Pogonip by definition is ice fog found in mountain valleys, especially in the Great Basin, in the winter. Ideal conditions for its formation is lots of ground moisture’s and high pressure weather system. Thie result is an inversion, when moisture laden clouds were forced down the valley floor, and the dominant high pressure blocks storm systems and with no wind, so inversions is trapped. One can ascend a few hundred feet above the valley floor, bask in sunny temperatures and overlook a sea of clouds.
The term pogonip loosely translates into “white death,” for many Indians caught pneumonia and died. Pogonips vary in severity. A mild one might linger a few days or a week.The worst variety is when it turns into a literal ice fog, coating everything. The first day can be spectacular with ice crystal formations on everything. After several successive days of those bone chilling temperatures, it quickly loses its appeal. The pogonip of 1859 was one of severest on record in the Honey Lake Valley. The heavy cold fog lasted six weeks. So much frost accumulated on the grasses that cattle could not eat it. In addition, since the first settlers had been accustomed to mild winters, very little hay was put up, and a great many cattle starved to death that winter.
This is one the earliest pogonip on record in this territory. Long range weather forecast indicate no storms through mid-December. Time well tell when the pogonip breaks up. Hopefully, they are wrong, and the fog lifts by Sunday.