Down along the Missouri River this morning, dense, patchy fog shrouded much of its Valley. While scenic, this atmospheric phenomenon is also an early sign of the coming autumn.
As the nights lengthen, early morning temperatures fall and the coolest air sinks into the stream and river valleys. Overlying the warm land and river water, the chilly air reaches its dew point and fog develops; of course rising steam from the river also facilitates this process.
Indeed, while most of us relish the cool, sunny, dry weather of autumn, valley fog is also characteristic of the season. This morning's display was just another sign that summer's brutal grip on the Heartland is beginning to loosen.
