Fog: What is and how is it formed

The fog is a Meteorological phenomenon consisting of suspension of tiny water drops in the air, very close to the earth’s surface. These tiny water particles are scattered in the atmosphere, reducing visibility and creating a sense of opacity in the environment.

The fog forms when The air cools and reaches its dew pointwhich is the temperature at which the water vapor is condensed in liquid drops. This usually occurs when humid air comes into contact with cold surfaces, such as soil or water. During the night and in the early hours of the morning, when the temperature descends, it is common for fog, especially in areas close to bodies of water such as rivers, lakes or seas.

The fog can vary in density and durationfrom a slight mist that barely affect visibility to a dense fog that reduces vision to just a few meters. This phenomenon can have a significant impact on driving and navigation, since it reduces visibility drastically and makes vehicles or vessels less effective.

During the coldest months of autumn and winter, as well as in certain summer mornings, it is not uncommon for fog. During these moments, our visibility decreases, resulting in a landscape of turned off and an opaque atmosphere that prevents us from seeing in the distance. The effect of fog is similar to being inside a cloud, where the outside world becomes more difficult to see. However, when one is inside the fog, it is possible that it does not even realize that it is surrounded by condensed water vapor.

It is created when The water vapor of the atmosphere is condensedforming small drops of water They are too light to overcome air resistance. For this to happen, water vapor must enter Contact with an frozen air current. This process makes the steam condense and transforms into drops of water, resulting in fog formation.

Similar to how rain drops arise, fog requires the presence of small solid particles to merge and form. As a result, it is common to find fog along the beach in the morning hours, since the air is colder and the salt suspended in the air serves as a condensation nucleus, allowing the water vapor to take shape of drops. In urban areas, the fog is formed when water vapor binds to dust or polluting motorcycles.

The creation of fog depends both on the environment and the place where we are. Variables like The wind, temperature, humidity and cloudiness They can affect fog formation. When moisture in a specific area is high, the probability that fog is formed increases due to the greatest amount of water vapor present in the atmosphere. On the contrary, the presence of wind in a region can hinder fog formation, since it will displace water vapor and hinder its ability to freeze around a central nucleus.

There are several types of atmospheric fog, each of which is formed in specific weather conditions:

• Radiation fog: This type of fog forms on clear and windless nights when the earth’s surface cools quickly due to the infrared radiation emitted towards space. The air close to the surface cools and condenses the water vapor, creating a fog that extends from the ground up. It is usually dissipated as the sun heats the surface during the day.
• SUPPLICATION FOST: It occurs when warm and humid air moves on a colder surface, such as a cold water or a cold earth surface, as in coastal regions. The contact between warm and humid air and the cold surface causes the condensation of water vapor in the form of fog. It can be persistent and last several hours or even days.
• Evaporation fog: It is formed when the relatively cold air passes on a warmer water surface, such as a lake or a river. The warmer water evaporates and rises to the coldest air, condensing in small drops of fog. It is often seen in fresh mornings on bodies of water.
• Mix fog: It occurs when two air masses with different temperatures and moisture are mixed. The warmer and more humid air cools when it comes into contact with the coldest air, resulting in fog formation. It is common in mountainous regions.
• Smoke fog: It is formed when smoke particles, such as those produced by forest fires or biomass burning, mixed with wet air. These particles act as condensation nuclei, which can lead to the formation of small drops of fog.

Although fog, mist and mist are closely related concepts between them, great differences can be found. We will establish the differences for the density, formation and danger it can have:

Fog

• Density: The fog is the densest and thickening of the three. It can reduce visibility to less than 1 kilometer, often even just a few meters away.
• Training: The fog forms when the air cools and reaches its dew point, which leads to the condensation of water vapor in small drops. It is more common during clear and windless nights, when the surface cools quickly.
• Danger: The fog can have a significant impact on driving and navigation, since it drastically reduces visibility and may require the use of special lights and additional caution.

Mist

• Density: The mist is less dense than fog and generally allows visibility of 1 to 2 kilometers. The mist is lighter and less opaque than the fog.
• Training: The mist form similar to the fog, with the condensation of water vapor in small drops, but is usually less dense and persistent.
• Danger: The mist can reduce visibility on the road, but it is generally less dangerous than dense fog.

Haze

• Density: The mist is the least dense of the three and generally allows a visibility of more than 2 kilometers. It is the lighter and less disturbing vision.
• Training: Bruma consists of even smaller water particles than fog and fog. It is often formed on bodies of water and is due to the evaporation of water that is then suspended in the air in the form of small particles.
• Danger: The mist has a minimum impact on visibility and is usually less worrying in terms of road or sea safety.

After knowing better what fog is, how it occurs and more details, we recommend you read these other articles about what evaporation of water and examples and what is condensation of water and examples.

If you want to read more articles similar to Fog: What is and how is it formedwe recommend that you enter our category of meteorological phenomena.