In college, I took a three-hour credit course called “Climatology.” I aced it. So, I answer my non-pilot friends’ weather questions by telling them I am a weather expert. A few actually believe me.
But I still can’t figure out fog.
I think it has something to do with moisture and temperature. It’s very confusing. Sometimes it’s exactly where predicted. Other times, it appears out of nowhere and ruins our day.
I’ve missed an approach at Wichita Falls, Texas (KSPS) in a Beech Duke after being “on top” at 200 feet with unlimited visibility above and dense fog below. The Air Force operates T-38’s there and hurriedly recalled the squadron home one morning as I diverted to another airport in the clear only ten miles away.
My friend Larry King departed Hammond, Louisiana (KHDC), recently in his M2 for a one-hour flight home to Mesquite (KHQZ). At the time, the destination was forecast to remain at 900 overcast with more than 6 miles visibility. But by the time he started the approach around sundown, it was down to minimums (as seen in the photograph). “It was the lowest approach in my career, and I didn’t expect the weather to drop so quickly,” said Larry.
Fog is where you find it.
A few weeks later, I decided to exercise the C90A with a quick, early morning flight from Dallas Love (KDAL) to Mesquite and return. I could make the trip and bring back a cup of coffee to Patty for breakfast. The prior evening forecast was for clear skies and unlimited visibility. It would be a simple out and back.
The next morning, KDAL was indeed clear. But not Mesquite. Only 18 miles away, the ATIS reported indefinite ceiling 200 and visibility less than one-quarter.
Fog is where you find it.
I sat in my COVID-free car in the Signature parking lot under clear skies waiting for a few minutes to see if the Mesquite weather would improve since I wanted to make a landing there to hone my skills. The same people who believe I am a meteorologist also think I am a pilot. I called the Mesquite FBO. “Any improvement in the weather?” I asked. “Well, I can see the tractor on the ramp, so yeah, it’s up to half a mile,” came the reply.
I took my time with the pre-flight.
“King Air three nine six Delta Mike, contact departure on one two four point three,” said the tower. In the climbing right turn off runway three one right, I began to monitor the Mesquite ATIS.
“Mesquite airport information Tango, one three five three Zulu, wind calm, visibility one quarter, fog, ceiling two hundred overcast. Temperature one-one dewpoint one-one. Altimeter two niner niner tree. Expect ILS runway one-eight. Advise you have Zulu.”
I advised approach that I had the ATIS and would plan on a missed approach. Cleared for the approach and handed off tower, the local controller asked if I had the current weather. Affirmative, I answered. He cleared me for the “option,” meaning I had lots of discretion for planning purposes. Intercepting the final approach course, I realized that the fog had now moved several miles east of the airport.
“Tower, what’s your visibility now?” I asked. “It’s just gone VFR with three miles,“ he said.
And just like that, the fog was gone.
Fly safe.