Vapor swirls over water in spectacular weather phenomenon at Tianchi Lake

The strong winds at Tianchi Lake in the Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve, Jilin province, recently created a magnificent scene of vapor swirling over the water like a boiling pot.

According to experts from the Jilin Provincial Meteorological Observatory, the weather phenomenon is known as sea smoke. It occurs when the temperature drops sharply, causing water vapor to condense into mist that floats with the wind, forming what is known as evaporation fog.

When cold air passes over Changbai Mountain, it slides down the volcanic crater to the lake surface, creating a relatively thin layer of cold air.

Since the lake, located at the top of the volcanic cone of the main peak of Changbai Mountain, has not yet frozen over, the water surface temperature is slightly higher than the air temperature. When the water meets the cold air, it condenses into fog.

Both the water surface and the air are in motion, and since their movement is generally in the same direction, it creates a spectacular and dreamlike effect.

Video from the Integrated Media Center of Changbai Mountain