Observations of Antarctic Fog Particles

A leading factor affecting the logistical support efforts in the Antarctic is the weather. Significant weather impacts air operations that deploy scientists to Antarctica and deep field camps, and that supply the main stations, such as McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Of the several hundred flights that are planned to and from McMurdo Station each year, a significant number are aborted due to bad weather conditions. Fog is the number one forecast problem related to flights aborted due to weather. Despite this fact, few studies have been undertaken on Antarctic fog.

One of the first steps to improving our understanding of Antarctic fog is to make observations of the actual fog particles (liquid droplets or frozen ice). This information may be critical to forming improved means of detecting fog from advanced satellite platforms. With regards to Antarctic fog, the physical characteristics of fog particle sizes, shapes and concentrations are unknown. This presentation will review attempts made during the 2002-2003 Antarctic field season to collect, observe, and learn about fog particles and their characteristics. The simple, inexpensive methods used to collect the particles will be discussed, and the initial findings presented.