Video of “Mirage” Over Hefei Sparks Curiosity, Experts Say It’s Just Clouds

On the morning of August 31, a Hefei resident posted a video on social media claiming to have captured a “mirage” over the city, sparking widespread attention. The footage, filmed near Dashu Mountain, showed misty clouds surrounding the area, with distant skyscrapers faintly visible and even mountain ranges appearing in the background. The video quickly went viral, receiving over 2,000 likes.

Many viewers described the scene as “another parallel Hefei,” while others praised the beautiful morning clouds and shared their own photos. However, some questioned whether it was truly a mirage, suggesting instead that the visual effect came from layers of cloud and fog.

Meteorological experts weighed in to clarify. Xu Xia, a senior engineer at the Hefei Meteorological Bureau, explained that true mirages occur when uneven air density causes light to bend and create illusions of real objects. Judging from the video, Xu said it looked unlikely to be a mirage and more like clouds stacked in unusual formations.

Another expert from the Anhui Meteorological Observatory also dismissed the “mirage” claim, saying plainly, “That’s just clouds.” According to him, the unusual scene was the result of recent weather conditions—moisture brought by the subtropical high combined with cold air from the north, leading to thickened cloud layers after thunderstorms on August 30.

Though not a real mirage, the striking view captivated residents and showcased nature’s ability to create moments of wonder.

(Source: Da Wan News)