Definition
A type of steam fog that forms when very cold air moves over warmer water. Water evaporating from the warmer surface immediately condenses in the cold air above, producing wisps or columns of fog that rise from the water like smoke.
Plain English
Fog that rises off warm water when freezing air blows across it, looking like smoke coming off the surface.
Context Anchor
Seen in weather discussions for coastal areas, large lakes, bays, and other water surfaces during cold conditions.
Derivation
Called 'sea smoke' because that's exactly what it looks like — smoke rising off the sea. The name is descriptive, not technical, and it stuck because it captures the appearance perfectly.
Why Pilots Care
It can form quickly and reduce visibility to near zero for seaplane or coastal operations, requiring pilots to anticipate sudden changes.
Analogy
It's the same effect you see when you exhale on a freezing winter morning, or when steam rises from a hot bath into a cold bathroom — warm moisture meeting cold air and instantly condensing into visible vapor.
Grounding Statement
Picture cold air flowing across warmer water and a low, white layer forming just above the surface.
Intuition Check
Sea smoke is not smoke from burning material. It is fog made of tiny water droplets forming over warmer water in cold air.
Example Sentence 1
On the cold winter morning, sea smoke drifted off the lake and reduced visibility along the shoreline approach.
Example Sentence 2
In winter, sea smoke can blanket harbors and force instrument approaches for aircraft arriving over open water.