Coastal California has experienced significantly less fog and higher humidity this summer due to El Niño conditions. Although August is traditionally known locally as “Fogust” for its thick marine layers, residents have instead noticed unusual amounts of sunshine.
This weather shift stems from above-average sea surface temperatures stretching from the equatorial Pacific up the West Coast. While exploring places to go across the region, visitors have certainly noticed the surprising lack of the typical chilly summer marine layer.
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The Science Behind the Missing Fog
Dense coastal fog typically forms when cool ocean water lowers the temperature of the air above it down to the dew point. Because current ocean waters are too warm, they fail to cool the air sufficiently, thereby preventing fog formation.
Ocean Temperatures and Upwelling
This warmth disrupts the typical Pacific high-pressure system and halts the cool California Current that normally drives coastal upwelling. If you are planning a trip and looking for places to stay, you will find that coastal accommodations are currently enjoying much clearer skies than usual.
Simultaneously, these warm waters accelerate surface evaporation, driving up dew points and boosting humidity levels on land. San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles have all recorded historic levels of summer humidity during this strange seasonal anomaly.
Humidity and Warm Nights
The elevated atmospheric moisture acts like a blanket, trapping heat and resulting in record-warm summer nights across the coast. Many travelers checking out local things to do are sweating through evening strolls that are usually characterized by brisk, foggy air.
The El Niño Impact
Ultimately, El Niño is directly responsible for suppressing the classic coastal fog while elevating humidity and overnight temperatures. Whether you are visiting nearby spots like Sausalito or relaxing further north, this weather pattern has completely rewritten summer norms.
Residents and visitors alike continue to navigate these unusually humid conditions while hoping for a return to traditional patterns. For now, checking reliable travel tools can help you stay prepared for unexpected heat and moisture.
Here is the source article for this story: Coastal California has seen less fog and more humidity due to El Niño
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