pogonip

[ pog-uh-nip ]

noun

1. an ice fog that forms in the mountain valleys of the western U.S.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pogonip¹

1860–65, Americanism; < Shoshone paγɨnappɨh thunder cloud; compare soγovaγɨnappɨh fog (with soγo- earth), yaγumpaγɨnappih fog (with yaγun- valley)

Example Sentences

Fog is made of water vapor, yet sometimes ice particles can create the ephemeral mistWhen the air temperature is below freezing and relative humidity is greater than 100 percent—an infrequent combination—these ice crystals can form and hover to form a “pogonip,” or ice fog.

From Scientific American

Hoping to add our own pin to Rugg’s map of Bigfoot sightings, we charted a course for Pogonip Open Space Preserve.

From Washington Post

The outdoors seeming like the safest place to meet because of the pandemic, more walks followed, including along Twin Lakes State Beach in Santa Cruz and through Pogonip, a local park with a network of trails.

From New York Times