SWIRLING sea mist crept onto beaches around Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch on Thursday.
Half term holidaymakers and visitors have been forced to abandon the sands for further inland due to the sudden occurrence.
Initially spotted at Sandbanks, the sea mist could later be seen at Boscombe, Bournemouth and Lulworth Cove, obscuring the vistas.
Picture of Lulworth Cove by Paul Gilliver
@Bournemouthecho here's our view of the shore from the lifeboat on the mooring #gladwehaveradar pic.twitter.com/11C61HBk1P
— RNLI Swanage (@swanagelifeboat) April 9, 2015
Bournemouth-based weather expert, Dr Richard Wild, said the sea mist occurs when there is a difference in the sea temperature and land temperature.
That's what you call a sea mist - the beach and water are somewhere in that! #bournemouthbeach #seamist pic.twitter.com/WMSfYVH3t1
— CoastalActivityPark (@coastalactivity) April 9, 2015
"At the moment the temperature on land is in the upper teens and the sea temperature is probably only 8-9C and the winds are very, very light", Dr Wild said.
"The wind direction is coming in from the south and the cooling affect is bringing it in.
"As soon as it comes in land, say towards Ringwood, it will be minimal.
"But, there is a possibility it could stay all day."
Dramatic misty scenes today #seamist #spring pic.twitter.com/H8B6n44sfu
— Brownseablog nt (@Brownseablog) April 9, 2015
He added: "The nearer we get to the peak of the sunshine this afternoon, it is likely to dissipate.
"And the winds will change, making it disappear."
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