Snow, Ice, Sea Smoke: January Begins with Deep Freeze
Seals and cormorants chose cold air over warmer water at Squibnocket.
Seals and cormorants chose cold air over warmer water at Squibnocket.
Frozen Edgartown Harbor.
Frozen Edgartown Harbor.
Oak Bluffs harbor is frozen, too.
Oak Bluffs harbor is frozen, too.
Full moon rises over Lucy Vincent Beach.
Full moon rises over Lucy Vincent Beach.
The January moon is called the Wolf Moon. There will be a second full moon this month, a blue moon, on Jan. 31.
The January moon is called the Wolf Moon. There will be a second full moon this month, a blue moon, on Jan. 31.
Ice skating on Duarte's Pond.
Ice skating on Duarte's Pond.
Priester's Pond is frozen over.
Priester's Pond is frozen over.
Even hardy waterfowl look cold.
Even hardy waterfowl look cold.
Frigid New Year's Day dawns at Inkwell Beach.
Frigid New Year's Day dawns at Inkwell Beach.
Sea smoke, also known sea fog and frost smoke, forms when cold air meets warmer water.
Sea smoke, also known sea fog and frost smoke, forms when cold air meets warmer water.
Sea smoke dances off the coast of Aquinnah.
Sea smoke dances off the coast of Aquinnah.
Frosted windowpane.
Frosted windowpane.
Ice takes over Quitsa Pond.
Ice takes over Quitsa Pond.
Sea smoke visible off Menemsha jetty.
Sea smoke visible off Menemsha jetty.
Snow-covered pier over snow-covered, icy water on Chappy.
Snow-covered pier over snow-covered, icy water on Chappy.
Winter landscape on Chappaquiddick.
Winter landscape on Chappaquiddick.
Quitsa Pond in all its January glory.
Quitsa Pond in all its January glory.
Hockey time at Duarte's Pond.
Hockey time at Duarte's Pond.
Big icicles adorn dock at East Chop.
Big icicles adorn dock at East Chop.
Another scene at Duarte's.
Another scene at Duarte's.
Despite the cold, the pond is the place to be.
Despite the cold, the pond is the place to be.
Menemsha jetty with its winter coat on.
Menemsha jetty with its winter coat on.
Winter weather settled in over the Vineyard during the quiet week between Christmas and the new year. Single-digit temperatures quickly froze harbors and ponds, and icicles hung from docks and under eaves, creating an icy white world everywhere on the Island. Sea smoke wafted over the ocean, the result of warmer water mingling with the cold air.
It is the season to seek refuge inside, by fireplaces and heaters, but some Islanders bundled up and braved the weather. Eleven people plunged into Vineyard Sound on New Year’s Day for the annual Polar Plunge, while others stood outside to watch New Year’s fireworks or to count birds for the Christmas Bird Count. Still others donned ice skates and headed to the frozen ponds, embracing the New England winter weather with hockey and skating.