A Detailed Analysis of the Influence of Eddy Exchange Processes upon the Development of Radiation Fog.
Abstract
After decades of theoretical development, fog models have evolved to the point of qualitative agreement with observations. Current models are capable of simulating observed quasi-periodic oscillations in fog variables as well as the various stages of fog growth. It is now anticipated that continued efforts towards greater model sophistication will lead to at least limited quantitative agreement with observations and improved predictive capability. Application of very high resolution Landsat digital data to fog episodes has revealed the stratocumulus nature of fog. That other satellite imagery has shown little hint of this cellular structure is due to the fact that the fog elements are generally smaller than the spatial resolution available on these satellite platforms. The ratio of wavelength between cells and the height of the boundary layer is in agreement with values obtained for Benard cells and longitudinal rolls in cloud systems. The processes occurring in fogs are similar, but on a smaller scale, to those responsible for these boundary layer cloud systems. Therefore, further studies of fog processes are expected to provide quantitative information concerning the processes responsible for Benard cells, longitudinal rolls and cloud top entrainment instability. Keywords: Atmosphere models; Radiation; Turbulence; Exchange; Periodic oscillations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA169233
Entities
People
- Ronald M. Welch
Organizations
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology