Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Boundary Layer Features of One Winter Fog in the Yangtze River Delta, China

  • Published:
Pure and Applied Geophysics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The goal of this work is to analyze the boundary layer features and large-scale synoptic conditions affecting fog conditions over two adjacent meteorological sites (Taicang and Xiangcheng near the Yangtze River Delta). These sites had significant differences in moisture advection conditions and inversion layer intensity during this fog episode which occurred during November 24–25, 2018. A cold high pressure center moving eastward was linked to the fog. The surface convergence line moved, resulting in a significant difference in fog formation and maintenance between the two stations. Another is that a surface inversion capped the fog layer. The surface inversion layer at Taicang formed between 17:00 and 08:00 LST (local time) under the influence of moist cold air advection. During inversion formation, its top height reached 200 m, and the maximum inversion gradient was 2.0 °C 100 m−1. Xiangcheng was under the influence of a weak convergence area before the formation of the dense fog; therefore, inversion failed to occur. Results suggest that during large-scale fog events, the formation and development of fog in different regions can be dominated by the physical processes occurring. It is concluded that large-scale and mesoscale conditions interact extensively with each other, characterizing the fog life cycle. This result is supported by the fog layer thickness (50 m versus 200 m) that occurred at the two nearby locations of Taicang and Xiangcheng stations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Chen, S., Liu, D. Y., Kang, Z. M., Shi, Y., & Liu, M. (2021). Anomalous atmospheric circulation associated with the extremely persistent dense fog events over eastern China in the late autumn of 2018. Atmosphere, 12(1), 111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choi, H., & Speer, M. S. (2006). The influence of synoptic-mesoscale winds and sea surface temperature distribution on fog formation near the Korean western peninsula. Meteorological Applications, 13(4), 347–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dupont, J. C., Haeffelin, M., Protat, A., Bouniol, D., Boyouk, N., & Morille, Y. (2012). Stratus-fog formation and dissipation: A 6-day case study. Boundary-Layer Meteorology., 143(1), 207–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gultepe, I. (2007) Fog and boundary layer clouds: introduction. In: Fog and Boundary Layer Clouds: Fog Visibility and Forecasting, pp 1115–1116.

  • Gultepe, I., & Zhou, B. (2012). FTS (Fog To Snow) conversion process during the SNOW-V10 project. Pure and Applied Geophysics, 169(5), 783–791.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gultepe, I., Fernando, H. J. S., Pardyjak, E. R., Hoch, S. W., Silver, Z., Creegan, E., Leo, L. S., Pu, Z., De Wekker, S. F. J., & Hang, C. (2016). An overview of the materhorn fog project: Observations and predictability. Pure and Applied Geophysics, 173(9), 2983–3010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gultepe, I., Pearson, G., Milbrandt, J. A., Hansen, B., Platnick, S., Taylor, P., Gordon, M., Oakley, J. P., & Cober, S. G. (2009). The fog remote sensing and modeling field project. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 90(3), 341–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gultepe, I., Tardif, R., Michaelides, S. C., Cermak, J., Bott, A., Bendix, J., Müller, M. D., Pagowski, M., Hansen, B., Ellrod, G., Jacobs, W., Toth, G., & Cober, S. G. (2007). Fog research: A review of past achievements and future perspectives. Pure & Applied Geophysics, 164(6/7), 1121–1159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han, S. Q., Cai, Z. Y., Zhang, Y. F., Wang, J., Yao, Q., Li, P. Y., & Li, X. J. (2015). Long-term trends in fog and boundary layer characteristics in Tianjin, China. Particuology, 20, 61–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han, S. Q., Liu, J. L., Hao, T. Y., Zhang, Y. F., Li, P. Y., Yang, J. B., Wang, Q. L., Cai, Z. Y., Yao, Q., Zhang, M., & Wang, X. J. (2018). Boundary layer structure and scavenging effect during a typical winter haze-fog episode in a core city of BTH region, China. Atmospheric Environment, 179, 187–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heo, K. Y., Ha, K. J., Mahrt, L., & Shim, J. S. (2010). Comparison of advection and steam fogs: From direct observation over the sea. Atmospheric Research, 98, 426–437.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, H. J., Liu, H. N., Jiang, W. W., Huang, J., & Mao, W. K. (2011). Characteristics of the boundary layer structure of sea fog on the coast of Southern China. Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, 28(6), 1377–1389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, H. J., Zhan, G. W., Liu, C. X., Tu, J., & Mao, W. K. (2016). A case study of numerical simulation of sea fog on the Southern China coast. Journal of Tropical Meteorology, 22(04), 497–507.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, C. K., & Yum, S. S. (2010). Local meteorological and synoptic characteristics of fogs formed over Incheon international airport in the west coast of Korea. Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, 27(4), 761–776.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, C. K., & Yum, S. S. (2012a). Marine boundary layer structure for the sea fog formation off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula. Pure and Applied Geophysics, 169(5/6), 1121–1135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, C. K., & Yum, S. S. (2012b). A numerical study of sea-fog formation over cold sea surface using a one-dimensional turbulence model coupled with the weather research and forecasting model. Boundary-Layer Meteorology, 143(3), 481–505.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Korain, D., Businger, J., Dorman, C., & Lewis, J. (2005). Formation, evolution, and dissipation of coastal sea fog. Boundary-Layer Meteorology, 117(3), 447–478.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z., Liu, D. Y., Yan, W. L., Wang, H. B., Zhu, C. Y., Zhu, Y. Y., & Zu, F. (2019). Dense fog burst reinforcement over Eastern China: A review. Atmospheric Research, 230, 104639.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, D. Y., Li, Z., Yan, W. L., & Li, Y. (2017). Advances in fog microphysics research in China. Asia-Pacific Journal of Atmospheric Sciences, 53(1), 131–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, D. Y., Niu, S. J., Yang, J., Zhao, L. J., Lv, J. J., & Lu, C. S. (2012). Summary of a 4-year fog field study in northern Nanjing, Part 1: Fog boundary layer. Pure and Applied Geophysics, 169(5/6), 809–819.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, D. Y., Pu, M. J., Yang, J., Zhang, G. Z., Yan, W. L., & Li, Z. H. (2010). Microphysical structure and evolution of a four-day persistent fog event in Nanjing in December 2006. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 24(1), 104–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, D. Y., Yan, W. L., Yang, J., Pu, M. J., Niu, S. J., & Li, Z. H. (2016). A study of the physical processes of an advection fog boundary layer. Boundary-Layer Meteorology., 158(1), 125–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, D. Y., Yang, J., Niu, S. J., & Li, Z. H. (2011). On the evolution and structure of a radiation fog event in Nanjing. Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, 28(1), 223–237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, C. S., Niu, S. J., Tang, L. L., Lv, J. J., Zhao, L. J., & Zhu, B. (2010). Chemical composition of fog water in Nanjing area of China and its related fog microphysics. Atmospheric Research, 97(1–2), 47–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, C. S., Niu, S. J., Yue, P., Yue, Z. G., & Xiang, L. (2011). Observational research on boundary layer structure during high incidence period of winter fog in Nanjing. Transactions of Atmospheric Sciences., 34(1), 58–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Menut, L., Mailler, S., Dupont, J.-C., Haeffelin, M., & Elias, T. (2014). Predictability of the meteorological conditions favourable to radiative fog formation during the 2011 ParisFog Campaign. Boundary-Layer Meteorology, 150(2), 277–297.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niu, S. J., Liu, D. Y., Zhao, L. J., Lu, C. S., Lv, J. J., & Yang, J. (2012). Summary of a 4-year fog field study in northern Nanjing, part 2: Fog microphysics. Pure and Applied Geophysics, 169(5/6), 1137–1155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niu, S. J., Lu, C. S., Liu, Y. G., Zhao, L. J., Lv, J. J., & Yang, J. (2010). Analysis of the microphysical structure of heavy fog using a droplet spectrometer: A case study. Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, 27(6), 1259–1275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pu, M. J., Zhang, G. Z., YanW, L., & Li, Z. H. (2008). Features of a rare advection-radiation fog event. Science in China Series D Earth Sciences, 51(7), 1044–1052.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torregrosa, A., Combs, C., & Jeff, Peters. (2016). GOES-derived fog and low cloud indices for coastal north and central California ecological analyses. Earth and Space Science., 3(2), 2015EA000119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, H. B., Zhang, Z. W., Liu, D. Y., Zhu, Y. Y., Zhang, X. R., & Yuan, C. S. (2020). Study on a large-scale persistent strong dense fog event in central and eastern China. Advances in Meteorology, 2020, 8872334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wittich, K. P. (1990). The nocturnal boundary layer during the passage of amesoscale fog front. Boundary-Layer Meteorology, 51(4), 365–382.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Y., Hu, X. M., Gao, S. H., & Wang, Y. M. (2019). Sensitivity of WRF simulations with the YSU PBL scheme to the lowest model level height for a sea fog event over the Yellow Sea. Atmospheric Research., 215, 253–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Y., Fan, S. X., Zhang, S. T., & Wei, J. C. (2017). Microstructures and temporal variation characteristics during a sea fog event along the west coast of the Taiwan Strait. Journal of Tropical Meteorology., 23(02), 155–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, S., Li, M., Meng, X. G., Fu, G., Ren, Z. P., & Gao, S. H. (2012). A comparison study between spring and summer fogs in the yellow sea-observations and mechanisms. Pure & Applied Geophysics, 169(5/6), 1001–1017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, B., & Ferrier, B. S. (2008). Asymptotic analysis of equilibrium in radiation fog. Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 47(6), 1704–1722.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was jointly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (42075063), Open fund by Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control (KHK2005), and the Jiangsu Meteorological Bureau General project (KZ201902).

Funding

Funding was received from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, with Grant no. 42075063.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Transportation Meteorology of China Meteorological Administration, Nanjing Joint Institute for Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing, 210041, Jiangsu, China

    Peifeng Shen, Duanyang Liu, Huijuan Lin, Ninghao Cai & Shuya Cao

  2. Suzhou Meteorological Bureau of Jiangsu Province, Suzhou, 215131, Jiangsu, China

    Peifeng Shen, Huijuan Lin & Shuya Cao

  3. Ontario Technical University (UOIT), Engineering and Applied Science, Oshawa, Canada

    Ismail Gultep

  4. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Met. Res. Div, Toronto, ON, M3H 5T4, Canada

    Ismail Gultep

  5. Jiangsu Meteorological Observatory, Nanjing, 210041, Jiangsu, China

    Ninghao Cai

  6. Department of Integrated Traffic Information and Control Engineering, School of Transportation Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201804, China

    Zida Wang

Authors
  1. Peifeng Shen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Duanyang Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ismail Gultep
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Huijuan Lin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ninghao Cai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Shuya Cao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Zida Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Duanyang Liu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Shen, P., Liu, D., Gultep, I. et al. Boundary Layer Features of One Winter Fog in the Yangtze River Delta, China. Pure Appl. Geophys. 179, 3463–3480 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-022-03119-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-022-03119-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation