On the effect of nocturnal radiation fog on the development of the daytime convective boundary layer: A large-eddy simulation study

Abstract

The potential effect of failing to predict nocturnal deep radiation fog on the development of the daytime convective boundary layer (CBL) is studied using large-eddy simulations. Typical spring and autumn conditions for the mid-latitudes are used to perform simulations in pairs. Fog formation is allowed in one simulation of each pair (nocturnal fog [NF]) and is suppressed in the other (clear sky [CS]). This allows for the identification of properties (temperature, humidity, boundary-layer depth), conditions, and processes in CBL development that are affected by fog. Mixing-layer temperatures and boundary-layer depths immediately after fog dissipation in CSs are shown to be up to 2.5 K warmer and 200 m higher, respectively, than the NF counterparts. Additionally, greater water vapor mixing ratios are found in the CSs. However, owing to greater temperatures, relative humidities at the CBL top are found to be less in CSs than in the corresponding NFs. This relative humidity difference might be an indication that cloud formation is suppressed to some extent. The magnitude of the differences between CSs and NFs during the day is mainly correlated to the fog depth (in terms of duration and liquid water path), whereas the key processes responsible for differences are the atmospheric long-wave cooling of the fog layer (for temperature development) and droplet deposition (for water vapor mixing ratio development).