Fogprofil

Fogprofil, also spelled fog profile, is a term used primarily in meteorology and atmospheric science to describe the vertical distribution of fog density and other related atmospheric parameters such as temperature, humidity, and wind speed within a layer of fog. The concept is analogous to sound or temperature profiles and provides insight into the structure and dynamics of fog events.

In a typical fogprofil, observations show how fog density decreases with height from the ground. Near-surface layers often contain the densest fog, with optical density dropping sharply within the first 50 to 100 meters, though this varies with fog type, surface heating, and topography. By measuring visibility, total suspended particles, and relative humidity at multiple heights, researchers create a continuous profile showing where the fog is most pronounced. This vertical analysis is crucial for aviation safety, as aircraft takeoff and landing operations are influenced by visible flight levels and vertical density gradients.

Creating fogprofils involves ground-based weather stations, LIDAR, Raman lidar, or ceilometers that measure visibility and backscatter. Mobile platforms such as drones or radiosondes may also collect vertical data. The state of the diabatic heat flux and wind shear are recorded to understand fog dispersion. The resulting dataset is used to calibrate numerical weather prediction models.

The practical applications of fogprofil data include refined visibility forecasting, improved airport decision-making, and better design of outdoor lighting and park infrastructure. In climate studies, fogprofils help assess fog prevalence in coastal and mountain regions, offering indirect measures of atmospheric moisture and heat transport. Flood warnings and fire risk assessments also benefit, as fog densification can influence relative humidity and fire suppression efforts. The fogprofil is therefore a key observational tool bridging field measurements with theoretical models of the lower atmosphere.