Fog-low stratus (FLS) regimes on Corsica with wind and PBLH as key drivers

Knerr I, Trachte K, Egli S, Barth J, Bräuning A, Garel E, Häusser M, Huneau F, Juhlke T, Santoni S, Szymczak S, van Geldern R, Bendix J (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Atmospheric Research Elsevier

Book Volume: 261

DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2021.105731

Abstract

The French Mediterranean island of Corsica is already today confronted with a clear tendency towards water shortage, leading not only to socio-economical, but also to ecological problems. A potential, but not very widespread source of water is the presence of near-ground clouds, mostly fog. In this study, we investigate foglow stratus (FLS) frequencies in Corsica, derived from a data set of Meteosat Second Generation SEVIRI, whereby a distinction between fog and low stratus is hardly feasible using remote sensing data. The FLS frequency was studied with respect to its interaction with distinct locally-generated wind and its dependence on the planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) obtained by ERA5 reanalysis (the fifth generation of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, ECMWF). Results show that radiation FLS is formed in coastal areas at sunrise, with low PBLH. On the other hand, in the interior of the island at sunset, a maximum of advection FLS is formed, fostered by locally-generated and related transport of moisture. On the east side of the island, FLS frequency is lower throughout the year due to frequent lee situations. This situation is reinforced by reduced synoptic moisture transport by westerly winds, so that westerly exposed slopes benefit from moisture input by FLS formation.

Authors with CRIS profile

Johannes Barth Lehrstuhl für Angewandte Geologie Achim Bräuning Lehrstuhl für Geographie (Physische Geographie) Martin Häusser Institut für Geographie Tobias Juhlke Lehrstuhl für Angewandte Geologie Sonja Szymczak Institut für Geographie Robert van Geldern Lehrstuhl für Angewandte Geologie

Involved external institutions

Philipps-Universität Marburg DE Germany (DE) Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) DE Germany (DE) Università di Corsica Pasquale Paoli FR France (FR)

How to cite

APA:

Knerr, I., Trachte, K., Egli, S., Barth, J., Bräuning, A., Garel, E.,... Bendix, J. (2021). Fog-low stratus (FLS) regimes on Corsica with wind and PBLH as key drivers. Atmospheric Research, 261. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2021.105731

MLA:

Knerr, Isabel, et al. "Fog-low stratus (FLS) regimes on Corsica with wind and PBLH as key drivers." Atmospheric Research 261 (2021).

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