Fog induced by mixed-phase precipitation

Abstract Fog is induced by changes in the atmospheric relative humidity and falling precipitation can be a major cause of these changes. Specifically, during changes of phase, the temperature of precipitation particles is maintained at 0°C and large temperature differences can develop between the particles and the environment. These differences lead to significant exchanges of heat and vapour. During freezing precipitation, particles can be much warmer than the air which will promote supersaturation and hence fog. In addition, a completely new result shows that melting particles also can promote supersaturation, despite being colder than the environment.