The temporal and spatial distribution of sea fog in offshore of China based on FY-4A satellite data

Satellite remote sensing is an important instrument of sea fog monitoring. In order to study the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of sea fog and the influence of sea surface temperature (SST) on the sea fog, based on sea fog monitoring and SST products from FY-4A satellite, the monthly variation of sea fog and monthly average SST in five typical sea areas (including Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, East China Sea, Taiwan Strait and South China Sea) are statistically analyzed. The results show that the sea fog in offshore has strong regional and seasonal characteristics. From winter to autumn, the sea fog first appears in the Beibu Gulf of the South China Sea, the sea fog extends from South China Sea to East China Sea, and then to Yellow Sea, finally to Bohai Sea. Sea fog is related to sea surface temperature. By comparing the sea fog with the SST distribution, the optimal SST is from 7 °C to 25 °C when the sea fog happens.