What causes the Phantom Falls in Katoomba

The mysterious weather phenomenon colloquially known as Phantom Falls occurs predominantly in Autumn and Spring. For the Falls to appear, the weather conditions must be exact with high humidity.

This natural event is caused by air in the Jamison Valley being warmed by the sun’s rays and rising to meet the colder air in the Megalong Valley. The resulting mist creates a ‘waterfall’ effect which falls slowly and dramatically over the cliff into the Jamison Valley.

The curtain of moving mist can be as much as 800 metres wide and 50 metres deep, moving at around 10 – 20 metres per second. The Phantom Falls can run for a few minutes or hours depending on the supply of moist air. Occasionally, the Falls run backwards during the evening, flowing into the Megalong Valley and providing a spectacular sight under a full moon.

Read our eMag on the Phantom Falls: https://www.askroz.com.au/blog/phantom-falls-katoomba-blue-mountains