Unfavourable weather is a common phenomenon of the winter season that negatively affects aviation operations. The fog that covered the country’s airspace on December 23, 2024, caused disruptions and cancellation of a number of flights.

According to specialists of the Aviation Meteorological Center (AMC) of SUE “Tajikairnavigation”, the fog that currently covers the airspace of the country belongs to the intra-mass fogs of radiation type. Radiation fogs are formed as a result of radiation cooling of the earth’s surface and cooling of the adjacent moist air. This type of fog is formed on clear quiet nights with wind not more than 1-3 m/s over the moist ground surface. The vertical thickness of such fog varies from 100 to 200 meters.

For aviation, these fogs are dangerous because the ground seems clearly visible leading to a false impression of horizontal visibility on the runway. Therefore, pilots must have the most accurate visibility data near the ground surface to land aircraft. Aircraft flight above the layer of radiation fog is favourable because there is no cloud cover dangerous for flights. As the ground surface warms up, i.e. temperature rises or the north-west wind strengthens, fogs near the ground dissipate.

According to the center calculations for the last five years, the maximum number of fog recurrences was 48 days in 2020. As of today, the number of recurrence of fogs, according to the calculations of experts, is 35 days, of which the maximum recurrence of fogs is in the month of December in the amount of 13 days.

In such weather conditions, meteorologists and air traffic controllers are required to have high professional knowledge and skills, as well as efficiency. In this regard, it is worth noting that in order to improve the level and quality of air navigation services by the SUE “Tajikairnavigation” management carries out the purchase of modern meteorological equipment for the enterprise and its branches in the cities of Khujand, Bokhtar and Kulob, as well as modernization of sectoral equipment is under the way. In addition, the professional development of meteorologists is also under the close attention of the enterprise management.

SUE “Tajikairnavigation” Press-Center