Microstructure of a Radiation Fog

H. E. Gerber Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375

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Abstract

The relative humidity, temperature, droplet size distribution and transmittance of light at 632.8 nm were measured in a radiation fog. A new saturation hygrometer capable of measuring relative humidity between ∼95 and 105%, was used for the first time. Excursions of relative humidity into the supersaturation regime were brief and rapid. Estimated peak values of supersaturation were several tenths of 1%. The mean relative humidity in the fog was <100%. The importance of turbulence in controlling the fog was evident in the rapid fluctuations in all the measured variables, and in the fog's quasi-periodic oscillations which had a mean period of 18 min. Evidence suggested that turbulent mixing of nearly saturated eddies was the cause of fog formation and the broadening of the droplet size distribution.

Abstract

The relative humidity, temperature, droplet size distribution and transmittance of light at 632.8 nm were measured in a radiation fog. A new saturation hygrometer capable of measuring relative humidity between ∼95 and 105%, was used for the first time. Excursions of relative humidity into the supersaturation regime were brief and rapid. Estimated peak values of supersaturation were several tenths of 1%. The mean relative humidity in the fog was <100%. The importance of turbulence in controlling the fog was evident in the rapid fluctuations in all the measured variables, and in the fog's quasi-periodic oscillations which had a mean period of 18 min. Evidence suggested that turbulent mixing of nearly saturated eddies was the cause of fog formation and the broadening of the droplet size distribution.

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