How can an increase in relative humidity affect visibility

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SUMMARY

An increase in relative humidity (RH) significantly affects visibility, particularly when RH exceeds 100%, leading to condensation in the form of fog or rain. The relationship between visibility and RH is influenced by hygroscopicity, which connects aerosol constituents and their impact on visibility. Research, including studies using the K-EC-Mie model, has demonstrated the extinction properties of aerosols as a function of RH, highlighting the importance of hygroscopicity in visibility reduction.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of relative humidity and its measurement
  • Familiarity with hygroscopicity and its effects on aerosols
  • Knowledge of visibility metrics in atmospheric science
  • Experience with K-EC-Mie modeling techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the K-EC-Mie model for analyzing aerosol extinction properties
  • Study the effects of hygroscopicity on visibility in atmospheric conditions
  • Examine the relationship between particulate matter (PM) and relative humidity
  • Explore experimental methodologies for measuring visibility under varying humidity levels
USEFUL FOR

Atmospheric scientists, meteorologists, environmental researchers, and anyone studying the effects of humidity on visibility and air quality.

Rod Alexei
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Thanks in advance!
 
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Certainly it can in the extreme.
If relative humidity exceeds 100% then you will be getting condensation in the form of fog or rain which will reduce visibility.

It would not surprise me if there is an effect at lower RH, but I don't know for sure.
 
Relationship between Visibility and Relative Humidity, PM in terms of Hygroscopicity
http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008AGUFM.A11E0177J
Hygroscopicity plays a key role connecting those three variables. And constituent of aerosol is important factor in terms of hygroscopicity. Many experiments have been performed to find features of hygroscopicity with diverse kinds of constituents. Based on those preceding studies, we investigated how dominantly hygroscopicity influences on visibility.


Analysis of extinction properties as a function of relative humidity using a K-EC-Mie model in Nanjing
http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/acp-2016-119/acp-2016-119.pdf
 

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