Ice Fog Effect on Temperature

The temperature inversion over Fairbanks forms because the ground radiates energy to the sky. When thick, dense ice fog forms, the ice fog partly replaces the ground surface as the radiating source. The temperature inversion then moves up toward the top of the ice fog dome. Within the ice fog, the temperature is colder and more nearly constant. The result is a thicker layer of cold air near the ground.

Because of the increasing density of the ice fog layer over the past few years, those area residents who built or bought homes on the lower hills are losing the temperature advantage they once had. A few years ago, a home 50 or 100 feet above the valley floor often enjoyed winter temperatures perhaps 10 or 20° warmer than homes in the city. Only those residents in the higher hills now avoid the deepest cold.

How much longer will they? If the city continues to expand and the ice fog to increase, there may be less reason to live in the hills. Could this affect future trends of residential living in the Fairbanks?