© Kristen Bobo
Cane Creek, Van Buren County, Tennessee, United States of America
Latitude: 35° 48' 42'' N
Longitude: 85° 26' 29'' W
05 September 2010 0807 (Local Time)
Image P/S code: S.11.3.5
Image I.D.: 5461
A steam devil rises above evaporation fog over a small river.
A steam devil is a small, gently whirling column of saturated air of varying height, with a small diameter and approximately vertical axis, that forms when cold air is over a relatively much warmer body of water or saturated surface. Steam devils are typically seen in association with evaporation fog (steam fog or Arctic sea smoke). They are typically about 1 m in diameter and several metres high.
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In this picture, several steam devil vortices are seen at 1, 2, 3 and 4 rising from evaporation fog over a small river. Steam devils are small, gently whirling columns of saturated air of varying height, with a small diameter and approximately vertical axis, that form when cold air is over a relatively much warmer body of water or saturated surface. Steam devils are typically seen in association with evaporation fog (steam fog or Arctic sea smoke). The vortices are about 1 m in diameter and several metres high.
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Evaporation fog is formed when cold, stable air moves over a much warmer body of water. Evaporation from the relatively warm water saturates the cold air above. Water vapour then condenses in the cold air, producing “steam fog”.
This picture shows evaporation fog, or steam fog, formed over the water of the Grand Union Canal at Harefield in southern England, UK. The air temperature over the surrounding countryside fell by the end of the night to around, or just above, 0 °C. There was mist in some places, but in general radiation fog did not form over fields. However, the evaporation from water surfaces such as streams, rivers and, in this case, canals provided the very localized saturation necessary to form fog.
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Evaporation fog is formed when cold, stable air moves over a much warmer body of water. Evaporation from the relatively warm water saturates the cold air above and water vapour condenses in the cold air, producing “steam fog”.
This picture shows steam fog, formed over the Grand Union Canal at Harefield in southern England, UK. The air temperature over the surrounding countryside fell by the end of the night to around, or just above, 0 °C. There was mist in some places, but in general radiation fog did not form over fields. However, the evaporation from water surfaces such as streams, rivers and, in this case, canals provided the very localized saturation necessary to form fog.
Links in the image description will highlight features on the image. Mouse over the features for more detail.