Fog map. American meteorologists have created a new weather model for mountainous areas

December 31, 11:02 Share:

The Heber Valley in northern Utah was the site of the study (Photo: University of Utah)

A team of physicists from the University of Utah, led by Professor of Atmospheric Sciences Zhaoxia Pu, presented the results of their research on the formation of fog in mountain valleys.

In the project's boundaries “ Cold fog on difficult terrain” ( CFACT) scientists have been studying the cold fog cycle, seeking to understand the physical processes that lead to its formation.

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Fog, one of the most mysterious meteorological phenomena, is created and dissipated near the earth's surface as a result of fluctuations in air temperature and humidity interacting with the landscape. Improving fog forecasting is important for travel safety, as fog often poses a threat to visibility and can lead to accidents.

Physicists using the CFACT project have collected extensive data on cold fog in a northern Utah valley.. Data collection methods included tall towers with various instruments, satellite recording, and nine periods of intensive observation.. The research included studying physical processes such as surface inversion, ice crystal formation and moisture advection.

Fog, like clouds near the ground, is difficult to forecast, and current numerical weather forecasting models are proving ineffective in solving this problem. Scientists say more detailed computer models and more data are needed to more accurately predict fog.

The study, published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, breaks new ground in our understanding of the physical processes behind fog formation and could lead to more effective methods for predicting it in the future.