Difference between Radiation and Advection Fog

1. Formation: Radiation fog forms when the ground loses heat through radiation on clear, calm nights. Advection fog, on the other hand, forms when warm, moist air moves horizontally over a colder surface.
2. Location: Radiation fog typically forms in low-lying areas where cold air settles at night, while advection fog forms in coastal regions where warm, moist air from the ocean moves over cooler land.
3. Temperature: Radiation fog forms when the temperature of the ground cools to the dew point temperature, causing condensation. Advection fog forms when warm, moist air is cooled to its dew point temperature as it moves over a colder surface.
4. Wind: Radiation fog is typically associated with light winds or calm conditions, allowing for the cooling of the ground and subsequent condensation. Advection fog is caused by the movement of air masses, so it is associated with wind.
5. Visibility: Radiation fog tends to reduce visibility to less than one kilometer, while advection fog can reduce visibility to less than 200 meters in some cases.
6. Duration: Radiation fog usually dissipates quickly after sunrise as the ground warms up, while advection fog can persist for longer periods of time depending on the movement of the air masses.
7. Moisture Source: Radiation fog forms due to local moisture sources such as rivers, lakes, or wet ground, while advection fog forms due to the transport of moisture from one location to another.
8. Topography: Radiation fog is more common in areas with valleys or low-lying terrain that allows for the pooling of cold air, while advection fog is more common in coastal regions where warm, moist air interacts with cooler land.
9. Seasonality: Radiation fog is more common in the fall and winter months when nighttime temperatures drop significantly, while advection fog can occur year-round but is more prevalent in spring and summer when warm, moist air masses move inland.
10. Effects: Radiation fog can lead to hazardous driving conditions due to reduced visibility, while advection fog can impact maritime activities and air travel due to poor visibility and low cloud ceilings.