Studying Cold Fog in Mountainous Terrains
January 6, 2025
National Science Foundation
Cold fog is a common weather phenomenon in mountainous terrains, and it can have a significant impact on local climate, ecosystem, and human activities. However, the formation and evolution of cold fog in complex terrain is still poorly understood.
To address this knowledge gap, a team of researchers from the University of California, Davis, has launched a new field campaign to study cold fog in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. The campaign, which is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), will use a combination of ground-based measurements, airborne observations, and numerical modeling to investigate the microphysical, dynamical, and thermodynamical processes that control cold fog formation and evolution.
The field campaign is taking place during the winter months, when cold fog is most common in the Sierra Nevada. The researchers are using a variety of instruments to measure the fog’s microphysical properties, such as its droplet size distribution and liquid water content. They are also using Doppler lidar and radar to measure the fog’s wind speed and direction.
In addition to the ground-based measurements, the researchers are also using an aircraft to collect airborne observations of the fog. The aircraft is equipped with a variety of sensors to measure the fog’s temperature, humidity, and wind speed. The researchers are also using the aircraft to release tracers into the fog, which will allow them to track the fog’s movement and evolution.
The data collected during the field campaign will be used to develop and validate numerical models of cold fog formation and evolution. These models will be used to improve our understanding of the processes that control cold fog, and they will also be used to predict the impacts of climate change on cold fog.
The results of the field campaign are expected to have a significant impact on our understanding of cold fog in mountainous terrains. The findings will also be used to improve weather forecasting and climate models, and they will help to inform land use planning and decision-making in mountainous regions.
Additional Information
- The field campaign is being led by Dr. Peter McWilliams, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of California, Davis.
- The campaign is funded by a $1.5 million grant from the NSF’s Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences.
- The campaign will run through the winter of 2025-2026.
- The researchers are working in collaboration with the National Weather Service, the California Air Resources Board, and the U.S. Forest Service.
Studying cold fog in mountainous terrains
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