Fog as an Abiotic Factor at Race Rocks

Wikipedia lists 9 different types of fog. Race Rocks experiences precipitation fog in the winter and steam fog in the summer. Steam fog occurs when cold air passes over warmer water.

Precipitation fog occurs when clouds of water vapor begin to condense. When the temperature reaches the dew point, vapor condenses to leaves behind small droplets of water. Fog is therefore a source of moisture. See example below: Many animals and plants can survive on the moisture left behind by fog. In tropical areas fog has the greatest effect on the surrounding ecosystem, providing water crucial to the survival of many plants and animals. Fog data for Race Rocks has not been collected , but the precipitation from either steam or precipitation fog is often recorded as a 0.2mm entry on the weekly rain record . An example is shown below.

Frequently in the summer, the Strait of Juan de Fuca is blanketed with fog. In this picture, the Olympic Mountains protrude above the fog bank which lies to the south of Race Rocks. (Photo taken June 17, 2006 on the remote camera 5 by PB)

 

The opening scenes of this video show how dense the fog was on one trip in June to Race Rocks. The boat was guided by radar.


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Click here to see our file on the Fog Horn at Race Rocks.
An early morning sunrise through the fog.
At 10:00 AM on July4 2007, this heavy fog enveloped the island. The sun was totally obscured, even though it was a hot sunny day back in Pedder Bay. A ” fog arch” could be seen to the west. This is caused by diffraction of light by the water droplets. It continued down into the ocean. (Photo from camera 5 remote by Garry F)

See the posts in this log noting the days with fog

SOME INFORMATION ON THE EFFECTS OF FOG ON ORGANISMS

In some coastal areas, tree species receiving the highest amount of pollutants via fog are experiencing damage. At Race Rocks, in foggy weather, the dried grasses will condense moisture from the atmosphere. This moisture allows the plants to recover from summer drought.On hot summer days the temperature at Race Rocks can be as high as 10 degrees C lower due to the fog compared to the adjacent shoreline of southern Vancouver Island.

Below is an example of “the perfect storm” –conditions for the creation of “Precipitation Fog”This particular week in September of 2006 has been chosen to show how we can get “rain” recorded in the tipping bucket sensor at Race Rocks even when there is “no rain in sight” at Race Rocks.. Late Monday evening of Sept 4, 0.2 mm. of precipitation was recorded. I recall seeing a heavy dew on the fields in Metchosin on that particular morning. At the same time, the dew point was 12.8. The humidity was 100%

 

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The temperature was at 12.8 degrees C, so the formation of moisture would happen on surfaces on the island. Previously, the light keeper would record this as trace when doing the rain calculation.

 

Students at Race Rocks on a foggy day

Find the light tower

Recent Posts

Quick updates

Ecological Notes:

  • 2 juvenile female Elephant Seals, hauled out in the main grass area, but visiting the water once or twice a day.
  • Noted a California Sea Lion with damage to one of his pectoral fins …. bone and tendons appear to be ok. Looks like a patch of about 6X12 inches of skin removed.
  • The Northern Fur Seal was reported to me as being on his second favorite rock out here, near the NW end of the reserve
  • Sea Otter (reported as being Ollie) in the kelp to the west
  • Lots of Pigeon Guillemots spreading around the main area, pairing off with courting behaviour

Visitors:

  • 1 – Richard from the shore front team delivered Diesel and groceries

Facility Work:

  • Replace another faulty light switch in the main house
  • Transferred fuel to drums and moved most to the generator building, and added some to the furnace tank in the main house. I find it safer and easier to transfer in drums when by myself.
  • Split and transferred more firewood
  • Oil filter, oil, and fuel filter changed on Generator.
  • Batteries electrolyte levels topped up
  • Noticed drop in daily battery percentage over the last 2 weeks, found specific gravity readings were very low, trying an equalization charge
  • Main house window cleaning
  • Collected up fencing blocks left spread around after the last modifications to the fencing system

DND events:

  • More radio simulations of boater conflict ….. again, no mention before or during, causing some discussion among other boaters

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • A solo kayaker, travel through and around the reserve on Tuesday.
  • More Eco-Tourism vessels
  • Several people fishing just outside the reserve, pulling lines and visiting the main area without fishing

Weather Events:

Mostly typical spring weather, changing direction, but lots of clear sky days with slight haze. Only a couple days of higher winds

  • Monday, April 21:
    • Sky: Slight haze, but mostly sunny all day
    • Wind:mostly W mixed 5-20kts
    • Sea: rippled to slight chop
    • Temperature Low 8oC, High 12oC
  • Tuesday, April 22:
    • Sky: Very slight haze, but mostly sunny all day
    • Wind:ESE 2-12kts changing to W 15 kts by evening
    • Sea:  flat calm
    • Temperature Low 9oC, High 13oC
  • Wednesday, April 23:
    • Sky: Very slight haze, but mostly sunny all day
    • Wind: low ESE winds, shifting to SE 10kts mid day
    • Sea: calm all day
    • Temperature Low 7oC, High 13oC

 

 

** Any wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

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