Winter Inversion (2/52)

A few times each winter a low-level inversion sets up over Vancouver. Normally temperatures in the atmosphere decreases with increasing elevation. Inversion means that this pattern is 'inversed', the normal vertical movement of air is stopped and cold air becomes trapped at ground level (read more about it on Cliff Mass' blog Inversions 101).

This makes for dreary conditions in town, its dark, cold and wet. But if there are mountains nearby it is easy to escape. One just has to drive a little up to get above the clouds for some sunshine and great photo opportunities!

I have photographed this weather phenomenon several times during daytime so it was time for something new: an evening session. There are always photographers at the viewpoint on Cypress Bowl Road but I was a little surprised to see the shutterbugs standing shoulder to shoulder with nary a place to squeeze in with my tripod. But all of them pointed their long lenses at downtown, so I set up facing more east and got some nice shots of SFU. Later the row of photographers thinned and I found space for the obligatory downtown shots.

When processing the yield of the evening I was in for a second surprise; while taking the photos I had not seen that the Cascades were visible on the horizon.