Orange County - Sunny Mornings? (San Francisco, Sacramento: appointed, lease, live)

[wander-wee]

I moved to Orange County from the Northeast Bay area last summer. One thing I noticed was the lack of sunny mornings here. I was always under the impression that SoCal had an abundance of sunshine year-round. I'm kinda disappointed with the nonstop, balmy overcast that burns off into this filtered haze by the afternoon. I only recall a few days back in February where the sky was crystal blue much like the Napa area where I'm from. Every day I wish that mother nature would blow all the gunk out to sea but it rarely happens..
Im really curious as to why that is?

[LagunaMom]

It's called the marine layer:
Marine layer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It's cool to see the leading edge of it with sun above your head, like if you're heading in from Lake Elsinore.
The farther you are inland, the less of a problem it is, particularly if there are mountains between you and the ocean.

[wander-wee]

After my lease is up in September I may move further inland. It makes me depressed.

[pacific2]

Think of it as Mother Nature's way of grounding us; keeping us in touch with what is real. I love walking my dogs in the cool misty mornings.

[Fontucky]

Currently enjoying leaden skies and 61° in the Cucamonga Valley.

Inland isn't immune from May gray and June gloom. We see it as blessed relief from what we'll be sweltering under July thru early November.

[Calix]

Originally Posted by pacific2

Think of it as Mother Nature's way of grounding us; keeping us in touch with what is real. I love walking my dogs in the cool misty mornings.

I love it as well. As far as I'm concerned, its nearly perfect weather. Nice fog and low clouds keeps the oppressive sun at bay, nice gently filtered sunny afternoons, then the clouds roll in like a blanket keeping you snug and safe all night.

Best weather in the world, wish most of the year could be like May and June!

[legal_eagle]

I am also a fan of the morning overcast skies. It helps ease the transition into the day, instead of being assaulted first thing by full sunlight.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by wander-wee

I moved to Orange County from the Northeast Bay area last summer. One thing I noticed was the lack of sunny mornings here. I was always under the impression that SoCal had an abundance of sunshine year-round. I'm kinda disappointed with the nonstop, balmy overcast that burns off into this filtered haze by the afternoon. I only recall a few days back in February where the sky was crystal blue much like the Napa area where I'm from. Every day I wish that mother nature would blow all the gunk out to sea but it rarely happens..
Im really curious as to why that is?

Anybody from the Bay Area would have to be familiar with this phenomenon. Have you never looked out across San Francisco from the East Bay and seen the giant fog bank that often hangs off the coast? My guess is you've never before lived that close to the ocean. Napa would be more similar to Eastern Orange County. Sounds like you'll be a huge fan of the Santana winds.

[cityx]

Yes but if the OP was located in the Napa Valley which is 40-60 miles from the coast, it most certainly would be sunnier due to the minimal marine influence. You're generalizing the entire bay area climate as foggy and cool which is absolutely not the case. When I lived in Sacramento I took many day trips to Napa and Saint Helena and never encountered our type of 'June Gloom' there. In fact, the climate there is virtually identical to Sacramento: hot, sunny, and dry.

[KaraG]

Originally Posted by wander-wee

After my lease is up in September I may move further inland. It makes me depressed.

I also got depressed with those skies, which is why we lived in south inland Orange County, skies are much bluer, more sun, warmer, just how I like it. One year I worked in Costa Mesa, thinking I could take a nice sunny lunch time walk, unfortunately, it was still gloomy every day at noon.