Register

Fog: the Malignant Weather Ninja

Although it is a common atmospheric phenomenon, there’s a reason that fog demands a pilot’s complete respect.

In some areas, fog is a nearly daily occurrence. [Shutterstock]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Fog is defined as a low cloud (base within 50 ft, visibility < 5/8 sm) that poses a significant hazard to pilots, requiring instrument capability and strict adherence to weather minimums for safe flight.
  • Its formation depends on three key conditions: the presence of condensation nuclei, a small temperature/dew point spread (indicating high humidity), and light surface winds.
  • There are multiple distinct types of fog, including Steam, Upslope, Radiation, Advection, Precipitation, Ice, and Freezing fog, each forming under specific meteorological conditions and presenting unique characteristics.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Every pilot certificate and every rating you pursue will have a weather learning component to it. One of the most important concepts you cover is about clouds—how they are classified and formed and what their appearance means in terms of atmospheric stability.

I live in the Pacific Northwest, where fog—the lowest of the low clouds—is a nearly daily occurrence, especially in the fall and winter. I live close to the water, and on some days it never lifts. Other days, we get a few hours of flyable sunshine and visibility, and we watch the temperature and dewpoint spread very carefully because fog can sneak up on you ninja-like. And if you are not instrument rated and in an instrument-capable aircraft, instrument current, instrument proficient, and prepared to “go on the gauges,” you may have a really bad day. Know your enemy, as my father used to say.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE