Winter Fog Experiment (WiFEX)

The Government of India launched the Winter Fog Experiment (WiFEX) in 2015 at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, to understand and predict dense winter fog in North India. This decade-long research initiative, led by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has yielded significant advancements.

Key achievements and future plans of WiFEX include:

• Advanced Fog Prediction Model: WiFEX scientists have developed a high-resolution probabilistic fog prediction model, which has achieved over 85% accuracy in forecasting very dense fog. This model provides crucial information for aviation, leading to reduced delays and improved safety.
• Enhanced Fog Science: The experiment has deepened the understanding of how factors like air pollution, urban heat islands, land-use changes, and airborne particles influence fog formation. These insights are being used to improve early warning systems and inform urban and air quality management plans.
• Next Phase: WiFEX-II: The initiative is transitioning to its next phase, WiFEX-II, with the goal of providing localized, runway-specific fog predictions to more airports across North India, further enhancing safety and efficiency during foggy conditions.

(Source: PIB)