We essentially have two fires seasons in New England. One in the spring before leaf out – when the higher sun angle and low humidity can dry out the topmost layer of brush and leaves (even in a ...

Meanwhile, the moist, low-hanging clouds become trapped beneath an inversion layer of warmer air, which acts like a lid or cap. This lid may sit at about 3,500 feet.

Such an inversion layer is temporary, as hot air, being lighter than cold, rises and cools through a circular process known as convection. The road heat creates a microclimate that feeds on sunlight.

The air below the inversion can cool to the point at which condensation occurs, and clouds or fog form. Marine layer clouds often reach their maximum extent around sunrise, when the air near the ...