SRINAGAR: As the thick fog persisted over Kashmir for the fifth day in a row, the weatherman here said that the foggy mornings are the result of the Valley’s ongoing dry periods.
Director Meteorological Department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that the ongoing dry spell in the valley, especially less rainfall in the past few months, has caused foggy weather conditions in Kashmir.
“It is always being witnessed in winters whenever the less precipitation is recorded. The dry spell, pollution as well as dust in the air, are among the main reasons behind the smoggy mornings,” he said.
Independent weather Forecaster, Faizan Arif Keng said, “A weak Western Disturbance around Christmas might not have brought significant precipitation with it, however, it likely did carry higher than usual moisture content in the form of water vapour. This additional moisture could have condensed into tiny water droplets close to the ground, creating fog.”
Normally, he said, wind helps to disperse fog by mixing and moving the warm air above with the cool, moist air near the ground. “However, due to the absence of strong winds of Western Disturbance, the foggy layer remained trapped close to the ground, leading to prolonged foggy conditions,” he said.
After the disturbance passed, clear skies allowed for effective radiational cooling. Rapid cooling at night further condensed water vapor and intensified the fog, especially in the mornings, he added
During clear nights, heat radiates from the Earth’s surface, causing temperatures to drop rapidly. This rapid cooling near the ground condenses water vapor present in the air, leading to fog formation, he added.