Fairbanks ice fog
What? Assessment of trends in ice fog occurrence over a ~70y time period as part of a project on ice fog microphysical properties in Fairbanks. Why? Ice fog ocurrs at very cold temperatures, particularly if there are plentiful pollution particles and water vapor in the near surface atmosphere. It causes problems for vehicular and air traffic and understanding more about when and why it forms can help improve predictions. Summary: Ice fog happens less often and is, on average, less persistent now than in the past. The reduction is related to fewer days with cold temperatures, but changes in air pollution and other local factors likely also play an important role. Favourable synoptic conditions and upper level weather patterns are necessary for ice fog formation and it would be interesting to assess in more detail how atmospheric conditions at different heights affect ice fog formation in the boundary layer. More study needed! Some aspects of this are discussed in papers from the same project led by Carl Schmitt!