OLD RAG VIEW OVERLOOK, SKYLINE DRIVE, MILE 46.5 - Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Elevation 3,585 feet

A large mass of low lying clouds (dense fog) lying across the Virginia Piedmont at sunrise this morning. The Shenandoah Valley had some blankets of fog here and there but nothing compared to what the Piedmont had. To give you a sense of scale, there are mountains underneath that massive blanket of fog.

Although I only see this phenomena a few times a year, I never tire of it. It is so surreal, spectacular and amazing to see firsthand. This is the first time I've captured one with a decent sunrise on the horizon. Usually the sky is clear when this happens and the sun produces glaring white conditions.

Note: Old Rag Mountain is actually off to the left and out of the photo, I couldn't use it in the frame as the sunrise was too far to the right of it at this time of year.

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The meteorological definition of fog is a cloud (stratus) which has its cloud base on or close to ground.

More specifically, the term stratus is used to describe flat, hazy, featureless clouds of low altitude varying in color from dark gray to nearly white. These clouds are essentially above ground fog formed either through the lifting of morning fog or when cold air moves at low altitudes over a region.

To a large extent, the mountain causes fog. Moving air masses must rise to get over the mountain. As the air rises, it expands and cools; if the air is moist, cooling may cause moisture to precipitate as tiny droplets, and produce the clouds that we call fog.

Half a dozen times a year, an atmospheric inversion may produce a strange effect: fog lies like a soft white blanket on the Shenandoah Valley and the Piedmont, while the mountaintop is clear. Then you can look down on a "fog ocean," with the lower peaks rising above it like islands.
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HDR -- 3 brackets from a single RAW (-2 | 0 | +2) merged and tone mapped.

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Tags:   low clouds fog shenandoah national park skyline drive virginia fog bank piedmont dense fog Just Clouds

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A 'fog ocean' of low lying clouds in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia

A leftover from my fog bank shots taken back in April (hence the vibrant Spring greenery), as seen from an overlook in the South District of Shenandoah National Park.

The meteorological definition of fog is a cloud (stratus) which has its cloud base on or close to ground.

More specifically, the term stratus is used to describe flat, hazy, featureless clouds of low altitude varying in color from dark gray to nearly white. These clouds are essentially above ground fog formed either through the lifting of morning fog or when cold air moves at low altitudes over a region.

To a large extent, the mountain causes fog. Moving air masses must rise to get over the mountain. As the air rises, it expands and cools; if the air is moist, cooling may cause moisture to precipitate as tiny droplets, and produce the clouds that we call fog.

Half a dozen times a year, an atmospheric inversion may produce a strange effect: fog lies like a soft white blanket on the Shenandoah Valley and the Piedmont, while the mountaintop is clear. Then you can look down on a "fog ocean," with the lower peaks rising above it like islands.

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To truly appreciate the magnitude of a massive fog system like this is to see it firsthand. I captured some video footage because sometimes photos don't do justice - check out these 2 video clips (hand held) on YouTube if you have a spare moment.

Video Clip 1

Video Clip 2
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HDR -- 3 brackets (-2 | 0 | +2) merged and tone mapped.

THANKS FOR VIEWING!

Tags:   fog low clouds Shenandoah National Park Shenandoah Valley Virginia stratus fog bank Just Clouds

© All Rights Reserved

Low Lying Clouds - Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Dense fog laying in the Virginia Peidmont at daybreak, as seen from the South River Overlook at Shenandoah National Park. Elevation 2,950 feet at mile 62.7 along Skyline Drive. Also referred to as 'fog oceans' or 'sea of clouds'.

A few splashes of Spring colors are also visible here, a sight not usually seen in the higher elevations until late April. The mountains are awakening from their Winter slumber early due to this recent wave of warm weather across Virginia.

3 brackets (-2 | 0 | +2) merged and lightly tone mapped, no crop

I uploaded this photo at 700px width and it sure looks scrunched in the placeholder above - view it larger in the lightbox.

THANKS FOR VIEWING!

Tags:   Low Lying Clouds dense fog virginia piedmont South River Overlook Shenandoah National Park Just Clouds

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A 'fog ocean' of low lying clouds at Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

e·the·re·al
adj.
1. characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; intangible.
2. extremely delicate or refined; exquisite.
3. of heaven or the spirit; celestial peace.

To be in the presence of such an incredible natural phenomenon as this is truly a surreal experience. It is nothing short of awesome to the 10th power.

Half a dozen times a year, an atmospheric inversion may produce a strange effect: fog lies like a soft white blanket on the Shenandoah Valley and the Piedmont, while the mountaintop is clear. Then you can look down on a "fog ocean," while the higher mountain peaks rise above it like islands (see first photo below).

To truly appreciate the magnitude of a massive fog system like this is to see it firsthand. I captured some video footage because sometimes photos just don't do justice - check out my video clips on YouTube if you have a spare moment.

The mountains that are most visible above are a section of the Massanutten Mountain Range, and are partially submerged in this huge mass of fog. Many other peaks are totally submerged in this view.

I uploaded this one far larger than my norm - please view it large in the lightbox

3 exposure brackets (-2 ev, 0 ev, +2 ev) - merged and lightly tonemapped in Photomatix Pro

THANKS FOR VIEWING!

Tags:   fog low lying clouds Shenandoah National Park Virginia Just Clouds

© All Rights Reserved

EXPLORED September 25th, 2011

A 'Fog Ocean' View From Blackrock Summit (Central District), Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

3 bracket shots - merged and lightly tonemapped in Photomatix Pro

The meteorological definition of fog is a cloud (stratus) which has its cloud base on or close to ground.

More specifically, the term stratus is used to describe flat, hazy, featureless clouds of low altitude varying in color from dark gray to nearly white. These clouds are essentially above ground fog formed either through the lifting of morning fog or when cold air moves at low altitudes over a region.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To truly appreciate the magnitude of a massive fog system like this is to see it firsthand. I captured some video footage because sometimes photos don't do justice - check out the video clips on YouTube if you have a spare minute.

Video Clip 1

Video Clip 2
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THANKS FOR VIEWING!

Tags:   fog low lying clouds stratus Shenandoah National Park Virginia NaturesFinest Just Clouds

© All Rights Reserved