Mirage sightings?

My son and I are skiing at Mission Ridge this weekend. This afternoon we started to see mirage effects over the western Cascades from the top of the ridge. The effect was most pronounced around Lemah Mountain and Chimney Rock. Instead of an array of pointed peaks, we saw something that looked like a flat-topped wall with gaps in it.

I also saw mirages around Mt Rainier. Initially they were small (Observation Rock looked like a square-topped Castleton Tower). Later the north flank of Rainier looked like a big mesa.

This effect was discussed on TAY a year or two ago, but I haven't looked for the thread. It occurs when warm air starts to override a dome of persistent cold air, such as we've been experiencing. Keep an eye out on Martin Luther King Jr. day...it could be an awesome day for mirages.

p.s. Take some pictures! I neglected to bring my camera with me...

Despite my anticipation, the mirages today were a dud. Sunday was better. The overriding warm air had descended far enough today that most of the peaks on the horizon were too high for mirages. I saw a few small ones in the distance near Snoqualmie Pass, but not nearly as cool as yesterday.

The telemetry showed above freezing yesterday for a few hours at most high elevation sites, while it was still below freezing in Seattle... blech.... bye bye powder...

I brought my camera along to Crystal BC yesterday hoping for some visual effects...no luck. It was indeed warm up on the ridge, but the powder was still preserved in sheltered areas on our last run down as the sun fell behind the resort. Not Utah powder anymore, but still pretty good for PNW. The sun and wind were bigger issues as far as skiing quality in Bullion Basin yesterday was concerned.