Ice‐Crystal fogs of central Sakha¹

For general background, see Lydolph (1977, pp. 406, 433).

Abstract

This article describes the phenomenon of “ ice‐crystal fogs,”; which occur in intermontane basins of the central Sakha Repubic (Yakutia) during winter as a result of natural and human factors. Commonly, moisture may be injected into a shallow layer of near‐surface air in river valleys of Sakha from unfrozen rivers and lakes during early winter, when air‐land surface temperature differentials are pronounced, resulting in the condensation and freezing of the water droplets. Additional moisture is introduced by human activity (combustion of wood and fossil fuels and simple respiratory functions of humans and animals). Because of strong temperature inversions that prevail in basin locations during this time of the year, vertical mixing is inhibited, and the ice crystals persist as fogs that linger over cities and towns over much of the winter.

Notes

For general background, see Lydolph (1977, pp. 406, 433).