Temporal and spatial variations of fog in the Western Sudety Mts., Poland

The ridges of the Western Sudety are well exposed to the humid maritime air masses that are mainly associated with westerly atmospheric circulation. Fog is the most frequently observed atmospheric phenomenon, being present on average 45% of the time, with 250–300 days with fog per year. This study on temporal variation of fog in both daily and annual cycles is based on 30 years of measurements (1961–1990) made on Mt. Szrenica at 1362 m a.s.l.Based on the data from 51 meteorological stations and the results of fog deposition field measurements, a digital model of fog frequency in the Western Sudety was prepared using a Geographic Information System. The model shows that altitude is not the only important factor controlling fog frequency. Such parameters as slope aspect and position of a particular site in relation to local and regional morphology are also of crucial importance.