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Enjoy your stay Thanx for visiting |
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Enjoy your stay Thanx for visiting |
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~ Fog ~
Have you ever cycled or walked in the fog before ? It is really quite different and quite refreshing. Try it sometime during a really hot humid day or evening or drive down to the local lake or waterfront if you see evidence that fog is coming in. Don't forget to bring a bike, or if you wish, some comfortable walking shoes. It feels wonderful. It is natural air conditioning at its best and you really feel you can walk or ride for hours on end, effortlessly. I don't know what it is, but the fog is invigorating and it is healthy. It will not leave you hot, dry and covered with sweat and you will feel refreshed afterwards. It has a tremendous calming influence over you.
Fog is like a blanket of serenity which makes nature fall asleep. It is true. Look around and try to find any of your favourite wild animals (let's say squirrels) when the fog rolls in. If you notice very carefully, most of the animals that are out in the wild are nowhere to be found. They are most likely sleeping somewhere or they are scared of being exposed in the open because they cannot see well enough in the fog to feel safe or to have sufficient forewarning from their own natural or instinctive predators. Haven't you ever wondered why it is so quiet when it is foggy outside ? It is almost spooky sometimes, isn't it ? Well that's my explanation, even though it may be quite different.
Fog happens when there is a temperature inversion. Fog is really just low-flying clouds that haven't made up their mind yet. It is usually the result of warmer air meeting colder ground or colder air meeting warmer ground. A very easy concept to understand. There has to be a lot of moisture in the air at the time, but if the conditions are right, you will have fog. The more extreme the temperature difference, the more fog that will roll in. The more moisture in the air, the more dense the fog. Think about it. Fog usually comes in late at night or early in the morning when the temperature difference is at its extreme. If the sun is shining that day, the fog will "burn off". The temperature gradient is now gone and the skies will clear.
Fog seems to be a more regular occurrence near open bodies of water whether it be a lake or an ocean. The theory is that the temperature of the water and the air, right near the water, are basically the same, day in and day out. The natural temperature differences become more extreme when unstable hotter air is confronted with colder temperature water. It does make sense, that if there is an "onshore" breeze during one of these days, you will have fog for as long as the breeze lasts or as long as the temperature gradient lasts. That's why I suggest, watch near the lake or ocean for the occurrence of fog, especially on a hot, humid day. If there is a breeze coming "onshore", it'll be foggy.
One of the things about fog is that it is really very seductive. People always get worried when they drive in the fog because sometimes it is very thick and you can't see a thing. Fog is subtle though when you think about it. It rolls in very calmly and rolls out very calmly. That's how you should act when you encounter fog. Don't panic that you cannot see. Just slow down or adapt your pace so you can see comfortably through it. If it is really that thick that you can't see anything, then find a place to stay or turn back. It isn't worth your life to have an accident in the fog. You have absolutely no time to react. Think of all the "chain-reaction" accidents that have happened because of fog. These are the multiple car pile-ups we're talking about and usually there are a number of deaths. Why ? No reaction time and driving way too fast for the hazardous conditions. Fog lulls you to sleep..... just like it does to other animals. Your reaction time is reduced and your reaction capability is also reduced. This is danger waiting to happen. Mother Nature doesn't let her animals do it, so why should you ?
Just remember that fog is nothing more than nature's way of conditioning the air. It isn't something put in your way to inconvenience you. If you watch the weather and know some of the basics of weather and have an intuition of how it may react on land, you will be able to predict better when and where the fog will roll in (and when it will roll out). It also helps to know where you are going. Some areas are more prone to fog than others and it wouldn't hurt to plan ahead or even call ahead just to find out what the conditions are like. Major highways even post for fog-prone areas now. It is especially important in the summertime when you are travelling on vacation to be prepared for these kinds of driving conditions. Play it safe. Don't drive into the mountains on a hot humid summer's night. There will be fog near any source of water. Don't drive in the fog if you don't have to. Pull over to the side of the road or turn around if it is too thick. Go for a walk or ride your bicycle when it is foggy but remember to be safe. For added enjoyment bring your pet dog. They will love it too !
Pure and simple...
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- This Storyworx page updated May 10th, 1998 -