<p dir="ltr"><strong>This past weekend, you could've been above the <a href="http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/earth/earths-atmosphere/clouds-article/">clouds</a>—but still be earthbound—at <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm">Grand Canyon National Park</a> (pictured on November 29), thanks to a unique weather phenomenon called a <a href="http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/climate/TemperatureInversions.php">temperature inversion</a>.</strong></p><p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-0650cf6d-ba44-5da6-e6c0-6fc383981781"></strong></p><p dir="ltr">The weather pattern occurs when cold air is sandwiched between the Earth's surface and the warmer air above.</p><p><strong></strong></p><p>In the Grand Canyon, the inversion created a fleecy blanket of fog over the park following heavy precipitation. (Also see <a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/11/131115-rare-roll-cloud-video-rare-morning-glory/">"Viral Video: Why Are 'Roll Clouds' So Rare?"</a>)</p><p>"We had a widespread rainstorm a few days before—very, very wet snow," said Darren McCollum, lead forecaster at the <a href="http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/fgz/">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Flagstaff, Arizona</a>. "Every place was pretty wet. Within a day, it all melted. The ground was super wet."</p><p>Then a high-pressure front carrying dry, warm air moved in, combining with the wet ground and balmy valley temperatures to create a temperature inversion.</p><p><strong></strong></p><p dir="ltr"><em>—Tanya Basu</em></p>

Head Above the Clouds

This past weekend, you could've been above the clouds—but still be earthbound—at Grand Canyon National Park (pictured on November 29), thanks to a unique weather phenomenon called a temperature inversion.

The weather pattern occurs when cold air is sandwiched between the Earth's surface and the warmer air above.

In the Grand Canyon, the inversion created a fleecy blanket of fog over the park following heavy precipitation. (Also see "Viral Video: Why Are 'Roll Clouds' So Rare?")

"We had a widespread rainstorm a few days before—very, very wet snow," said Darren McCollum, lead forecaster at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Flagstaff, Arizona. "Every place was pretty wet. Within a day, it all melted. The ground was super wet."

Then a high-pressure front carrying dry, warm air moved in, combining with the wet ground and balmy valley temperatures to create a temperature inversion.

—Tanya Basu

Photograph by National Park Service, Erin Whittaker/AP

What Created the Rare, Breathtaking Fog Over the Grand Canyon?

A rare weather phenomenon called a temperature inversion transformed the Grand Canyon into a foggy fantasy land recently.

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