EG1204: Earth Systems: an introduction

1. EG1204: Earth Systems: an introduction Meteorology and Climate Lecture 4 Fog and Cloud formation

2. Topics we will cover • Formation of fog • Formation of clouds • Cloud types • Observing cloud

3. Formation of FOG #1 • The process of condensation that forms fog and clouds is not so simple. It is not simply the case that saturation (dew point) must be reached • There must be airborne particles on which water vapour can condense

4. Formation of FOG #2 • Although air looks clean - it never really is. Air contains many tiny particles (impurities) • many of these particles serve as a surface on which condensation can occur • These particles are called condensation nuclei • Some condensation nuclei are very small with a radius of < 0.2µm (Aitken nuclei) • Particles 0.2 - 1µm are called large nuclei • Particles > 1µm giant nuclei

5. Formation of FOG #3 • As the relative humidity reaches 75 - 100% (saturation) water condenses onto condensation nuclei • As the air cools and becomes more saturated the droplets of suspended condensed water get larger until visible to the naked eye • We can see these clouds of droplets as fog

6. Radiation fog

7. Formation of FOG #4 • City air (with its extra impurities) produces a thicker fog as there are more condensation nuclei • London often suffered from very thick fog as a result of pollution and industrial activity until legislation was introduced early in the 20th century

8. City fog – exacerbated by pollutant particulates

9. Formation of FOG #5 • Fog often forms near the ground on a natural surface (e.g. football pitch) • This is exacerbated on clear nights when radiation leaves rapidly and cools the ground down and the moist air directly above it • This is known as radiation fog

10. Formation of FOG #7 • Fog mayform when warm moist air travels over a cold surface. This is known as advection fog • Fog may form by the mixing of two unsaturated air masses - called evaporation (mixing) fog. It forms when cold unsaturated air settles over warm water from which water may be evaporating - explains why fogs form over lakes and ponds in summer

11. Advection Fog in a valley

12. Formation of Clouds #2 • Cloud formation may be convectional, orographic or frontal  • Convectional clouds form when moist air is carried upwards by the action of vertical convection (due to solar heating of the surface). Moist air cools as it ascends until it becomes saturated. At the point of saturation, the moist air condenses to form cloud (Convectional Condensation Level)

13. Formation of Clouds #3 • Strong surface heating where there is very moist air can lead to the development of intense storm clouds - so called "anvil shaped" structures that produce large amounts of precipitation

14. Formation of Clouds #4 • Orographic cloud forms when moist air is forced upwards - usually when it flows over a plateau or mountain. The air forced upslopecools until it becomes saturated forming clouds near to or above the mountainous structure (Lifting Condensation Level). • The air (now free of moisture) flows down the lee side of the mountain at a higher temperature as energy lost during condensation is carried away by the wind. Rainfall usually occurs on the lee side, forming a rain shadow on the upslope side.

15. Formation of Clouds #5 • With frontal cloud formation, moist warm air is forced above cooler air (the cooler air acting like a wedge). As this moist air is forced upwards it cools until the air becomes saturated and condenses into clouds. The clouds are usually easily seen as a visible ridge along the line of an active front.

16. Formation of Clouds #6 • When winds are forced to converge at low level (the ITCZ near the equator for example) air will be forced upwards where it cools and condenses. This is known as convergence clouds and explains why the equatorial ITCZ is visible from space as a zone of active cloud systems along the equator.

17. Cloud Types

18. Ice crystals No precipitation

19. Altocumulus Cloud Water and Ice clouds – usually bring precipitation After 15 – 20 hours

20. Stratus Cloud Typically overcast or drizzle conditions

21. Cumulus Cloud Associated with gusty winds and heavy precipitation

22. ITCZ (Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone)

23. Observing Cloud #1 • Clouds are observed at regular intervals at ground stations • The degree of cloud cover in the sky is expressed as oktas (or eighths) • A value of 4 oktas would mean that about half (50%) of the sky was covered with cloud • A value of 8 oktas means that the entire sky is cloud-covered (totally overcast)

24. Observing Cloud #2 • Sometimes it is preferable to estimate the cloud cover for the three main layers of the troposphere (low, middle and high)