WIFEX (WINTER FOG EXPERIMENT)

WIFEX (WINTER FOG EXPERIMENT)

Why in News?

• WiFEX (Winter Fog Experiment) has completed 10 successful years of research (2015–2025) on dense winter fog over North India.
• The experiment is now entering its next phase – WiFEX-II, aimed at runway-specific fog forecasting at more North Indian airports.
• Announced by Ministry of Earth Sciences.

ABOUT WIFEX

• Full Form: Winter Fog Experiment
• Launched: Winter 2015
• Objective: To study the formation, persistence, and dispersal of dense fog during North Indian winters, especially over the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP).
• Primary focus area: Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), New Delhi — one of the world’s most fog-affected airports.

IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES

WHY WAS WIFEX NEEDED?

• Dense fog causes severe disruption to:
  • Air travel (delays, diversions, accidents)
  • Railways and road transport
• The Indo-Gangetic Plain is highly vulnerable due to:
  • High humidity + low temperatures
  • High aerosol and pollution levels
• Lack of reliable fog prediction models before 2015

TOOLS & METHODS USED

• Ceilometers – measure fog/cloud height
• Micrometeorological towers – capture temperature gradients and wind shear
• High-frequency sensors – monitor humidity, turbulence, soil heat flux, and aerosols
• Data-driven model development
• Expansion Sites:
  • Jewar Airport (Noida)
  • Hisar (Haryana)
  • Forming a wider observational network in North India

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS (2015-2025)

1. High-Resolution Probabilistic Fog Forecast Model

• Resolution: 3 km
• Accuracy: 85%+ for very dense fog (visibility < 200m)
• Predicts:
  • Onset time
  • Duration
  • Density
  • Clearance time

2. Operational & Economic Benefits

• Helps:
  • Pilots
  • ATC
  • Airlines
  • Passengers
• Reduced:
  • Flight delays & diversions
  • Runway incidents
• Informed decision-making for winter operations

3. Scientific Contributions

• Discovered:
  • Link between fog and air pollution (aerosols, PM2.5)
  • Effects of urban heat islands
  • Impact of land-use changes
• Input for:
  • Early warning systems
  • Urban climate & pollution policy

ABOUT WIFEX II (2025 ONWARDS)

• Focus: Runway-specific fog prediction
• More sensor installations at airports across North India
• Provides real-time visibility and weather data for:
  • Better airport response planning
  • Improved passenger safety and efficiency

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