Enchanted Clouds on the Table Mountain

Entertainment

The Table Mountain is a constant source of spooky entertainment for the residents and tourists settling in Cape Town.

The flat top of the mountain is usually covered by strange, dense and tablecloths like clouds. Legends say that these unreal clouds are formed as a result of a smoking contest between the devil and popular pirate Van Hunk. 

Of course it is not a fact but no scientific explanation would be enough to justify the magical cloud formation around the mountain. 

Spiting The Table Cloth On Table Mountain

You can often see the table cloth clouds overhanging on the sides of the mountain creating a dreamlike effect on the surroundings.Time lapse videos of the cloud formation and dispersion will leave you awestruck.

The Scientific Explanation 

If you are looking for scientific explanation behind this extraordinary cloud formation; here is it. The most common and popular way clouds form in the sky is when air right above the sea level is pushed upwards. 

It is dense and contains high vapour content which eventually forms the clouds. In case of the tablecloth clouds, the wind from the Atlantic Ocean brings moist air on the top of the table mountain. 

When the air moves upward, the water vapours are condensed to form the clouds seen above the mountain. The instability of the environment explains the sudden disappearance of these clouds.

In a stable environment the wind shifts the air with vapour upwards and as it becomes denser than its surroundings, it starts to sink to a lower altitude and passes through the mountain in doing so.

The clouds seem to spill over the mountain when the cloudy air experiences a stable environment which makes the clouds sink on the other side of the mountain like a tablecloth overhanging on the sides of the table. 

The table cloth clouds vanish as soon as the cool breeze merges into the relatively warm air lower down on the mountain. 

Keeping the science behind this amazing spectacle aside, the spilling clouds really seem supernatural.

How To Experience This

To enjoy and experience these clouds to the fullest, You can book a sunrise or sunset private or group guided easy walking or advance hiking tour on multiple routes with an accredited guide muki venture 

hike to the top or easy walk around the mountain and have wholesome experience of passing through the clouds and enjoying every moment of this truly magical display of power by Mother Nature.