting their vessels may freeze instantly, accumulating enough that it can compromise the stability of the vessel. Chipping ice can reduce the top heaviness of the vessel but is labour intensive and not all areas can be reached safely on a vessel. Freezing spray warnings are issued when these conditions are likely.  In any event, the air temperature will be very cold and if windy as well, the wind chill can be significant and frost bite may be an issue.

Sea smoke can be incredibly complex and amazing to photograph. Here are a few taken on January 3.

Swallow Tail lighthouse with sea smoke.

Swallow Tail peninsula and the Grand Manan Adventure ferry with wispy sea smoke.

Swallow Tail lighthouse and the Grand Manan Adventure ferry.

Just one more day left in this first decade of the twenty-first century. It has turned cold today , -14C, after being 8C just a couple of days ago and 1C yesterday. It also feels colder because of the strong NW wind which has been rattling our house all night. Looking toward Swallowtail this morning, the sea smoke or ice fog or as it is called locally, vapour, is being pushed up and over the lighthouse. The windows in the lantern are frosted over giving a soft glow to the light.

Here is a short video of Pettes Cove and Swallowtail with the sea smoke being blown over the surface. The top poles of Cora Belle weir can seen in the sea smoke.

What a chilly day it would be to be a lightkeeper at Swallowtail, having to walk from the keepers house to the light tower and back. It is quite evident on days like this why there was a board walk with a railing connecting these two buildings. It would be easy to get blown off the path and add blinding snow, get lost on this short walk.

The automated light today keeps working for the most part with little maintenance, although no one is keeping heat on in the tower to keep the windows free of frost there are few on the water these days looking for the guiding light.

Sea smoke, ice fog or vapour surrounding the top poles of the Cora Belle weir in Pettes Cove.

Sea smoke, ice fog or vapour forming on the surface in Pettes Cove.

Icicles from water runoff on the cliffs near Swallowtail.

Icicles on rocks near foot bridge leading to Swallowtail.