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The physics of radiation fog: II – a numerical study
Author(s) -
Brown R.,
Roach W. T.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
quarterly journal of the royal meteorological society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.744
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1477-870X
pISSN - 0035-9009
DOI - 10.1002/qj.49710243205
Subject(s) - radiation , meteorology , environmental science , physics , atmospheric sciences , nuclear physics
Studies of a numerical model of fog are presented. These indicate that: (i) For given initial conditions, a reduction in turbulent diffusion leads to earlier and thicker fog formation. (ii) The formation and growth of fog on a realistic time scale is simulated by the inclusion of radiative cooling due to water vapour and carbon dioxide and (when formed) fog droplets. (iii) The inclusion of gravitational settling is necessary to simulate realistic liquid water contents. (iv) The nature of the underlying surface (through its thermal properties) influences the time of onset of fog.The effect of cloud cover and of solar insolation on dispersing fog was assessed. These results are broadly consistent with, and help to account for, the results of a parallel field study by Roach, Brown, Caughey, Garland and Readings (1976).