A beautiful cloud inversion photo taken at Snooper’s Rock. | Photo by @kcsmolak
Grid cities like NYC + Chicago have their henges, San Diego has its glowing “red tides,” and even nearby, the Great Smoky Mountains have synchronous fireflies.
While cloud inversions aren’t specific to Chattanooga, the city’s serendipitous combination of being located next to the Tennessee River — which creates an abundance of moisture that can turn to mist — and having various accessible overlooks like Snooper’s Rock make it a prime location for viewing the unique weather phenomenon.
And while you may not have heard the phrase “cloud inversion” before, if you follow any Chattanoogan with a camera on social media, you’ve definitely seen it.
The weather event is also known as a temperature inversion, and it’s exactly what it sounds like — the result of the normal distribution of air inverting, aka, cool air being trapped beneath warm air.
So, how to see it in person and snap a photo of your own? While there’s no foolproof way to predict a cloud inversion occurrence, the Tennessee River Gorge Trust recently shared a few conditions that are conducive to cloud inversions, so you can try to predict when the next one will take place:
Temperature that meets the dew point
Relatively high humidity
Not too much wind + calm conditions
Longer nights (aka, you’re more likely to see these in the fall + winter)
No incoming fronts
Pro tip: once the sun fully rises, these inversions will often start to dissipate + clear, so you’re more likely to catch one in its full glory during sunrise. We’re envisioning a crisp autumn morning with coffee in hand + views across the land. 😍
Wondering where you can view a cloud inversion locally? These spots have all given way to beautiful views during this weather event:
Backyard Chemistry: Making Herbal Cocktail Syrups | Mon., Sept. 26 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Chattery | $35 | Learn the techniques needed to make three unique herbal syrups + taste them in both non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails. 🍸
Tuesday
Herbalism 101 | Tues., Sept. 27 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Rd. | $35 | Go through the very basics of herbalism + talk about how you can use these plants to promote a healthier, more well-intentioned lifestyle.
Alan Shikoh: Wednesday Jazz | Wed., Sept. 28 | 7-9 p.m. | Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. | $5 | Listen as Alan Shikoh interprets jazz standards for solo guitar in an intimate setting.
Green Drinks | Wed., Sept. 28 | 5-7 p.m. | The Gear Closet, 1510 Riverside Dr. | Free, RSVP | Learn about The Gear Closet’s sustainable practices alongside Green Spaces. 💚
Stillhouse Junkies | Wed., Sept. 28 | 8 p.m. | The Woodshop, 5500 St. Elmo Ave. | $20 | This band performs a “head-spinning mixture of original roots, blues, funk, swing, and bluegrass music.”
Thursday
People’s History of Chattanooga Walking Tour | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Union Depot Marker, 158 MLK Blvd. | Donation, RSVP | Michael Gilliland of CALEB will lead this downtown tour using the landscape + landmarks to discuss slavery and antebellum Chattanooga, the Civil War, and more. 🚶
Friday
3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival | Fri., Sept. 30-Sat., Oct. 1 | Various times | Ross’s Landing | Free+ | Listen to bands like The New Dismembered Tennesseans, Bluetastic Fangrass, and more. 🎶
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
When customers join the Remi Club, they receive brand new replacement night guards every six months for just $49. | Photo provided by Remi
Calling all anxious teeth grinders: Stress is really bad for your sleep. If you’re grinding + clenching your teeth at night, it might be time to take an additional step in protecting your physical and mental health.
Southside is getting a new bagel + pizza joint. Honey Seed is coming to Market Street sometime soon, with “hand-rolled bagels” and “woodfired pizza.”
Development
Erlanger Health System plans to convert the acute care side of Erlanger North Hospital in Red Bank into a 48-bed behavioral health hospital. The conversion is a joint venture with Arcadia Healthcare, though Erlanger will maintain ownership of the property. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Number
13. That’s how many Hamilton County schools received Level 5 distinction from the Tennessee Department of Education. Level 5 is the highest ranking based on academic growth shown by students during the spring testing period.
Arts
Southern Adventist University’s School of Visual Art and Design will host “A Celebration of Life” exhibit by painter Myung Joo Shin. Opening night of the gallery will be free + open to the public on Thurs., Oct. 6 in the John C. Williams Art Gallery. 🖼️
To wrap up its 70th anniversary, The Hunter Museum has announced its display of “Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Berry Collection of African American Art.” The collection includes 67 works of varying mediums, subjects + styles. (The Pulse)
Sports
Registration for the 10th Annual Battle at the Bend Skate Contest on Oct. 22 is now open. Enter to win up to $500 in cash prizes + handmade awards from Ignis Glass Studio. Registration is free for this open division contest, but there are only 70 spots available. 🛹
Award
The Hamilton County 911 Emergency Communications District received the “Dispatch Event of the Year” award for its second + third shift teams. The top state award was received at the Tennessee Emergency Numbers Association conference. (Chattanoogan.com)
Drink
Chattanooga Whiskey announced the next release of its Bottled in Bond Series, the Fall 2018 Vintage. The fourth release in this award-winning series is crafted from a selection of four unique + high malt bourbon mash bills made within the same distilling season. 🥃
Health
For National Diaper Need Awareness Week, UnitedHealthcare + Allied Pediatrics will host a diaper distribution event on Tues., Sept. 27 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at 7405 Shallowford Rd. These statewide giveaways are aimed to help Tennessee families struggling with diaper insecurity.
Did you know? Our allergy triggers change and evolve over time as we age. Read: You might have new allergies you don’t even know about. Curious about yours? Take this quiz and find out.*
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This Thurs., Sept. 29, real estate investor + developer Bruzenkskey Bois will be in Chattanooga to discuss how hip-hop culture reflects and relates to urbanism, neighborhoods, and placemaking.
Wanna sneak peek of what to expect at the CIVIQ event? Hear it straight from the source:
”... I feel like it’s still an early stage topic of really looking at hip-hop culture as it reflects and as it pertains to new urbanism, neighborhood, and place building. I’m really going to dive into the parallels between the two... I also want to allow people to leave the room with action items, things that they can actually do to be a part of the process. You know, just because it is hip-hop, and it is talking from a perspective of the Congressional Black Caucus for New Urbanism, you don’t have to be Black to be a part of it, you don’t have to be affected by it to participate. You just gotta have a good moral heart, just want to kind of see things moving in a more positive direction, and be a part of that.”
Editor’s pick: Have you seen the temps for this week? I am utterly overjoyed. Don’t mind me, breakin’ out my favorite jackets + sweaters (speaking of... it’s now *actually* almost sweater weather).
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