Liputan6.com, Jakarta - January 2026 witnessed an extreme weather phenomenon that struck various parts of the world.
This natural phenomenon occurs when water droplets in the air freeze at temperatures below freezing, creating a beautiful yet dangerous landscape.
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This event not only impacted people's daily activities but also posed serious risks such as traffic accidents and power outages.
Several areas in the United States, India, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and the UK reportedly experienced the direct impact of this extreme cold weather.
So, what exactly is freezing fog, and how does it form?
Freezing Fog: Understanding the Phenomenon
Freezing fog is a special form of fog that happens when water droplets in the air freeze due to extremely low temperatures, often below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).
Unlike regular fog, freezing fog produces tiny ice particles that float in the air, creating a stunning visual effect.
Freezing fog can also occur when liquid fog droplets freeze on solid surfaces, coating the ground, trees, and other objects with a layer of frost.
This phenomenon is often found in cold, humid climates, such as Scandinavia or Antarctica, but can occur anywhere the temperature and humidity conditions are favorable.
How Does Freezing Fog Form?
The formation of freezing fog involves a combination of several important factors, while the main factor is very low temperatures, generally below freezing (0°C or 32°F).
At this temperature, water droplets in the air begin to turn into tiny ice particles, forming freezing fog.
In addition to low temperatures, high humidity is also a crucial factor in this process.
Freezing fog typically happens when there is sufficient humidity in the air, allowing water droplets to form before freezing.
This condition often occurs at night or early morning when temperatures are lowest and relative humidity is high.
The process of liquid fog droplets freezing onto a solid surface is also a characteristic of freezing fog.
Cloud-covered mountaintops are often shrouded in freezing fog, and when this freezing fog lifts, the ground, trees, and even cobwebs can be covered in a beautiful layer of frost.
Impact of Freezing Fog in Worldwide
In January 2026, freezing fog and extreme cold weather conditions affected various regions of the UK, causing widespread disruption.
In the UK, temperatures struggled to rise above freezing during the first week of 2026, with snow and ice warnings across the country.
Scotland and northern England experienced record-breaking temperatures and widespread frost, as well as dense fog that may persist.
In the United States, a major winter storm struck North America in late January 2026, bringing freezing rain and dense fog.
States such as Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Michigan were affected by dense fog and freezing rain.
Widespread freezing fog was also expected in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, area following an Arctic cold wave.