La Brume (Fog)
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The Mysterious Mist
There is a common occurrence in the community of Clare in Southwest Nova Scotia. While some visitors have witnessed variations of this strange mist other visitors to the Clare area are simply baffled by the sight of this manifestation. This might sound like a science fiction movie when actually it is sheer science. Allow me to explain.
Saint Mary's Bay might be on the same degree of latitude as the French Riviera, but their climates bear no resemblance. The Labrador, a water flow that begins north of Nova Scotia and carries plankton down through our waters helping to feed the wide variety of marine life, makes all the difference.
This very cold current ends its journey in Saint Mary's Bay thus lowering the bay's water temperature. When the warmth of the southern wind mixes with the cold temperature of the Bay waters a reaction occurs and results in the creation of a thick mist.
This mist, known as the famous Saint Mary's Bay Fog, can quickly spread along the coast and cover several miles inland, blanketing the coastal community of Clare. Many people are still fascinated with just how quickly the fog can spread and how thick it can be.
Within minutes one can lose sight of entire buildings less than fifty yards away! Wharves, houses, people, and vehicles seem to disappear into a cloudy wall of gray. The fog can disappear as fast as it was created and leave people wondering, "Where did it go?"
This fascinating occurrence is more common in the summer due to the extreme heat that comes up from the New England area, a heat that consequently helps curb the harsh cold in winter.
The cold current of the Labrador is also useful at times since it keeps the water cool, which in turn keeps the summer heat in Clare from becoming too unbearable.
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