What type of winds can lead to the lifting of advection fog into stratus clouds?

The lifting of advection fog into stratus clouds is primarily influenced by the strength of surface winds. Winds of 15 knots or stronger provide sufficient energy to lift the cooler air mass containing the fog upward. This lifting is critical as it increases the air's capacity to support the moisture, allowing the fog to become stratus clouds.

Weaker winds, such as gentle breezes of less than 10 knots, do not possess the necessary momentum to facilitate this lifting process effectively. Similarly, while strong winds exceeding 20 knots may promote some turbulence, they can also disrupt the stability needed for the smooth transition of fog into stratus formation. Calm winds are insufficient to induce any movement at all, preventing the fog from being lifted into higher cloud layers. Hence, the optimal condition for this process to occur is with winds of 15 knots or stronger, making that the correct choice.