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Inversion – Inversion • A thrilling and rare natural phenomenon

In recent days (March 2025), magical and impressive natural phenomena have captured the attention of coastal residents, and have been dubbed "magical phenomena." This is a rare meteorological phenomenon called an "inversion," which is a phenomenon in which a layer of warm air is trapped beneath a layer of cold air, instead of the other way around as is usually expected. This phenomenon, which occurs mainly during the transition seasons, has been spreading in recent years, and may be a result of global warming.

Inversion • A thrilling and rare natural phenomenon (Photo: Moti Mendelsohn)
Inversion – Inversion • A thrilling and rare natural phenomenon (Photo: Moti Mendelsohn)

What is inversion?

An inversion is a phenomenon that occurs mainly in the spring, when the difference between the sea temperature (around 18 degrees Celsius) and the air over land (which can reach more than 30 degrees) creates the perfect conditions for the formation of a layer of heavy fog. This layer of fog usually appears mainly in the morning, and seems to be "captured" by the layer of warm air, gradually dissipating as the land warms.

Inversion • A thrilling and rare natural phenomenon (Photo: Moti Mendelsohn)
Inversion – Inversion • A thrilling and rare natural phenomenon (Photo: Moti Mendelsohn)

The phenomenon that is spreading to the shores of the country

This week, following the unusual weather, the phenomenon could be seen prominently, as the heavy fog spread along the country's coast from south to north, causing the disturbing sight of a billowing smoke, which identified itself as a "fire." The phenomenon was so intense that reports were received at fire stations, and emergency services were called to the scene.

Inversion • A thrilling and rare natural phenomenon (Photo: Moti Mendelsohn)
Inversion – Inversion • A thrilling and rare natural phenomenon (Photo: Moti Mendelsohn)

The heavy fog caused significant disruptions to sea traffic, causing the seaport to cease operations for long hours for safety reasons. As much as this sounded like a technical problem, it was also a real risk to the supervision of operating conditions at sea.

Inversion • A thrilling and rare natural phenomenon (Photo: Moti Mendelsohn)
Inversion – Inversion • A thrilling and rare natural phenomenon (Photo: Moti Mendelsohn)

Traffic disruptions on land

Due to the heavy fog, disruptions were also recorded on the roads, with many drivers preferring to pull over and wait for the fog to clear. This phenomenon has been observed in the past in the Krayot, where it disrupted vehicle traffic and even caused significant delays.

Inversion • A thrilling and rare natural phenomenon (Photo: Moti Mendelsohn)
Inversion – Inversion • A thrilling and rare natural phenomenon (Photo: Moti Mendelsohn)

What does the sea have to say?

Of course, such fog also affects maritime activity, and sea voyages were suspended until the skies cleared. Although no air pollution is caused by such a phenomenon (unlike haze), it is a spectacular natural phenomenon, which may occur more frequently in the coming decades.

The Divers in Acre: "The Tower of the Flies"

A particularly strange story occurred off the coast of Acre, when divers went swimming in the sea, but encountered the disturbing phenomenon. They were on their way to underwater sites, but had to wait for some time until the fog cleared and they were allowed to continue diving. All this, while they were still in the highest layer of water. Often, in calm and clear seas, it is possible to navigate by the route of the sand, but the fog clouded visibility and made planning and execution difficult.

Inversion • A thrilling and rare natural phenomenon (Photo: Moti Mendelsohn)
Inversion – Inversion • A thrilling and rare natural phenomenon (Photo: Moti Mendelsohn)

A few words of summary:

Although this is a natural and impressive phenomenon, it is important to understand the challenges it poses to all parties involved – drivers, sailors and divers. Under such conditions, any outdoor activity becomes a challenging task, but at the same time, it can be seen as an opportunity to be impressed by the power of nature and its many mysterious phenomena.

Inversion • A thrilling and rare natural phenomenon (Photo: Moti Mendelsohn)
Inversion – Inversion • A thrilling and rare natural phenomenon (Photo: Moti Mendelsohn)
Inversion • A thrilling and rare natural phenomenon (Photo: Moti Mendelsohn)
Inversion – Inversion • A thrilling and rare natural phenomenon (Photo: Moti Mendelsohn)

contact: At watsapBy email

Motty Mendelssohn
Motty Mendelssohn
Marine researcher (diving, underwater photography) and marine and environmental ecology for 35 years. Lecturer in the field for about 20 years. You can order a lecture, or a series of lectures accompanied by unique and spectacular photos, taken during many years of research, in Israel and abroad, ecological tours within Israel and tours of the Dead Sea sinkholes • 050-7271157 • [email protected]

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24 תגובות

  1. There is nothing new under the sun. Starting in 1969, I served in Sde Dov and the phenomenon returned almost every year.

    • Why didn't they include this in the weather forecast? It's supposed to be dangerous for drivers on the roads.

  2. Great article! It is definitely important to be aware and familiar with the phenomenon! Moti, you are great, continue to publish articles like this! Good luck!

  3. exciting.
    I experienced the phenomenon, on Highway 2 near Habonim Gasser when the fog started and it looked like smoke or a cloud of construction excavations.
    I imagined it was a flu. Following a cold spell.
    It was really amazing.

    • Hello Smadar, that's true.
      Because of the topographical structure of the area, there are many similar cases there. Simply stand there, and the composition of the Rakef Law is a renovation of the Kish.

    • Thanks for the article, just this week near Caesarea my eldest daughter asked me what this thing was and apart from a fog I didn't know how to answer her. You gave her the article.

  4. But it was not explained how this happens? What causes the warm air to be trapped under the cold air? In the normal summer, cold air over the sea flows to the land and pushes the warm air up – this is the natural phenomenon that creates a breeze from the sea to the land.

  5. You don't say inversion. Inversion = inversion. When you say inversion, the words cancel each other out. It's like "no no" = "yes."

    • Hello
      You are right, inversion equals reversal. Unfortunately, the parentheses were not inserted due to a typing error.
      Thank you have a wonderful day

    • Hello dear S.G.
      This phenomenon of inversion has existed for centuries.
      do not worry

  6. Thank you very much for the interesting and educational articles.
    Is fog the only result of the warm layer of air below the cold? How does this affect the birds?

    • Hello. This shouldn't affect the birds, maybe the butterflies and locusts if there are any, and it's good that there aren't any.
      good week

  7. Fascinating as usual. A little stressful and the photos are spectacular. Especially the floating chimneys of Caesarea. Thank you

  8. Everything is in the hands of the Creator of the world. Nature does not act on its own. The world has been undergoing a gradual process of fundamental changes on all levels for years. My little advice: "Repent." You should!

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