When fog freezes, it’s not just fog. It’s tiny ice crystals floating in the air. This happens when fog droplets are supercooled.
Supercooled means the water is below 32°F but hasn’t frozen yet. Touch it? It instantly turns to rime ice on your coat. Instant winter bling!
That’s why trees look iced in fairy dust. It’s not snow—it’s frozen fog. You can literally breathe in tiny ice. Weird, but beautiful.
The Salt Trick
Ever wonder why salt melts ice at 32°F? It’s chemistry theater. Saltwater freezes at about 28°F instead of 32°F. So salt “unfreezes” the ice.
That’s why ocean water stays liquid at temperatures that would freeze a lake. The ocean is a salty rebel. It refuses to play by the 32°F rules.
Pro tip: sprinkle salt on your steps at 30°F, and ice turns to slush. But at 10°F? Salt is useless. Too cold for its magic.
