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UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST
FACULTY OF PHYSICS Guest
2025-08-21 0:45 |
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Conference: Bucharest University Faculty of Physics 2025 Meeting
Section: Atmosphere and Earth Science; Environment Protection
Title:
Spatial and Seasonal Variability of Fog at Major Romanian Airports: Implications for Civil Aviation Operations
Authors:
Alex VLAD (1,2), Gabriela IORGA (3,1), Bogdan ANTONESCU (1,4)
*
Affiliation:
1) Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
2) National Institute for Aerospace Research "Elie Carafoli", Bucharest, Romania
3) Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
4) National Institute for Earth Physics (NIEP), Bucharest, Romania
E-mail
vlad.florentinalex@gmail.com
Keywords:
fog climatology, Romanian airports, METAR data, civil aviation
Abstract:
This climatological analysis examines fog frequency and characteristics at seven major international airports in Romania: Otopeni, Sibiu, Cluj, Timișoara, Iași, Craiova, and Constanța. The study utilizes high-frequency (30-minute interval) METAR data covering the period from 2011 to 2024. Results highlight significant spatial and seasonal variability in fog occurrence, both in terms of observation counts and total event duration. Fog is most frequent during the cold season (November to February), with a pronounced peak in winter at inland airports. Constanța, located on the coast, shows the lowest fog incidence, largely due to enhanced marine airflow that inhibits fog formation and promotes dispersion. Wind rose analyses for fog events reveal that weak or calm winds (below 2 m/s) are a key factor in fog development, especially in inter-alpine basins or closed-relief areas such as Cluj and Sibiu. In the Romanian Plain (e.g., Otopeni and Craiova), prevailing westerly and northwesterly winds support the accumulation of cold, moist air near the surface, favoring fog formation. In contrast, Constanța experiences higher wind intensities and frequent sea advections, which limit both fog formation and persistence. This study provides valuable insights for assessing operational risks in civil aviation by emphasizing the role of local circulation patterns and thermodynamic conditions in fog generation. The analysis includes statistical characterization of fog events, examination of pre-fog meteorological conditions at both synoptic and local scales, and classification of fog types based on formation mechanisms. These findings contribute to the development of more accurate forecasting tools and mitigation strategies for airport operations across Romania.
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