A thick layer of sea smoke blanketed the lower Hudson River and upper bay this morning. It's one thing to see fog roll in, but to see tall wisps of steam waft up from the water is more rare and enchanting.

Sailors aboard the Zanabe had the perfect eye-level view of the phenomenon:

According to a paper by Woods Hole researchers, sea smoke occurs when very cold air comes into contact with warmer water -- and the difference in temperatures has to be in the range of at least 5 to 15 degrees Celsius. That's about 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Huge difference!

The water temperature at The Battery was 36F this morning, and the air temperature was -2F: the perfect differential for a stunning display.