Measurement and modelling of dew in island, coastal and alpine areas

A computer model that includes simple meteorological data (air temperature and relative humidity, wind speed, cloud cover) is used to determine the thermal balance and fit to dew mass evolution. Two parameters that account for heat and mass exchange can be adjusted. It was found that, within the uncertainties, these two numbers are the same for the two continental sites, thus allowing dew formation on plates to be evaluated from only simple meteorological measurements. Somewhat larger values are found for the island, due to limitations in the model, which are discussed.