Advective, orographic and radiation fog in the Tarapacá region, Chile

A project in northern Chile was undertaken to determine the origin and behaviour of fog in the coastal and inland locations of the Tarapacá Region. In the Pampa del Tamarugal, 50 km from the sea, conditions exist for the formation of radiation fog. Advective fog has been studied on the coast and orographic fog was observed at a few coastal sites near mountain ranges with elevations above 1000 m. Fog water collected by two standard fog collectors (SFC) for 3 1/2 years showed an average flux of 8.5 l m⁻² day⁻¹ on the coast and 1.1 l m⁻² day⁻¹ inland 12 km from the coastline. On only a few days in 10 months was water collected at the inland site of Pampa del Tamarugal. GOES satellite images are shown to illustrate the pattern of formation of the stratocumuli cloud over the sea, its approach to the coastline, the entrance of fog by corridors through the coastal range and the presence of radiation fog inland. The results are important for the understanding of fog formation and dissipation along the coastal mountain range and for the recognition of potential sites for the installation of fog water collectors, which can be used as a water source in the Atacama Desert. The results also provide vital information for use in the preservation of the unique ecosystems of the most arid desert of the world.     

The spatial and temporal variability of fog and its relation to fog oases in the Atacama Desert, Chile

Fog has been studied in the Atacama Desert of Chile for the past ten years. This paper analyzes its temporal and spatial variability, relying in part on satellite images (GOES) to analyze the frequent orographic fog and the low cloud deck (stratocumulus, Sc) that generates advective fog in the area. Fog water fluxes were measured with Standard Fog Collectors (SFC). Field trips and observers provided information on cloud top and base and the presence of fog. Vegetation in fog oases were used to confirm the results of these surveys.The Sc moves onshore into the continent with different intensities depending on season and time of day. The maximum spatial extent occurs during winter and at night. Fog is frequent in the coastal cliffs, where fog water fluxes of 7.0 L m^− 2 day^− 1 were measured using a SFC. It is less frequent 12 km inland, where the collection rates were less than 1 L m^− 2 day^− 1. The height of the fog collector above the ground affected the collection rate. The highest fog water fluxes were recorded at Alto Patache at altitudes of between 750 and 850 m a.s.l. The growth or thickness of the cloud is important in the collection of fog water. The information that GOES provides on the altitude of the top of low clouds is used to analyze this factor. Fog oases are described and analyzed in relation to how the geographical location of fog influences the growth of vegetation.     

The climate of the coast and fog zone in the Tarapacá Region, Atacama Desert, Chile

In the Atacama Desert, the narrow littoral plain and the adjacent mountain range have a unique climate. This area is locally called the “coastal desert with abundant cloudiness”, and extends from the coastline up to an elevation of 1000 m. The climate is designated as being BWn according to Köppen's Climate Classification as adapted for Chile. In the original classification the acronym (Bn) is used for foggy environments. Toward the east a “normal desert” climate (BW) is found. This is known as one of the most extreme deserts of the world. In the BWn areas there are meteorological differences between low and high elevation zones. The climate of the coastal plains and the mountains is described in this paper in order to show that there is an area where the climate differs from those classified as BWn and BW in the Chilean Climate Classification. This area is located between 650 and 1200 m a.s.l. and contains several fog oases or lomas vegetation, rich in biodiversity and endemism.The weather is warmer near sea level, with an annual average temperature of 18 °C. At high elevation sites like Alto Patache, the temperature decreases at a rate of 0.7 °C for every 100-m increase in altitude. The average annual minimum temperature often approaches 1 °C in winter, while the mean annual temperature range is significant (8.3 °C in Los Cóndores). The mean monthly relative humidity in Alto Patache is over 80%, except during the summer months. During autumn, winter and spring high elevation fog is present in the study area at altitudes ranging from 650 m up to 1060 m, giving annual water yields of 0.8 to 7 L m^− 2 day^− 1. If vegetation is used as an indicator, the foggy zone lies between 650 m a.s.l. and 1200 m a.s.l. About 70% of the mountain range experiences the foggy climate, as opposed to the coastal plains that are characterized by a cloudy climate.     

An innovative artificial fog production device improved in the European project “FOG”

Transport safety is a major goal in the European Union. Low visibility conditions, especially due to fog, increase the risk of major accidents (chain collision). Innovative products have been developed by the automotive industry, including equipment manufacturers, to increase the level of safety of car passengers and drivers. Testing of these products requires the simulation or artificial reproduction of low visibility (fog) conditions with good stability and reproducibility characteristics. We report on the results of the European Union funded “FOG” project to improve road transport safety through fog production in an experimental test chamber located at the Clermont-Ferrand laboratory for research on road safety and visibility. The project developed a prototype of a small-scale climatic chamber, an improved fog production spraying device, a laser-based visibility measurement device, a reduced scale transmissometer, and a combined indoor climate-fog production simulation software. The ability of the fog chamber to test for driver reaction was also investigated. Recent developments include a device able to produce stable visibility levels and homogeneous fog, representative of various types of natural water droplet distribution. The fog characteristics were determined and compared to natural fog. Results are presented for a selection of conditions including stabilized visibility levels for dense fog and two kinds of droplet distributions.     

渤海北部沿海近岸雾的特征分析

分析了渤海北部沿海近岸营口站和熊岳站海雾的时间分布和地理分布等。结果表明：1954-2007年渤海北部沿海近岸两站浓雾日数呈递增趋势,两站白天递增趋势均强于夜间, 熊岳站通过0.05显著性检验;1954-2007年沿海近岸两站的轻雾日数整日、白天和夜间均呈递增趋势,并通过0.01显著性检验;渤海北部沿海近岸的浓雾逐月分布集中在11月至翌年2月;渤海北部沿岸海雾的逐时分布集中,出现频率最高的时间是06-08时。     

Exploring fog as a supplementary water source in Namibia

Namibia is an arid country where many rural and urban centres depend on ephemeral rivers for their water supply. These water sources are, however, limited and display seasonal salinisation. Fog occurs along the coast and extends for some distance inland, and it could be used as a source of drinking water. Data on groundwater salinisation and fog deposition were collected at villages of the indigenous communities and at the Gobabeb Training and Research Centre (GTRC) in the Central Namib Desert. Fog collection experiments were done with Standard Fog Collectors (SFCs) and 1-m² fog collectors made from the Raschel mesh that is used in SFCs from 1996 onwards. The results indicate that fog occurs throughout the year and that it has low major ion concentrations (chemical composition). The period of high fog deposition coincides with that of high groundwater salinity and would suit mixing of the two waters to provide water of good drinking quality to people in these areas. In conclusion, fog is a viable source of water in the Namib and could supplement traditional sources in rural settlements and perhaps also in urban water supply schemes in this region as in other parts of the world where it is used as a source of drinking water.

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The implementation of fog water collection systems in South Africa

Two fog water collection systems (FWCS) have been implemented in South Africa. Both are located in areas where communities experience acute water shortages but which are prone to frequent fog episodes. The first was located at a high elevation site at the Tshanowa Junior Primary (JP) School in the Soutpansberg located in the Northern Province and the other near a small rural community at Lepelfontein along the West Coast. The former represents a mountainous site, while the latter is located on a low level coastal plain. The principal aim of the projects was to implement operational FWCSs to supply the communities with water. During the period 1999 to 2001 the total recorded cloud water yields at the Tshanowa JP School and Lepelfontein water collection sites were in the region of 72 422 and 148 691 l, respectively. This is equivalent to just over 2 l m⁻² day⁻¹ at the Tshanowa JP School and 4.6 l m⁻² day⁻¹ at the Lepelfontein site. Despite the relatively low average daily yields recorded, the total water volume collected on a particular day may be considerable. In fact, at both sites the maximum daily yield exceeded 3800 l. Fog deposition accounted for around 25% and 88% of the total water yield measured at the Tshanowa JP School and Lepelfontein sites, respectively. Both experiments indicated that fog water collection holds considerable potential as an alternative water source in the mountainous regions and along the West Coast of South Africa.     

Trends in fog frequencies in the Los Angeles Basin

Data from throughout the Los Angeles area were examined to determine the horizontal distribution of dense fog (visibility < 400 m) in the region and trends over time. The relationship between the occurrence of dense fog to the phase of two atmosphere–ocean cycles: the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) measured by the PDO Index and the Southern Oscillation measured by the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) was investigated. In addition, the influence of the urban heat island and the amount of suspended particulate matter were assessed. For the three stations that had 22 or more years of data, we examined trends and the relation to atmosphere–ocean cycles. Results show a decrease in the occurrence of very low visibilities (< 400 m) at the stations in close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Long Beach International Airport (LGB). Occurrence of the frequency of low visibilities at these two locations was also highly correlated with the phase of the PDO. Only a weak, non-statistically significant relationship was seen with the SOI. At Burbank, a reporting station about 30 km from the ocean, no trends were noted, and there was no evidence of a correlation with either the PDO Index or the SOI. In the Los Angeles Central Business District (CBD) when comparing dense fog occurrence in the early 1960s to a similar period in the early 2000s we saw a decrease in dense fog from a mean of 10 h per year to a mean of 3 h per year. Also contributing to the decrease was decreasing particulate pollution and increased urban warming. A downward trend in particulate concentrations coupled with an upward trend in urban temperatures were associated with a decrease in dense fog occurrence at both LAX and LGB. These trends were evident for the period 1966–1997, but appear to have ended by the late 1990s.     

Temporal and spatial variations of fog in the Western Sudety Mts., Poland

The ridges of the Western Sudety are well exposed to the humid maritime air masses that are mainly associated with westerly atmospheric circulation. Fog is the most frequently observed atmospheric phenomenon, being present on average 45% of the time, with 250–300 days with fog per year. This study on temporal variation of fog in both daily and annual cycles is based on 30 years of measurements (1961–1990) made on Mt. Szrenica at 1362 m a.s.l.Based on the data from 51 meteorological stations and the results of fog deposition field measurements, a digital model of fog frequency in the Western Sudety was prepared using a Geographic Information System. The model shows that altitude is not the only important factor controlling fog frequency. Such parameters as slope aspect and position of a particular site in relation to local and regional morphology are also of crucial importance.     

沈大高速公路雾气候特征与气象要素分析

利用1958—2007年沈大高速公路沿线6站雾日资料对沈大高速公路雾的气候特征及气象要素进行分析。结果表明：沿海地区雾日偏多,且总体呈上升趋势,内陆地区雾日偏少,且呈下降趋势。内陆地区雾多出现在秋冬季,沿海地区多出现在夏季。雾多在凌晨至日出前后时段生成,日出后逐渐消散,持续时间多为1—3 h。相对湿度、气温、风速和风向对雾的预报有较好指示意义：当相对湿度在90%—100%时,春季气温为-5—15 ℃、夏季为16—24 ℃、秋季为-3~19℃、内陆冬季为-20~2 ℃,沿海冬季为-7~4 ℃范围内,内陆风速为0—3 m&#8226;s-1,沿海风速为0—6 m&#8226;s-1,且沿海地区为偏南风时,雾易发生。     

最近40年中国雾日数和霾日数的气候变化特征

根据1971～2010年567个中国地面观测站点的雾日数和霾日数资料,分析了我国雾日数和霾日数的空间分布、季节变化以及年代际变化特征,并且利用REOF（旋转经验函数正交）分解对雾日数进行气候区划。结果表明：（1）雾主要分布在东南沿海地区、四川盆地地区、湘黔交界、山东沿海以及云南南部等地区。霾主要集中于华北、河南以及珠三角和长三角地区。（2）在季节变化上：秋、冬季雾和霾的分布大于春夏。（3）雾日数和霾日数年代际变化明显,雾日数在20世纪70至90年代较多,20世纪90年代以后减少;霾日数自2001年以来急剧增长。（4）雾日数可以共可分为10个区,其中华北区、川渝区以及长江中下游区是雾出现频率较高的几个重点区域。     

基于MTSAT卫星遥感监测的浙江省及周边海区大雾分布特征

利用日本静止气象卫星MTSAT逐时资料,综合地面气象观测数据,对浙江省及其周边海区陆地和海上2008—2012年的大雾进行了专题信息提取,并给出了浙江省陆域、周边海域0.05°×0.05°网格点的小时尺度的遥感大雾产品,结果表明:(1)基于MTSAT卫星观测数据,采用分级判识太阳高度角阈值和归一化大雾指数的方法,构建的浙江及其周边地区陆地和海上遥感大雾监测模型,大雾判识精度总体超过75%,基本满足使用需求。(2)浙江省陆域近5年大雾年平均累计为411.7 h,约占全年的4.7%,基本呈南多北少,山区多平原少的格局,其中浙江南部高山区、舟山和温州部分海岛及西部山区为大雾多发区,且大雾季节分布为冬秋季较多,春夏季较少,22时至09时是浙江省陆域大雾的高发时段,10时以后大雾逐渐消散,至后半夜、凌晨前后,大雾频次逐渐增多。(3)研究区海雾主要发生在大陆近海,呈现由近海向外海减少的空间格局,东海海域年大雾累计为311.7 h,以东海西南部地区大雾出现最多,浙江省沿海大雾的高发区位于温州海域及钱塘江口。研究区海域大雾具有明显的季节特征,主要表现为春季较多,夏季次之,秋冬季较少的分布格局,且海上主要受平流雾影响,大雾不易消散,持续时间较长。从各海区大雾发生频次从高到低依次为:东海东南部、台湾以东洋面、东海中东部、黄海西南部、东海中西部、台湾海峡、东海西北部、黄海东南部、东海西南部和东海东北部。     

江苏省雾的集中程度及其气候趋势研究

引入雾的集中期和集中度的方法,对江苏省59个地面观测站1961—2007雾的发生频次资料进行了分析研究,得出了近47 a来江苏雾的时空分布特征及其相关统计结果。研究表明,集中度和集中期能够明显地分辨江苏省雾的时空分布非均匀特性。江苏省雾集中度呈现南北高、中间低的特点;集中期在47 a中出现较大波动。采用EOF方法分别对雾日数、集中度和集中期的距平值进行分析,其第一特征向量表现为同相位;其中雾日数的第一时间系数在1980s前后出现峰值,集中度和集中期距平值的第一时间系数表现为先减小后增大的总体趋势。通过气候趋势系数的计算表明苏北地区除4站点外均呈上升趋势。     

江苏省雾霾天气特征分析

根据2007年1月—2013年12月江苏省国家基准气候站的逐日地面观测资料,分析了江苏省雾、霾日数的气候变化特征以及霾天气发生时的主要气象要素场特征。结果表明:(1)雾日数分布从江苏省东部向西部逐渐减少,霾分布由南向北逐渐递减。(2)年际变化上,雾日数呈现一定的波动,霾日数逐年增长。秋、冬两季雾日数较多;霾日数在夏季最少。雾、霾天气分别在08时和14时发生次数最多。(3)淮安中度霾居多,微风、高湿情况下霾发生概率最高,不同季节风向分布不同。(4)风速与能见度成正相关关系,春、夏季的相关性较差,秋、冬季相关性相对较好。能见度与相对湿度春、冬两季两者之间呈明显的线性负相关,而夏、秋季拟合曲线呈非线性负相关。     

Estimation of fog deposition on epiphytic bryophytes in a subtropical montane forest ecosystem in northeastern Taiwan

The fog meteorology, fog chemistry and fog deposition on epiphytic bryophytes were investigated from July 2000 to June 2001 in the Yuanyang Lake forest ecosystem. The elevation of the site ranges from 1650 to 2420 m, at which the high frequency of fog occurrence throughout the year has been thought to be of benefit to the establishment of the primary Taiwan yellow cypress forest [Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana (Hayata) Rehder] and to the extensive growth of the epiphytic bryophytes. A weather station including a visibility sensor and an active fog collector was installed for fog meteorological and chemical study. The fog deposition rate on epiphytic bryophytes was estimated by measuring the increase rate in plant weight when exposed to fog. Average fog duration of 4.7 and 11.0 h per day was measured in summer months (June to August) and the rest of the year, respectively. November 2000 was the foggiest month in which the average fog duration reached 14.9 h per day. The ionic composition of fog water revealed that the area was less polluted than expected from literature data. The in situ exposure experiments done with the dominant epiphytic bryophytes showed an average fog deposition rate of 0.63 g H₂O g⁻¹ d. w. h⁻¹, which approximated 0.17 mm h⁻¹ at the stand scale. The nutrient fluxes estimated for February 2001 showed that for all ions, more than 50% of the ecosystem input was through fog deposition. These results demonstrate the importance of epiphytic bryophytes and fog deposition in nutrient cycling of this subtropical montane forest ecosystem. The incorporation of fog study in the long-term ecosystem research projects is necessary in this area.     

Sulfate-coated dust particles in the free troposphere over Japan

Airborne aerosol collections were performed over Wakasa bay (36°00′N, 135°30′E) in March and Kumano open sea (34°00′N, 136°50′E) and Seto (35°10′N, 137°10′E) in July 2001 at altitudes between 1.0 and 5.8 km. The particles were individually analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Relatively large mineral-dust (mostly clay) particles were abundant in the March samples. They also dominated in July in the mid-troposphere higher than 4 km altitude, whereas sea salt and ammonium sulfate were more abundant at lower altitudes. Ca-coated grid samples show many traces of aqueous sulfate droplets. The proportions of former sulfate droplets to the total collected particles apparently increased with increasing relative humidity at the time of sampling. TEM analysis revealed that a significant fraction of these former droplets enclose mineral-dust particles as well as sea salt, soot, and fly ash. Some enclose mixtures of mineral-dust, sea-salt, soot, and fly ash particles. The results provide evidence that mineral dust from the Asian continent could acquire coatings of sulfate while being transported in the free troposphere. The mineral-dust particles probably acquired the sulfate coatings either through heterogeneous uptake of gaseous SO₂ and subsequent oxidation or through coagulation with cloud or fog droplets. The presence of the mixed particles in sulfate droplets also indicates that aggregation of particles of different origins occurred through cloud processing. Such sulfate-coated dust particles would affect cloud formation, precipitation, and chemistry of the free troposphere.     

The chemical composition of rainwater over Büyükçekmece Lake, Istanbul

In the present study, the precipitation near Büyükçekmece Lake, which is one of the important drinking water sources of Istanbul city, was studied during October 2001–July 2002. Seventy-nine bulk precipitation samples were collected at two sampling stations near the Lake (41°2′35″N, 28°35′25″E and 41°5′30″N, 28°37′7″E). The study comprised the determination of H⁺, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, NH₄⁺, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Al, Ba, Fe, Cu and Mn concentrations in bulk deposition rain event samples. The average volume-weighted pH value was found to be 4.81, which points out that the rain is slightly acidic. High sulfate concentrations were observed together with high H⁺ ion values. Sulfur emissions were the major cause for the observed high hydrogen ion levels. On the basis of factor analysis and correlation matrix analysis, it has been found that in this region, acid neutralization is brought about by calcium rather than the ammonium ion. The varimax rotated factor analysis grouped the variables into four factors, which are crustal, marine and two anthropogenic sources.     

A satellite-based climatology of fog and low-level stratus in Germany and adjacent areas

A 10-year fog climatology of Germany and adjacent areas, based on NOAA-Advanced Very High-Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) data, is presented. Maximum fog frequency is obtained for the Lake Constance area; minimum fog occurrence, accounting for basins and river valleys, is located in the Lower Rhine area. This is a transition zone between coastal advection fog and the more continental radiation fog of the lower mountain range. Fog persistence is estimated by a comparison of night and day maps. Using the bispectral approach of Nakajima and Nakajima [J. Atmos. Sci. 52, (1995) 4043], the potential of weather satellite data for climatologies of fog's optical and microphysical properties is examined. Maps of fog optical depth, effective radius and liquid water path (LWP) are computed from well-illuminated noon images and the resulting data set is statistically evaluated. Typical features of advection fog are obtained for the coastal areas of the North and Baltic Seas, while the fog of the pre-Alpine basins reveals characteristics of continental radiation fog. The results are in general accordance with field observations of various sources.     

抚州市大雾天气气候概况及气象要素特征分析

利用地面观测资料,对抚州市1959-2009年大雾天气气候概况及气象要素特征进行分析。结果表明,抚州市大雾年平均日数冬春季多、夏秋季少,大雾主要集中在10月到翌年4月;大雾区域分布极不均匀,东多西少,南多北少,山区谷地多平原少;大雾日数随着年代的推移总体呈逐渐减少趋势,平均以1.8d(/10a)的速度减少;大雾日数存在3-6a、12-15a和19-22a的周期变化;大雾存在明显的日变化特征,02-07时是大雾多发时段。当气温为0-10℃、相对湿度为85%-95%、风速为0-3m/s、气压为1005-1 015 hPa时,出现大雾的频率最高。一年中以辐射雾最多,占77.5%;其次是平流-辐射雾,占17.4%;平流雾仅占5.1%。     

四川省大雾时空分布特征研究

采用1986~2007年四川省157个站22年大雾资料,初步统计分析了四川省大雾时空分布特征。结果表明:年平均雾日数最多的主要在四川盆地;雾日有明显的季节和月际变化,春、夏季年均雾日数较少,分布范围较小,秋、冬季年均雾日数较多,分布较广;雾大多开始于晚上20时~次日早上8时,结束于8~12时;其中持续0~3小时的大雾所占比例最大。近22年雾日年际变化趋势:约40%的观测站呈显著下降趋势,且分布集中在四川盆地,有少数的站点呈显著上升趋势。