It’s a scene that’s seemingly common, something that JR Hott has seen many times when he’s flying his Panhandle Helicopter.  Meteorologically, it’s a pretty normal event,  but the result in these photos was captured just right, at just the right time.  Just a little later or a bit earlier, and these photos would have never happened.

Last Sunday, Hott went for a flight with his lead captain and fired off some very interesting pictures. The pictures seemed to capture waves of fog flowing over the gulf front condos in Panama City Beach, specifically, Celadon and Splash Resort and several others on the western end of Panama City Beach.

Jason Koertge has an awesome vacation rental business in Panama City Beach that focuses on remarkable properties right on the gulf.  They range from 1 to 4 bedrooms, they’re clean, and amazing.  He can be found lurking at PCBLP.com.

Hott said, reflecting on his thoughts before he posted the original image to his Facebook page, “Eh, these look pretty cool, I thought, maybe I’ll post them to my page. . .  When we started seeing the Likes and Shares come through, we were dumbfounded. . .  We never expected this.”

The pictures.

What’s really happening in the pictures.

As explained to me by the Panhandle Helicopter guys, when the air temperature, dew point and water temperature are all about the same, a fog is created.  Add a slight breeze from off the gulf and that fog will envelope the structures on the beach.  If it’s just a little too windy, the fog won’t form.

Meteorologist Dan Satterfield describes the process on his blog:

“Cool air offshore was very nearly at the saturation point, with a temperature near 20ºC and a dew point of about 19.5 degrees C. 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. 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.

“In this case, the air was cooled by lifting it about 50 meters over the top of the condos,” Satterfield continues. “A parcel of unsaturated air will cool when lifted at a rate of 1 degree C per 100 meters. In this case, it probably cooled about 0.5 degrees C, but that was all it took! On the back side of the condos, the air slowly sinks back down and warms at the same rate. As it warms the air can hold more water vapor and the cloud evaporates and disappears!”

The pictures were taken on Sunday, February 5 at 12:40 pm, and the main shots are picturing Celadon and Splash Resort with a variety of other resorts in the shot as well, including Tidewater, Tropic Winds, and Emerald Isle.

The virility of a picture.

Sure, there are talented people that have nailed the creation of viral content over and over, but a large part of creating viral content just really can’t be predicted.  A number of anomalies have to occur and fall into place just right to create that viral spread.

In this case, the photo was capturing something that happens on a regular basis, but the shot was captured from a vantage point that is not so regular. We see fog all the time, but we see it from the ground.  Seeing it from the air is very unique and rare, especially since helicopters can’t take off in foggy conditions.  However, with this situation, the fog was not impacting their landing/take-off location and they were able to get in the air.

The fog seems to be taking over the condos in massive waves, and everything blends together to create a neat, viral package.

So, just how viral is this?

Hott has said he’s literally seen his picture on sites around the world.  Spain, Mexico, Peru, Thailand, England, and Russia just to name a few.  The pictures have shown up on sites like weather.com, cnn.com, tntmagazine.com, huffingtonpost.com and news.discovery.com.  There is a YouTube video from CNN that has over a half million views.

Looking at the Facebook Insights, the original image has over 15,000 people who have interacted with it by either sharing, liking or commenting on it.  Bringing the analytics a little further, according to Facebook, the image as “reached” over 33,000 people.

Their Facebook page, last Saturday had just over 1,050 Likes. As of this post, they had just over 2,500 with over 3,500 people “talking about” them.

What are you thoughts on these pictures?

Tropical Storm Lee has been affecting us for days, but today we had our first tropical system winds.  There was a bit of storm surge and gusts up to 75 mph.

Video

Pictures

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Head for the parks, the beaches or someone’s inflatable pool this weekend because the temps are heating up and the skies are begging you to get out of the house.

If you don’t have a legitimate reason to leave the house, make one up. Practice the fine art of Garden Gnome Liberation (preferably not your neighbors please), pretend to get lost en route to the Grocery store, or simply do what my Mom used to do to me as a kid. Offer up two options and let the family decide. My Mom’s tactic was “Play outside or Take out the trash” and with that, off to the great outdoors we went!

Weather For March 23-27

Wednesday, March 23: Partly Cloudy, highs hovering at 79. Lows around 59.  Looks like the weather is having an issue committing to round numbers.

Thursday, March 24: Partly Cloudy, highs around 80. Lows drop to about 47. Well, guess the weather sorted out some issues.

Friday, March 25: Hello Sunshine! Sunny, highs about 78, and look for lows around 58.

Saturday, March 26: Partly Cloudy, highs back to 79, with lows in at 60.

Sunday, March 27: Isolated Thunderstorms, highs about 79. Lows in the mid-50′s.

*Since Monday breaks the 80 degree mark, here’s a bonus weather round (waiittt for it)

Monday, March 28: Some showers, precipitation only around 30%. Highs about 81, lows again in the mid-50′s.

TA-DA! Our big finale, ladies and gentleman! 81 Degrees! Time to shimmy in celebration *dances off screen*

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The weather this weekend is the kind we dream of during those cold winter months, and sadly, I’m that “annoying” friend who calls my longtime girlfriends up North and rubs it in.

I’m not proud, I’m just ….. enthusiastic.

Yeah, that’s it.

Weekend Weather March 17-20

Thursday, March 17: Sunny with highs around 79 and lows at about 49.

Friday, March 18: Sunny, with highs around 78 and lows around 47.

Saturday, March 19: Sunny AGAIN with highs at 78 and lows in at 49.

Sunday, March 20: Sunny and 79, with lows around 52.

Ohhhh, how hard it is to be us right now, with our sunny skies and delicious cocoa-brown tans!

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The weather looks like it’s going to be a little cooler then it has been lately, but it’s still mostly sunny and clear.

Wednesday, March 9:

Stormy. In fact, as of this moment, it looks like the Apocalypse is brewing outside. 80% chance of rain, highs around 72. Nice temperature, crummy atmosphere.

Thursday, March 10:

Sunny, with highs around 62. Lows around 38.

Friday, March 11:

Sunny with a high of 65, and lows in the 40′s.

Saturday, March 12:

Sunny with highs around 71 and lows are in the high 40′s.

Sunday, March 13:

Mostly Sunny, highs about 73 and lows sneaking in at 48.

Overall, it’s a little cooler this week, but just bring a sweater and you’ll be fine.

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Well, Spring is officially here and by all means,  ask me how I know this. Go on, ask.

My reasoning behind that bold claim, is that  you can always tell when spring has arrived through this single, tell-tale sign.

There’s a gradual influx of college kids making out on the beach and an entire village of lizards mating on my porch.

If that doesn’t scream Spring Season, then I don’t know what does.

Weekend Weather for March 3-6

Thursday, March 3: Sunshine. Highs around 73, with lows in the 50’s.

Friday, March 4: Mix of sun and clouds, with day time highs reaching 75’s and nights cooling off at about 52.

Saturday, March 5: Some clouds passing through. Highs around 76 with lows creeping in at about 49.

Sunday, March 6: Morning clouds with afternoon sun. Highs in the mid 60’s and lows in the upper 30’s.

Overall, you’ve got to admit that’s one good looking forecast.

Except for Mr. Sunday with his slightly cooler attitude. He can’t come to our party anymore.

Obviously, he didn’t get the Warm Weather Only memo.

*Update: Saturday jumped up to a 70% chance of rain.

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The temperatures have been steadily climbing, and people have been creeping out from their winter doldrums, right and left.

It’s funny how most of the nation relies on a groundhog to tell them that spring is around the corner, where as, us beach folks utilize a slightly different approach.

For me, my spidey-senses start tingling with the incessant urge to go bathing suit shopping, while my Husband can sense spring is in the air by a sudden, overwhelming desire to buy a boat.

Regardless of what sign you’re own family uses as the Ear-Mark Of Spring, we can rest assured that we’ve got plenty of good-looking days ahead of us.

Granted, to keep us humble, the Skies tossed in some clouds and a few rainstorms here and there, but we can feel good about giving kudos to Mr. Ground Hog, The Boat Sign, or The Bikini Urge for being on the money!*

Weather Below

Thursday, Feb 24:

Few clouds, with highs around 72 and lows in the mid 50’s

Friday, Feb 25:

Scattered thunderstorms possible. Highs in the low 70’s with lows in the upper 40’s

Saturday, Feb 26:

Moments of sun & clouds (wow, that covered a lot of ground, eh?) Highs in the low 70’s with lows hanging around the upper 40’s

Sunday, Feb 27:

Some clouds, with highs around 73 and again, lows in the upper 40’s.

Monday, Feb 28:

Chance of showers and then guess what? Highs in the low 70’s with lows in the upper 40’s.

I’m sensing a weather theme playing out here, but as long as the sun comes out to play and brings along it’s buddy, Low 70’s, it’s safe to say we’ll be smiling a collective grin.

* Possibly the cheesiest line I’ve ever written. In fact, Chester Cheeto just nodded in agreement and that’s when you know that’s some kind of cheesy.

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The clear skies and warmer weather in our future,  is sure to bring about a sudden influx in creative excuses, justifications and reasons why we simply can’t be indoors anymore.

If you find yourself running low in the creativity department, let me help. Here’s an actual excuse someone once used to call into work sick:

“One of those flying carp fish smacked me in the side of my head and now I got a ear infection.”

Now that you’re armed with a creative (albeit useless) excuse to try and avoid the cubicle in lieu of the beach, let’s talk about what’s going on in those skies of ours, that calls for such drastic antics.

Feb 17, Thursday

Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the upper 60s and lows in the upper 40s.

Feb 18, Friday

Abundant sunshine. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 50s. Did you see that?? Abundant sunshine, people. Highs in the low 70s.

Feb 19, Saturday

Plenty of sun. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the upper 40s.

Feb 20, Sunday

Mainly sunny. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the mid 40s.

Panama City Beach CVB to showcase its sunny weather and sugar-white sand beaches to national media via Skype!

CVB officials are hosting a video conference via Skype for national media in New York City, and the CVB wants YOU to join them!

Details Below, Time Sensitive (Event is TODAY at Noon)

Help showcase the destination’s sugar-white sand beaches to Editors from media outlets ranging from Travel + Leisure magazine and Wall Street Journal to important trade publications, such as Successful Meetings and M&C.

This broadcast will offer them the opportunity to witness first hand, in real time, the status of the area’s natural resources.

Panama City Beach residents are encouraged to serve as the background audience during the video conference.

The event will not occur if it is raining or extremely cold.
(I just contacted Susan, who confirmed that despite the cloudy morning, this event is still happening.)

WHERE:
Barefoot Beach Club 15405 Front Beach Rd.

WHEN:
Wednesday, February 9, 12 noon (weather permitting)

WHY:
Panama City Beach CVB continues to raise awareness that its beaches are clean, clear and open for business to all travelers seeking an authentic REAL.FUN.BEACH. travel experience.

MORE INFO:
Please contact Tammala Spencer at Panama City Beach CVB at 850-233-5070

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Best Weather Update I’ve Ever Found:

“Today is forecast to be Much Warmer than yesterday.”

That’s an actual forecast for today’s weather  (Weds, Feb 9).  You just can’t beat that kind of direct, albeit vagueness.

In a slightly less vague statement, I’m happy to share that this weekend we should be looking at some sunny skies with temps hovering around the high 50′s to low 60′s.  We can expect cold, chilly nights to follow all that day-time sunshine.

Feb 10 Thursday: A shower or two around the area in the morning, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High near 55.

Chance of rain 40%. A few clouds. Low 32F

Feb 11 Friday: Sunshine. Highs in the upper 50s and lows in the upper 20s.

Feb 12 Saturday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 50s and lows in the low 30s.

Feb 13 Sunday: Sunshine. Highs in the low 60s and lows in the low 40s.

Feb 14 Monday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s and lows in the low 40s.