Fog or Clouds

What's the difference between fog and clouds?

The Niesen trying to poke out.

"Clouds and fog both form when water vapor condenses or freezes to form tiny droplets or crystals in the air, but clouds can form at many different altitudes while fog only forms near the ground."

"Both fog and clouds are formed when water vapor condenses or freezes to form tiny droplets or crystals in the air. So why are they two different things?"

Fog forms only at low altitudes.

"Clouds can form at many different altitudes. They can be as high as 12 miles above sea level or as low as the ground. Fog is a kind of cloud that touches the ground. Fog forms when the air near the ground cools enough to turn its water vapor into liquid water or ice."

"There are many different types of fog, too. Ice fog forms when the air near the ground is cold enough to turn the water in fog into ice crystals. Ice fog forms only at extremely cold temperatures. Ice fog is common in parts of Alaska and Canada."

"Another kind of fog is freezing fog. Ice crystals form in the air when it’s cold enough and particles like dust or smoke in the air provide a “seed” for the ice crystal to form around. Sometimes it is cold enough, but the air does not have any particles. In this case, water in the air becomes “supercooled.” This supercooled water is a liquid, but it is colder than the freezing point (32ºF). When it comes into contact with cold surfaces such as roads and sidewalks, it instantly forms a dangerous icy layer."

"One of the most troubling kinds of fog is called “super fog.” Super fog forms when smoke from wildfires and water vapor come together to form an extremely dense fog. The smoke provides particles for the water vapor to condense around. This combination of smoke and water vapor is a dangerous one. A super fog is so dense that you would not be able to see your own hand in front of your face. Superfogs create very hazardous driving conditions."

Fog can be a big problem for humans, especially when we have to drive or fly through it.

How can we prepare for fog?

"Thousands of driving accidents happen each year because of fog. Fog also creates trouble for air travelers. Foggy conditions create dangerous flying conditions and can delay or cancel flights.

Pilots and drivers can get some help from space, though. Two types of satellites from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) monitor fog from high in the sky. The first is called a geostationary satellite. These satellites orbit Earth in the same exact time that it takes for Earth to make a full rotation. Orbiting Earth in such a way allows the satellite to hover over one location, providing a bird's eye view."

"The second kind is a polar satellite. The orbits of these satellites cross over each of the poles. Earth rotates under these satellites as they make the trip from pole to pole. Because the Earth rotates while the satellite makes its orbit, it is able to see nearly every part of Earth’s surface.

NOAA is developing a new generation of geostationary and polar satellites. These satellites will be able to take very high-resolution photos of clouds and fogs. This information can tell pilots or drivers where to expect fog, and can help save lives."

It is another foggy, cloudy, rainy kind of day.

This morning at breakfast, I started to jot down some reactions I had about the fog and clouds.

Swiss Alpen Fog

The Jungfrau peeks out as the sun rises. The fog lifts up to kiss the clouds coming down. A little break sees the snow capped mountain peeking through. But.... .the clouds swoop down to reclaim their place.

Back in 2021 while staying in room 9 of the main chalet, I had this reaction to the rain we were having.

Swirls of smoke are coming from some chimneys. The silent construction cranes have their red detection lights still on. I can hardly make out the shapes of the close mountains at the beginning of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. You would never know Männlichen and the Jungfrau were hidden behind. The sound of rain hitting different objects is unique. Rain hitting metal is so different from rain hitting tree leaves or our umbrellas.The koi are the only ones whom seem active. They keep near the surface hoping the drops of rain hitting the water are food.

Went to Spiez today to do a little shopping. Had to do some "Swiss walking" (walking very very quickly) in order to catch the boat.

Walked by the Spiezer Winery tasting and sales room and the castle.

We boarded the Berner Oberland for the trip back to Interlaken. Some people boarded the boat in Thun. What a pleasant way to spend a rainy day. The Berner Oberland is quite a splendid boat.

Some people were eating a meal; some were playing cards and dominoes; while some people just enjoyed the scenery.

It was a chill to the bone type of day.

To get the chill off, Michael and I both had the cream of pumpkin soup with ginger, honey, and pumpkin seeds. Delicious, filling, and warming!!!!

Some of the sights along the way.

Beatus Wellness and Spa Hotel

"Sunbathe on the sandy beach and swim in the saltwater – enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle against an Alpine backdrop. At the Hotel BEATUS, you'll find the longest lakefront of any hotel in Switzerland. Swim in our indoor pool, cool off in Lake Thun, and relax in any weather in the 35 C (95 F) degree outdoor saltwater pool."

The St. Beatus caves are among the 10 largest caves in Switzerland and, in addition to the Hölloch in the Muota Valley, are one of the few that are publicly accessible. The widely branched cave system has so far been explored on 14 kilometers, of which one kilometer is secured for visitors. The tour leads over a difference in altitude of 87 meters and a total of 297 steps along caves, halls and canyons as well as streams, waterfalls and huge drip stone information.

The hot tub is heated by firewood.

Our last shopping stop was to see Gaby and Felix. Gaby was carving this to go to the St. Beatus caves.

I also picked up my 2025 Harderpotschete Mäskeli (mask which drives away the evil spirits of the old year.). Wish we could ship to the U.S.

I have a whole collection of these "yearly masks" by my front door. No evil spirits allowed in my house! I believe Gaby told me she will carve around 600 of these for 2026. The prototype is done already.

Gaby gave me a good luck mushroom, too.

The red-capped, white-speckled mushrooms associated with good luck are known as Amanita muscaria, or the fly agaric. These fungi, called the "Glückspilz" or "lucky mushroom" in German-speaking countries, have long been a symbol of good fortune and are exchanged as gifts, often during the Christmas season.

You’re probably familiar with the Christmas pickle tradition: On Christmas Eve, someone hides a pickle ornament on the tree. Whoever is the first to find it is believed to either receive an extra gift from St. Nicholas in the morning (if a child finds it) or have good luck for the coming year (if an adult finds it). But it turns out pickles aren’t the only accessories that bring good fortune: The Christmas mushroom may have equally positive powers.

"Known in German as glücklicher pilz or gluckspilz (which literally means “lucky mushroom”), the red-and-white speckled fungi grow deep in the forest. Its real name is Amanita muscaria or fly agaric, and finding one is thought to be a sign of good luck, similar to the way the Irish view four-leaf clovers. That’s because the roots of this specific mushroom can only grow in the root zones of certain types of trees, which happen to be those we generally think of as Christmas trees."

"The mushrooms are also common around the holiday season because that tends to be when mushrooms are foraged in the wild. These days, most of us buy mushrooms at grocery stores rather than foraging for them. But the tradition of gifting mushrooms and mushroom imagery has stuck around, especially for those of German, Austrian or Slavic descent who still exchange the pretty red-and-white fungi at Christmastime (often in the form of cards or other trinkets)."

Even though it was a cold rainy day, we had so much fun!