UPSC Current Affairs
WIFEX (WINTER FOG EXPERIMENT)
WiFEX (Winter Fog Experiment) has completed 10 successful years of research (2015–2025) on dense winter fog over North India. The experiment is now entering its next phase – WiFEX-II, aimed at runway-specific fog forecasting at more North Indian airports. Announced by Ministry of Earth Sciences.
VRAuthor Desk
2 min read
WiFEX (Winter Fog Experiment) has completed 10 successful years of research (2015–2025) on dense winter fog over North India. The experiment is now entering its next phase – WiFEX-II, aimed at runway-specific fog forecasting at more North Indian airports. Announced by Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Why in News?
- WiFEX (Winter Fog Experiment) has completed 10 successful years of research (2015–2025) on dense winter fog over North India.
- The experiment is now entering its next phase – WiFEX-II, aimed at runway-specific fog forecasting at more North Indian airports.
- Announced by Ministry of Earth Sciences.
ABOUT WIFEX
- Full Form: Winter Fog Experiment
- Launched: Winter 2015
- Objective: To study the formation, persistence, and dispersal of dense fog during North Indian winters, especially over the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP).
- Primary focus area: Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), New Delhi — one of the world’s most fog-affected airports.
IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES
WHY WAS WIFEX NEEDED?
- Dense fog causes severe disruption to:
- Air travel (delays, diversions, accidents)
- Railways and road transport
- The Indo-Gangetic Plain is highly vulnerable due to:
- High humidity + low temperatures
- High aerosol and pollution levels
- Lack of reliable fog prediction models before 2015
TOOLS & METHODS USED
- Ceilometers – measure fog/cloud height
- Micrometeorological towers – capture temperature gradients and wind shear
- High-frequency sensors – monitor humidity, turbulence, soil heat flux, and aerosols
- Data-driven model development
- Expansion Sites:
- Jewar Airport (Noida)
- Hisar (Haryana)
- Forming a wider observational network in North India
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS (2015-2025)
1. High-Resolution Probabilistic Fog Forecast Model
- Resolution: 3 km
- Accuracy: 85%+ for very dense fog (visibility < 200m)
- Predicts:
- Onset time
- Duration
- Density
- Clearance time
2. Operational & Economic Benefits
- Helps:
- Pilots
- ATC
- Airlines
- Passengers
- Reduced:
- Flight delays & diversions
- Runway incidents
- Informed decision-making for winter operations
3. Scientific Contributions
- Discovered:
- Link between fog and air pollution (aerosols, PM2.5)
- Effects of urban heat islands
- Impact of land-use changes
- Input for:
- Early warning systems
- Urban climate & pollution policy
ABOUT WIFEX II (2025 ONWARDS)
- Focus: Runway-specific fog prediction
- More sensor installations at airports across North India
- Provides real-time visibility and weather data for:
- Better airport response planning
- Improved passenger safety and efficiency
- Prelims: Key facts, institutions, locations and terminology in the article.
- Mains: Connect the topic with Environment, Economy, Polity & Governance.
- Revision: Use the article headings to prepare concise notes and answer-writing points.
Test your understanding
Questions from this article
Prelims practiceWith reference to WIFEX (WINTER FOG EXPERIMENT), consider the following statements:
- WiFEX (Winter Fog Experiment) has completed 10 successful years of research (2015–2025) on dense winter fog over North India.
- The experiment is now entering its next phase – WiFEX-II, aimed at runway-specific fog forecasting at more North Indian airports.
- Announced by Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
View answer
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3. All three statements are drawn from the article.
Mains practiceDiscuss the background, key issues and significance of WIFEX (WINTER FOG EXPERIMENT) for India.
Answer in 250 words.
View answer approach
- Why in News?
- ABOUT WIFEX
- IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES
- WHY WAS WIFEX NEEDED?
- TOOLS & METHODS USED
Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions
Why is Wifex (Winter Fog Experiment) in the news?
WiFEX (Winter Fog Experiment) has completed 10 successful years of research (2015–2025) on dense winter fog over North India. The experiment is now entering its next phase – WiFEX-II, aimed at runway-specific fog forecasting at more North Indian airports.
What are the key facts about Wifex (Winter Fog Experiment)?
Announced by Ministry of Earth Sciences. ABOUT WIFEX Full Form: Winter Fog Experiment Launched: Winter 2015 Objective: To study the formation, persistence, and dispersal of dense fog during North Indian winters, especially over the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). Primary focus area: Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), New Delhi — one of the world’s most fog-affected airports.
Why is Wifex (Winter Fog Experiment) important for UPSC preparation?
The topic connects current developments with Environment, Economy, Polity & Governance and is relevant for both objective revision and analytical answer writing.