Inversion
Being above clouds
When it is foggy and chilly in Åre by, the weather report can in many cases show sun with bluesky and plus degrees on the top of Åreskutan. Then there is a thick cloud cover over the village. The feeling of being above the clouds is magical. It’s called inversion.
Inversion is formed when there is high pressure and the temperature increases with height. Then thick layers of air slowly descend and heat up. That in turn, slows down the vertical movements of the air and inversions can form at a height of a few km. Moist air from near-ground shifts is likewise slowed below the base of the inversion, and the clouds spread out horizontally.
The temperature can differ as much as 20 degrees difference from ground level to thetops. Most commonly occurring between October – March. In April it will be the other way around, i.e. the most normal, that it gets warmer in the valley and cooler on the peaks.
So our biggest tip is to check the weather report and the webcams when the next really chilly day hitsfather.
Then get to the top as quickly as possible with coffee, shovel and sleeping pad. Dig a sun pit, put on your sunglasses and enjoy!
