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

Grandpa gull

Wildlife notes

Grandparent gulls lost their entire brood, all at once. They nested under the small porch by the north entrance of the Keeper’s House – same place as last year where they successfully raised their chicks. When I first noticed Grandpa gull last year I sent a picture to the local gull expert Andrew Jacobs and asked if this was a particularly old gull as I was wondering about the darkening around its eyes. He said it was a just a pigmentation not related to age. Regardless, the name stuck. I see a lot of him out the window as he likes to sit on the deck railing. Oddly both parents have the same darkened eyes.

Grandpa and Grandma gull

Grandparent gull’s nest with two dead chicks beside and one inside the disheveled nest.

Usually when I find a dead chick or see one being killed it has wandered too far from its nest and the protection of its parents, but this is different. Here, all three chicks are very near or even in the nest. Both parents are still alive, so starvation doesn’t make sense. I wonder if it could be sickness or poisoning? Neither are good news.

Facility Work

  • cleaned the solar panels
  • cleaned the outside windows
  • cleaned the back door

Vessels

  • Ecotourism: 22
  • Private: 1

Weather

Clear skies.  Strong WNW breeze in the morning, moderate WSW in the afternoon. Daytime temperatures: low 13, high 16.

 

 

 

 

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