With no heat from the Sun to replenish their stocks, their temperature falls. Maximum loss of heat occurs under clear skies. As surface temperature falls the air in closest contact with it begins to cool. Eventually, the surface air will cool below its dew point temperature, and begin to condense water vapour out as dew . When the dew point of the cooling air is below 0 C, hoarfrost results from radiation cooling instead.
Condensation then occurs directly as a crust of white crystals.
Sometimes a much thicker layer of moist air may be cooled. Condensation then occurs throughout, giving rise to fog . Usually wind serves to prevent or restrict the formation of dew, frost or fog. This is because a steady flow of air over the cooling surface does not remain in contact with the ground long enough to cool below its dew point for condensation to occur. The one occasion when wind does not deter condensation is when warm air from different sources passes over a much colder surface.