The 70s rock band, Deep Purple, went on tour in Switzerland in December of 1971 and witnessed a mesmerizing fire on Lake Geneva, flames and smoke consuming a nearby casino. Bass guitarist Roger Glover suddenly woke from a dream a few days later and referred to the smoke from the fire spreading over the lake, giving birth to their famous, hit song “Smoke on the Water.” And although the smoke was caused by fire in that instance, there is a natural phenomenon known as “smoke on the water” or “sea smoke.” And, it is just as mesmerizing.
So, what actually causes “smoke on the water?”
“Sea smoke,” also known as “frost smoke” or “steam fog,” is formed when very cold air moves over warmer water. It forms when a light wind of very cold air mixes with a shallow layer of saturated warm air immediately above the warmer water. The warmer air is cooled beyond the dew point and can no longer hold as much water vapor, so the excess condenses out. The effect is similar to the “steam” produced over a hot bath or a hot drink.
Sea smoke has a turbulent appearance and may form spiraling columns, which you will see in the following video taken in San Marcos, TX by Facebook.com/SMTXPhotos and
Facebook.com/TexasHillCountry. It’s a beautiful and mystifying phenomenon. This is what happens when temperatures start dropping in the Hill Country.
Reference:
en.wikipedia.org
![“Smoke on the Water” – When Temperatures Start Dropping [VIDEO]](https://texashillcountry.com/wp-content/uploads/“Smoke-on-the-Water”-–-When-Temperatures-Start-Dropping.jpg "“Smoke on the Water” – When Temperatures Start Dropping")
