Featuring Scott Dennstaedt
“The basic rules that work for us during the day don’t always apply during the graveyard shift. A perfect example is radiation fog.
Terminal forecasts are not always the best source to warn a pilot for an impending radiation fog event since radiation fog can be a very localized event. It is very possible that an airport in an urban area is spared while satellite airports around the city are experiencing a low IFR event.
Take some extra time examining the weather if you are flying late at night into the early morning hours. Check the MOS forecast for fog or converging temperature-dewpoint spreads.
Also, read the area forecast discussions (which are different than the discontinued Area Forecasts). They will often help you understand more about the forecaster’s thought process and what is expected to occur throughout the local region.”
Has unforecast fog ever forced you to divert and land somewhere you didn't plan on going?