What Is a Steam Devil? Cold Weather Phenomena

New England experienced record-breaking cold as arctic air swept into the region Friday and Saturday, dropping temperatures below zero for millions.

Here are some of the most amazing weather phenomena we saw in New England during this arctic blast.

Steam Devil

The meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Burlington photographed an impressive steam devil on Lake Champlain.

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Here's a look at a pretty impressive steam devil on Lake Champlain captured by one of our meteorologists. pic.twitter.com/5cebh3owhv
— NWS Burlington (@NWSBurlington) February 3, 2023

Plenty of waterspout activity over Lake Champlain today with the Arctic air mass overhead! #vtwx #waterspout pic.twitter.com/E0s3xzONeg
— Rodney Chai (@RodneyChaiWX) February 3, 2023

What is a steam devil? The National Weather Service describes the m as similar to a waterspout, but in intensely cold weather, where rapid cooling prompts sea smoke (see below) to swirl and rise. They are usually much shorter than waterspouts and don't lead to a cloud in the sky.

2. Frozen River

The USCG posted that ice was reported in the Weymouth Fore River early Saturday morning.

On scene conditions present 1-2 inches of ice. The Coast Guard helps ensure this waterway remains navigable to allow for access to terminals providing energy to the South Shore and City of Boston. pic.twitter.com/bLAWJYpFdp
— USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) February 4, 2023

3. Sea Smoke

The weather produced plenty of sea smoke in Massachusetts and beyond. You can see a gallery of images from Boston Harbor and around the Whaleback Light in New Castle, New Hampshire, here:

See Photos of Stunning Sea Smoke Caused By Extreme Cold in New England

4. Mt. Washington breaks wind chill record

By Saturday at 7 a.m., temperatures on the Mt. Washington Observatory had dipped as far down as -45 degrees, two degrees shy of the lowest ever, with a wind chill that made it feel like -109, a new wind chill record for the United States.

By Saturday at 7 a.m., temperatures had dipped as far down as -45 degrees, two degrees shy of the lowest ever, with a wind chill that made it feel like -109, a new wind chill record for the observatory.

5. Route 1 whiteout in Maine

Maine State Police reported whiteout conditions and heavy drifting from Caribou to Van Buren on Route 1, closing the roadway until further notice.

ALERT Rt. 1 from Caribou to Van Buren will be closed to traffic until further notice. The wind and blowing snow is causing whiteout conditions and heavy drifting that crews are unable to keep up with. MSP will monitor conditions throughout the day. #stayhome #staysafe pic.twitter.com/rNLDbTxuww
— Maine State Police (@MEStatePolice) February 4, 2023