Cloud Filled Valleys in Pennsylvania

Nearing the end of a red eye flight from California to New York on 10/17/2011, I was treated to this intriguing view of cloud/fog filled valleys as the Sun rose over the northern reaches of the Valley and Ridge Province of Pennsylvania. Overnight temperatures in the valleys had dropped to the dew point and below the stream water temperature. Under those conditions moisture evaporating from the warmer streams quickly condensed to fill the valleys with fog and clouds, some rising high enough to catch light from the rising sun.

The metar above, covering Sunday 10/16/2011 through Monday 10/17/2011 at Williamsport, PA reveals the cool, saturated, and still air that was in place around sunrise on Monday.