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potentially dumb hypothetical question about cloud/fog formation

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Weather

What would happen theoretically if the air became over saturated with water but there were no condensation nuclei of any sort to allow for cloud formation?

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1 Answers



  1. EAD on Mar 27, 2017

    That’s not a dumb question. It’s called supersaturation and apparently it can rarely happen above 25,000 feet (only have one source for this, so take it with a grain of salt).

    In the case of supersaturation, the vapor simply would not condense out until it had something to condense onto. As soon as it did, it would form a cloud.

    I believe it would be impossible anywhere near the surface, if that is your question, since there would always be impurities in the air.

    Source: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-07-20/news/ct-wea-0720-asktom-20110720_1_relative-humidity-condensation-nuclei-supersaturated-air

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