Ominous Black Smoke Ring Over Virginia Sky Captures Local Attention — Blown Transformer Or Wild Conspiracy
Locals were abuzz when a mysterious, nearly perfect, circular smoke ring appeared in a clear blue sky in Williamsburg, Virginia. It was near noon on August 13 when several people witnessed the fascinating phenomenon.
A local news channel received multiple photos from their viewers about the baffling smoke ring that seemingly appeared from nowhere. Without an obvious explanation for the mystery ring, theories spread about its origin.
The most outlandish theory was it was a portal from hell. Others believed our alien overlords had come to invade our planet.
Photos and videos of the smoke ring from several angles in the city's northern section were taken before the smoke ring completely vanished. The ominous-looking ring lasted all of 10 minutes before it disappeared.
Locals and internet sleuths alike kept looking for an explanation about the smoke ring's origin long after it dissipated. WAVY, the local news station, reached out to the fire department if there were any reported incidents around the time of the ring's appearance.
There were no fires or similar incidents that could have caused the ring were reported to the James City County Fire Department, according to the report. Likewise, a Dominion Energy spokesperson denied any transformers or equipment in that area were reported to have malfunctioned.
The black smoke ring looked drawn when it appeared on clear skies.
Screengrab from TikTok video: @crystalelizawestIt did look like the entry or exit point of a portal.
Johnny BartlettIt would be hard to miss this smoke ring even when you're driving.
Johnny BartlettFascinated locals did a great job documenting the smoke ring from different vantage points before it vanished.
Joshua BeanThe origin of the smoke ring in Williamsburg, VA is still unknown.
Renee FisherHowever, it is not a rare incident. A month ago, a similar smoke ring appeared in Pearland, Texas.
Screengrab from Facebook video: Taylor Ann GuerreroSimilar to the smoke ring in Virginia, there isn't a concrete explanation for this one in Pearland.
Screengrab from Facebook video
Nine years ago, a similar O-shaped smoke ring appeared in Kazakhstan for 15 minutes.
Screengrab from YouTube video: Tutlinkvideo
Two O-shaped smoke rings also appeared near Disneyland California a year ago.
Waskevin
There is a simple explanation for these bizarre smoke rings that aren't related to any occult or alien practices.
MrJoshiko
Some say they are the souls of dying transformers that signal power outages.
uniballing
Although unexplained, the smoke ring in Williamsburg could have been caused by a downed electrical transformer, pyrotechnics, or even a piece of homemade smoke-ring equipment that some use at Burning Man.
The resident meteorologist for the local news station, Ricky Mathews, confirmed he had seen similar smoke rings from pyrotechnics before. Their other meteorologist, Steve Fundaro, said some industrial or factory-related processes could have produced the O-shaped smoke that fascinated the locals.
Could it have been a transformer that exploded or a bootleg music festival that caused the smoke ring? Does the Vatican have a secret HQ in Virginia in charge of testing new smoke signals that announce the election of a new pope?
Whichever explanation you prefer, it's undeniable that these black smoke rings are beguiling when they appear. Have you witnessed a similar mysterious phenomenon in your area?
