11.

VISIBILITY
A PRESENTATION BY GROUP 8
• HARSHAL GHUMADE (044)
• HEART BLESSWIN (045)
• JAYANTH PSM (046)
• JITHIN HARI NAIR (047)
• JOEL GEORGE (048)
• ADITYA KALE (049)
WHAT IS VISIBILITY ?

• Visibility is defined as the maximum distance at which the following objects

can be clearly seen and distinguished.
• Visibility at sea is a crucial factor in safe navigation and is affected by
several atmospheric and oceanic conditions. The primary factors that impact
visibility at sea include fog, mist, haze, precipitation, and sea spray.
11.1 STATE THAT VISIBILITY IS REDUCED BY THE PRESENCE OF
PARTICLES IN THE ATMOSPHERE, NEAR THE EARTH’S SURFACE
AND DEFINE ‘FOG’, ‘MIST’ AND ‘HAZE’

• Visibility is reduced by the presence of particles in the atmosphere near the

Earth's surface, which can be caused by various natural and human activities
such as wildfires, pollution, and dust storms. The reduction in visibility can
make it difficult to see objects at a distance and can pose hazards to
transportation and outdoor activities
Fog, mist, and haze are all types of atmospheric phenomena that can cause
reduced visibility, but they differ in their characteristics and how they form

Fog: Fog is a dense layer of water droplets suspended

in the air that forms when moist air is cooled to the
point where it can no longer hold all its moisture. Fog
is typically thicker than mist and can reduce visibility
to less than 1 kilometer (0.6 miles). Fog can form in a
variety of ways, such as when warm, moist air moves
over a cool surface, or when cool air is trapped in a
valley or basin
• Mist: Mist is a lighter and more diffuse layer of
water droplets than fog and forms when
moisture in the air condenses into tiny droplets.
Mist typically reduces visibility to between 1
and 2 kilometers (0.6 to 1.2 miles) and is often
seen in humid or damp environments, such as
forests, lakes, and rivers
• Haze: Haze is a layer of tiny particles or pollutants
that scatter light and reduce visibility. Unlike fog
and mist, haze is not composed of water droplets,
but instead contains particles such as dust, smoke,
and pollution. Haze can occur in both urban and
rural areas and can reduce visibility to several
kilometers (miles) or more, depending on the
concentration of particles in the air.
11.2 APPLY THE CONCEPT OF PROCESSES LEADING TO
SUPERSATURATION TO A CLASSIFICATION OF FOGS AS MIXING,
COOLING OR EVAPORATION FOGS

• The formation of fogs involves the process of supersaturation, which occurs

when air contains more moisture than it can hold at a particular temperature
and pressure. The excess moisture in the air condenses into tiny water
droplets or ice crystals, forming fog. The processes that lead to
supersaturation and fog formation can be classified into three main types:
mixing, cooling, and evaporation fogs.
• Mixing Fog : Mixing fog occurs when two air masses with different moisture
content and temperature mix together. When the warmer, moist air rises and mixes
with cooler, drier air, the moisture in the warm air cools and condenses, forming
fog. Mixing fogs are common in coastal areas where warm, moist air from the sea
meets cooler, drier air from the land. They can also occur in urban areas where
warm, humid air from buildings mixes with cooler, drier air from open spaces.
• Cooling Fog: Cooling fog occurs when air cools below its dew point temperature,
causing water vapor to condense into tiny droplets or ice crystals. This type of
fog is common in areas where moist air moves over a colder surface, such as a
body of water or a cool ground surface. Radiation fog is a type of cooling fog
that forms on clear, calm nights when the ground radiates heat and cools the air
above it.
• Evaporation Fog: Evaporation fog occurs when cold air moves over a
warm water surface, causing water to evaporate and add moisture to the
air. This process creates a layer of saturated air above the water surface,
which can then cool and condense into fog as it moves over cooler land or
air masses. Steam fog is a type of evaporation fog that forms over hot
springs or lakes on cold mornings.
11.3 EXPLAIN QUALITATIVELY THE FORMATION OF RADIATION
FOG, MENTIONING AREAS, SEASONS AND REASONS FOR ITS
DISPERSAL

• Radiation fog is a type of cooling fog that forms on clear, calm nights when
the ground radiates heat and cools the air above it. This type of fog is most
common in areas with high humidity and clear skies, such as valleys or low-
lying areas. It is most likely to occur during the fall and winter months when
the nights are longer and the air is cooler.
• The formation of radiation fog can be explained as follows:
During the day, the sun heats the ground, which in turn heats
the air above it. As the sun sets, the ground begins to cool
and the warm air near the ground rises, creating a layer of
cooler air near the surface. If the air is humid enough, the
moisture in the air will begin to condense as the air cools
below its dew point temperature, forming tiny water droplets
or ice crystals. These tiny droplets or crystals then form a
layer of fog near the surface.
• Radiation fog is typically shallow, only a few meters deep, and can be quite
dense, reducing visibility to a few meters or less. It tends to dissipate as the sun
rises and the ground begins to warm up again, causing the fog to evaporate. It can
also be dispersed by light winds, which can mix the fog with drier air and
reduce its density.
11.4 STATE THE EFFECT OF POLLUTION ON THE FORMATION OF
RADIATION FOG

• Pollution can have a significant effect on the formation of radiation fog. The
presence of pollutants in the air can act as nuclei for the condensation of
water vapor, which can increase the number of water droplets or ice crystals
and decrease the size of the fog particles. This can result in a higher number
of smaller fog droplets, which can make the fog denser and reduce visibility
even further.
• In addition, pollution can also reduce the amount of heat that
radiates from the ground, as it can act as a blanket, trapping heat
near the surface. This can lead to a smaller temperature difference
between the ground and the air above it, which can reduce the
formation of radiation fog.
• Furthermore, pollutants can also interact with the fog droplets,
altering their chemical composition and making them more acidic.
This can increase the amount of water vapor that is absorbed by the
fog droplets, which can delay or prevent the dissipation of the fog.
• In summary, pollution can have a negative effect on the formation and dissipation of radiation fog,
making it denser and reducing visibility. This highlights the importance of reducing pollution
levels to minimize the impacts on fog formation and its associated hazards.
• Overall, the effect of pollution on the formation of radiation fog depends on a number of factors,
including the type and amount of pollutants present, the temperature and humidity levels, and
other local weather conditions
11.5 EXPLAIN QUALITATIVELY THE FORMATION OF ADVECTION
FOG, MENTIONING AREAS, SEASONS AND REASONS FOR
DISPERSAL

• Advection fog is a type of fog that forms when warm, moist air moves
horizontally over a colder surface and cools below its dew point temperature,
causing water vapor to condense into fog. This type of fog is common in
coastal areas where warm, moist air from the sea moves over colder land
surfaces. It can also occur in other areas where moist air moves over a cold
surface, such as a lake or snow-covered ground
• The formation of advection fog can be explained as
follows: Warm, moist air from the sea moves over a
colder land surface, causing the air to cool below its
dew point temperature. The moisture in the air then
condenses into tiny water droplets or ice crystals,
forming fog. Advection fog is often thick and can
reduce visibility to only a few meters
• The reasons for the dispersal of advection fog are similar to those of other types of
fog. It can be dispersed by winds, which can mix the fog with drier air and reduce
its density. It can also be dispersed by a change in temperature, such as when the
sun comes out and warms the surface, causing the fog to evaporate.
11.6 EXPLAIN QUALITATIVELY THE CONDITIONS LEADING TO THE
FORMATION OF SEA SMOKE, AND TYPICAL AREAS WHERE SEA
SMOKE MAY BE ENCOUNTERED

• SEA SMOKE is a meteorological event caused by the interaction of cool air

and warm water. Often seen in coastal regions, sea smoke is sometimes
known as advection or steam fog, and has a distinct appearance that can
make a body of water appear to be smoking or steaming. Sea smoke
frequently dissipates quickly, thanks to the warming action of the ocean on
the frigid air.
• The formation of sea smoke occurs when cold, dry air moves over the
relatively warmer water, causing the water to evaporate and rise into
the air. As the water vapor rises, it cools and condenses into tiny water
droplets, forming a cloud that appears like smoke rising from the
surface of the water.
• Sea smoke is often encountered in areas where there is a large
temperature difference between the air and the water. This typically
occurs in polar regions where the air is extremely cold and the water is
relatively warmer due to geothermal heating or warmer ocean currents.
• In addition, sea smoke may be encountered in areas where cold, dry air from the interior
moves over relatively warmer bodies of water, such as large lakes or rivers. The
temperature difference between the air and the water can lead to the formation of sea
smoke, even in areas that are not typically associated with extremely cold temperatures.
• Seaway and adjacent ocean areas. During winter it occurs in the Baltic Sea which is
surrounded by a colder land mass, and in higher latitudes it is associated with cold winds
from the Arctic Basin and the ice covered sea areas to the south. In lower latitudes it
occurs occasionally in the Gulf of Mexico and off Hong Kong
11.7 DESCRIBE METHODS OF ESTIMATING THE VISIBILITY AT SEA,
BY DAY AND BY NIGHT, AND THE DIFFICULTIES INVOLVED

• By Day:
1.Using the Beaufort Scale: The Beaufort Scale is a scale that estimates wind
speed and wave height, which can be used to estimate visibility. The higher
the wind speed and wave height, the lower the visibility.
2.Visual Observations: Observers can use visual cues to estimate visibility,
such as the distance at which objects such as ships, buoys or land can be
seen.
• By Night:
1.Radar: Radar is commonly used to estimate visibility at night. It works by emitting
radio waves and measuring the time it takes for them to bounce back after hitting
an object. The longer it takes for the waves to return, the farther away the object is.
2.Lights: Observers can use the visibility of lights, such as lighthouses, buoys, and
other ships, to estimate visibility at night. By knowing the brightness of the light
and the distance it can be seen, visibility can be estimated.
• Difficulties involved in estimating visibility at sea include:
1.Weather conditions: Visibility is often reduced during fog, rain, snow, and haze, making it challenging
to estimate.
2.Perception: Perception can vary between observers, making it difficult to standardize visibility
estimates.
3.Distance: It can be challenging to estimate distances accurately at sea, especially if there are no
landmarks or reference points available.
4.Equipment limitations: Equipment such as radar can be affected by interference, and visual cues can be
affected by glare or reflections