Radiation fog properties in two consecutive events under polluted and clean conditions in the Yangtze River Delta, China: a simulation study

Abstract

Aerosol–cloud interaction (ACI) in fog and planetary boundary layer (PBL) conditions plays critical roles in the fog life cycle. However, it is not clear how ACI in the first fog (Fog1) affects the PBL and subsequently affects ACI in the second fog (Fog2), which is important information for understanding the interaction between ACI and the PBL, as well as their effects on fog properties. To fill this knowledge gap, we simulate two successive radiation fog events in the Yangtze River Delta, China, using the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem). Our simulations indicate that the PBL conditions conducive to Fog2 formation are affected by ACI with high aerosol loading in Fog1; subsequently, the PBL promotes ACI in Fog2, resulting in a higher liquid water content, higher droplet number concentration, smaller droplet size, larger fog optical depth, wider fog distribution, and longer fog lifetime in Fog2 than in Fog1. This phenomenon is related to the following physical factors. The first factor involves meteorological conditions conducive to Fog2 formation, including low temperature, high humidity, and high stability. The second factor is the feedbacks between microphysics and radiative cooling. A higher fog droplet number concentration increases the liquid water path and fog optical depth, thereby enhancing long-wave radiative cooling and condensation near the fog top. The third factor is the feedbacks between macrophysics, radiation, and turbulence. A higher fog top presents stronger long-wave radiative cooling near the fog top than near the fog base, which weakens temperature inversion and strengthens turbulence, ultimately increasing the fog-top height and fog area. In summary, under polluted conditions, ACI postpones the dissipation of Fog1 owing to these two feedbacks and generates PBL meteorological conditions that are more conducive to the formation of Fog2 than those prior to Fog1. These conditions promote the earlier formation of Fog2, further enhancing the two feedbacks and strengthening the ACI in Fog2. Our findings are critical for studying the interaction between aerosols, fog, and the PBL; moreover, they shed new light on ACI.