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JR Hott / Panhandle Helicopter
Panama City Beach, Florida -- Fog rolls up along the shore of Panama City Beach, Florida on Feb. 5th, 2012.
JR Hott / Panhandle Helicopter
Panama City Beach, Florida -- Fog rolls up along the shore of Panama City Beach, Florida on Feb. 5th, 2012.
Helicopter pilot Mike Schaeffer was wrapping up a tour when he spotted this incredible weather phenomenon along the coast of Panama City Beach, Fl. on Sunday. As soon as he landed, he alerted Panhandle Helicopter owner JR Hott of the "cloud form waves," and together they went up for a better view. They moved quickly knowing that it is only in very specific weather conditions that this beautiful effect occurs. While the online community has dubbed this a "cloud tsunami," Hott disagrees with the popular moniker:
I wouldn't call it a "cloud tsunami." The term tsunami implies a natural disaster. The event, while it can form quickly, moves gently and slowly. It isn't something that happens with more than a gentle breeze.
While the images appear non-threatening and peaceful, as an experienced pilot, Hott has been trained to treat all fog and clouds as if they are solid objects. He and Schaeffer were very careful approaching in the air to get a better view. Fortunately, because of the location of the condos, they were able to approach the cloud waves from the side and did not place themselves in the direct path of the fog.
JR Hott / Panhandle Helicopter
Panama City Beach, Florida -- Fog rolls up along the shore of Panama City Beach, Florida on Feb. 5th, 2012.
JR Hott / Panhandle Helicopter
Panama City Beach, Florida -- Fog rolls up along the shore of Panama City Beach, Florida on Feb. 5th, 2012.
Meteorologist Dan Satterfield explains this occurrence on his blog:
Cool air offshore was very nearly at the saturation point, with a temperature near 20ºC and a dew point of about 19.5ºC. The air at this temperature can only hold a certain amount of water vapor, and how much it can hold depends heavily on the temperature. If you add more water into the air, a cloud will form, but you can also get a cloud to form by cooling the air. Drop the temperature, and it can no long hold as much water vapor, so some of it will condense out and a cloud will form.
Hott will see this happen a couple times a year, but Sunday's visibility was especially clear and he was able to make all these pictures in only five minutes! He is more amazed at the attention his pictures are getting, rather than with the event itself. "This is not so much a study in photography, but a study in how something can go viral," he said. Hott posted the photos to his company's Facebook page and suddenly he was getting requests for the pictures from all over the world. He is happy with the attention, hoping it inspires some to take a tour with him along the coastline.
For more incredible and surreal weather photos see:
JR Hott / Panhandle Helicopter
Panama City Beach, Florida -- Fog rolls up along the shore of Panama City Beach, Florida on Feb. 5th, 2012.
Leave a Comment:
maybe aa nice warning of what one might look like hiting for real
YES!! We finally made it into the news for something other than Hurricanes and Spring Break!
Floridians are also known for our weirdness.
*waiting for the grammar police*
must be some old farts commenting...complaining about everything. die already!
YES!! We finally made it into the news for something other than Hurricanes and Spring Break!
Artistically, to me, it says " ... hey, we'll knock this sh!t over whenever we want."
You know, I really enjoyed these beautiful pictures until I got to the comments and read all the not-so-beautiful statements. You guys certainly have the right to your opinions, but I have to wonder where all this anger and cynicism (and complaining when it has nothing to do with you) is coming from! It can't be very healthy for you. Well, I'm going to enjoy the pictures anyway.
We are getting closer to the end of the world....I believe.
Ancient Aliens my peeps. Their here. Yerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrp
Okay, now your tripping.
I miss the panhandle and the girls I knew:(
The salt it aint thin it will stick right to your skin. Makes you feel fine. "Jimmy Buffett"
This has to be an omen of something far greater to happen.
Puts you in mind of the movie 2012, when the giant wall of water rolls into New York City, only this is fog. Just look at how puny we, as humans are to nature. And to think when mankind tries to rise up against and do battle with Christ. Like a nat under a thumb, we are. Glory be to God! Forever and ever!
In other words 'mother nature bats last'...
Just a fantastic sequence of photos; they're a must see.
Nice mention of the hazards of fog and how the pilots took extra precautions to get these pictures. Anyone who happened to be on the ground behind a windshield and unfamiliar with this phenomenon was probably bewildered by this fog bank and where it came from. The fog definitely looks thick enough in some locations to be considered a driving hazard.
it probably is Obomba's fault since he's blowing smoke up america's a**!
Or maybe it's your fault for sticking your mouth on everyones @!$%# and sucking all of that smoke out. I dunno, just maybe?!?!
Okay; that's the coolest thing ever!!
This is so awesome. I wonder what it looked like from window in the high rise.
here comes the pirates runnnnnnnnn!!!
Nature is amazing!! What is more amazing is the fact that the photographers were able to capture those views! I love them! Better yet, I am grateful that nothing bad happened to the people in those areas...
Fantastic!! gorgeous pictures...
The pictures are beautiful, and well taken, but I don't think it should be called "cloud tsunami".
A tsunami is a large wave or group of waves that can devastate coastal area caused by the displacement of a large amount of water in the ocean.
It was alarming; I thought I was going to read about a devastation.......... thank goodness it is only a misty cloud. I have to agree it is awesome, and apparently doesn't come by very often.
I live here and there are 17 miles of beaches. Not all are covered with condo's and there are areas with a direct view of the incredibly white sand and tealish waters. Spring breakers have calmed down quite a bit as PCB is trying to make it a year round vacation destination as well as for the breakers safety. Yes the snow birds come in the winter, spring breakers in spring, and families from about May - Oct. I moved here from Virginia Beach and there is no comparison!! PCB has the most beautiful sugary white sand, clean, clear water, & miles of beaches, best in the US. We have a lot of fog here but these pictures are outstanding. True though about the rest of the area not having tall buildings. Short ones hold up better in hurricanes, LOL.
Side effects from thousands of gallons of dispersants from BP.
just admire the photos and be happy it is not a real wave but a fog/cloud or whatever.
Go outside more and you will see
WOW, so cool....... Great photography!!!! Thank You!