SAN DIEGO — “Interesting wave-like fog formations” were captured hovering over the Anza-Borrego Desert floor Tuesday, said local photographer Sicco Rood.
“When we say the atmosphere is a fluid, this is what we mean,” meteorologists with the National Weather Service explained in reference to the captures.
The formations are known as radiation fog. This occurs when energy is emitted from the ground at night, cooling the surface, said NWS. After a rainy day on Monday in the desert, the wet desert floor helped to create the rolling low-lying clouds.
Radiation fog is a very common throughout the U.S Weather experts have said it’s most prevalent during the fall and winter months. Sheltered valleys are the most favored areas for fog development, where there is little to no wind. The Anza-Borrego Desert floor provided just that.
Another winter storm is likely to sweep the region come midweek, according to NWS predictions. Widespread rain chances are increasing.