Analysis of a Persistent Mixed-Type Sea Fog Process over Beibu Gulf

Based on the observation data from the coastal island stations in Beibu Gulf and the fifth generation ECMWF reanalysis (ERA5) data, the probability of occurrence of mixed-type (that is, high-pressure rear type to southwest inverted trough type) sea fog processes in Beibu Gulf is analyzed. Furthermore, the typical mixed-type sea fog process from 15 March to 23 March 2016 is selected for in-depth analysis. The results show the following: (1) Compared with other types of sea fog processes, the probability of occurrence of the mixed-type sea fog processes was the highest during 2015-2020, with a cumulative number of 15 times (58 days), accounting for 34.9% (39.5%). (2) The typical mixed-type sea fog process from 15 March to 23 March 2016 was characterised by long duration and wide range. In the early stage, the Beibu Gulf was influenced by the easterly flow behind the high pressure entering the sea. In the later period, the plateau trough developed and moved eastward, which guided the warm and humid south-western airflow to expand inland, and the easterly airflow gradually turned to the southerly airflow at the edge of the south-west inverted trough in Beibu Gulf. (3) In terms of thermal conditions, the strong warm and humid transport of the low-level jet stream increased the specific humidity over the Beibu Gulf, and then the water vapour saturated layer extended from the near-surface layer to 800 hPa on the one hand. It also contributed to the establishment of the temperature inversion layer on the other hand. And the inversion layer cooperated with the high humidity region below to reach a stable state. As for the dynamical conditions, the wind shear in the vertical direction maintained a certain intensity, which was favourable to the turbulent mixing in the boundary layer. The cooperation of the wind shear with the baroclinic atmosphere was the configuration that favoured the maintenance of a stable layer in the low-layer. In addition, the weak upward motion below 800 hPa was conducive to water vapour uplift and condensation in the low-layer, which promoted the development and maintenance of the sea fog. (4) During the occurrence of the typical mixed-type sea fog, the air temperature was mostly higher than the sea surface temperature in each sea area. And the difference between the air temperature and sea surface temperature in the early stage (late stage) was between 0 and 1.5 ℃ (1.5 and 2.5 ℃).