Posted in Maine February 18, 2018 by

The Natural Phenomenon In Maine That Only Happens During Wintertime

Maine winters are tough. Nobody knows that more than Mainers. If you lived through the first few weeks of this year without packing it in and moving to Florida, we commend you. But, we also know that there are plenty of reasons to stick around! From the fun things to do in the winter to the promise of spring in just a few months, it’s not all THAT bad. But, if you need another reason, consider the sea smoke! This incredible dose of natural beauty only happens in the winter, so maybe we should be crossing our fingers for even colder temps!

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
The first few weeks of the year saw some of the coldest temps we've seen in years, but that doesn't mean winter is ALL bad.
dennisredfield / Flickr
Those who ventured outside were lucky enough to see one of the most incredible natural wonders in Maine.
third-stone / Flickr
It might look like simple fog, but this is actually referred to as "sea smoke" and it's a staple for coastal Mainers on very cold days.
waynesphotos / Flickr
It's also sometimes referred to as, "steam smoke" or "frost smoke."
michaelcr / Flickr
This beauty only occurs when very cold air moves over warmer water.
pavdw / Flickr
In the Gulf of Maine, the sea surface during the winter is usually around 30.
dana_moos / Flickr
Sea smoke is mostly likely be seen when the air dips below 10 degrees.
michaelcr / Flickr
The colder the air above the water, the more condensation and the more dramatic the sea smoke!
dana_moos / Flickr
The best time to see this beautiful display is early in the morning before the air has a chance to warm up. Or, you can simply watch the video below and pretend you braved the cold!
drcheryl / Flickr

Not all that happy about winter in Maine? Check out these 11 things that nobody ever tells you about getting through a Maine winter!