Local and mesoscale influences can make or break your fog or stratus forecast. Influences of local water bodies, terrain, vegetation, soil characteristics, and coastal features on the lower atmosphere can play a vital role in the development, duration, and intensity of these events. As part of the Distance Learning Course 1: Forecasting Fog and Low Stratus, this module examines several of these influences and discusses how they enhance or inhibit a fog or stratus event.
• Identify three local factors that can enhance fog or stratus development and be able to explain why
• Identify and describe the processes external to the boundary layer that influence duration, intensity, and dissipation
• Identify and describe the processes internal to the boundary layer that influence duration, intensity, and dissipation
July 2014: This lesson includes references to the Eta numerical weather prediction model no longer in operational use. As a consequence, mention of model limitations may no longer be relevant. The discussion of model assimilation of soil moisture is likewise dated and techniques have evolved since the 2003 publish date. Users should also be aware that some of the Web links are dated and no longer work as originally intended.
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