Marine Fog Studies Off the California Coast
Abstract
For the third consecutive year, measurements of the microphysical and micrometeorological characteristics of marine fog occurring off theCalifornia coast were obtained. Observations have shown that marine fog may form at sea off the West Coast in the following manner: (1) by the lowering of a stratus base to the surface; (2) by the advection of cold nearly saturated air over warmer water; (3) by formation in coastal valleys and advection onto protected bays via land breeze drainage; (4) associated with low-level mesoscale convergence and subsequent vertical motions; and (5) in organized patterns of small fog patches occurring at the upwind edge of fog-stratus systems. While boundary layer exchange processes may be responsible in some instances for triggering fog formation, data are presented which conclusively demonstrate the importance of radiative processes at fog top and dynamic effects, such as mesoscale convergence patterns, in promoting fog development and persistence. Data are also presented which describe the mesoscale organization of fog-stratus systems which frequently occur off the West Coast. These observations show that organized "streets" of fog patches at the upwind edge of fog-stratus systems are responsible for accelerated conditioning of the air mass for more extensive fog formation closer to the coast.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA016958
Entities
People
- Eugene J. Mack
- Roland J. Pilie
- Ulrich Katz
Organizations
- Calspan