Mapping meteorological phenomena: a case study of fog in the Kharkiv region

The purpose of this article is to study the meteorological phenomena mapping, focusing on fog occurrences in Kharkiv region during the period of 1996-2020. Basic material. Mapping of meteorological phenomena is a key tool for visualizing and understanding of complex atmospheric processes. It allows us to represent the spatial distribution of meteorological phenomena visually, to analyze them and identify future trends. The particularity of fog mapping lies in establishing relationships between the geographical and climatic characteristics of the region. This information holds practical significance in developing measures to manage risks associated with weather phenomena, ensuring the safety of the population and the economy. Factors influencing the climate of Kharkiv region include its distance from large bodies of water and the flatness of its terrain. The results of fogs study show that it is possible to identify the main physical and geographical factors influencing fog formation processes: orography, the nature of the underlying surface, the presence of water bodies, and the temperature regime of the area. Using the ArcGIS GIS package, we were able to draw maps of multi-year indicators of the number of foggy days during the period of 1996-2020 and by seasons, fog duration during the period of 1996-2020 and by seasons. Cartographic works allow us to identify spatial-temporal characteristics of the meteorological phenomenon’s distribution, providing additional advantages compared to other forms of presenting model results, such as tables or lists. Conclusions and further research. In the context of climate change, there is an increase in the number of extreme and natural hydro-meteorological phenomena, which result in significant material losses. Fog affects a wide range of economic sectors. Therefore, maps of hydro-meteorological phenomena are an important component ensuring population safety as they provide an understanding of the nature, intensity, and periodicity of potential threats to a specific area. A distinctive feature of the million-strong city of Kharkiv is the likelihood of smog-fog occurrences, which possess an elevated carcinogenic effect. To analyze smog phenomena, it is necessary to consider numerous meteorological factors, such as wind speed and direction, sky conditions, temperature regime, presence of atmospheric precipitation, and the degree of urbanization. Therefore, the aim of further research is to study the conditions for the formation of smog and methods of their mapping.