Patterns of the Marine Layer by area (San Diego, Long Beach: home, property taxes)

[skyway31]

Hello everyone, this is my first post. I moved from Florida 7 years ago and have lived in many areas of SoCal, typically always near the coast. The largest chunk of time was spent in Hermosa Beach where the marine layer is quite prevalent. This was a major point of disappointment for me as, despite all the thunderstorms of Florida, you also pretty much had sunshine every day too. Going through several days in a row my first summer without seeing the sun was both despressing and shocking. I started to study the marine layer somewhat and came to find that it is not exactly the same in every coastal community. Having worked in San Pedro for the last 4 years, I've been right on a border of where there is a distinctive difference in duration of overcast periods. Many times, by 12 or 1 pm, If I look North/Northwest, I see a strong bank of clouds. If I look South/Southeast, it is sunny. It is pretty certain that Catalina Island blocks or breaks up the marine layer from San Pedro south. But south to where? I'm certain that moving south threw Newport Beach this area of markedly less marine layer exists (as compared to Hermosa Beach and other areas). How far south can you go to enjoy this break? Laguna? Dana Point?

*I should note I'm fully aware that Newport etc are plenty familiar with the marine layer and that it is very much a part of the weather there. If you haven't traveled up and down the coast and made it a point to notice the differences in prevalence of the marine layer, please don't bother responding. Thanks!*

[gsxrcranke]

Its sunny in San Clemente right now! But really I know what you mean. The problem of the marine layer is property taxes. The Higher the taxes the less of a marine layer. Think I'm joking? Take Newport Beach for instance, they suffer the highest taxes but the least marine layer. Coincidence? I think not. In all truth though the marine layer strikes without warning anywhere and at any time. The way I deal with it, is... if it is blanketing my beautiful beach community I drive north. Every time I have done this I only get about 15 minutes from home before I find sun. Try it!

[DewDropInn]

I'd just like to say that we've already had a bunch of days over 100 degrees here in Phoenix. I'd love a nice marine layer.

[skyway31]

Yeah, right as I type this we are in one of those moments where I can look south throuhg Long Beach and down the OC coast and see that its sunny. I look North at the top of the hill in PV and see clouds.

I gather you live in San Clemente? I kinda figure that about 10 min up the 5 from San Clemente is where the coast still is somewhat "protected" by Catalina. Of course, if you just head up the 5, you are also going to go through a stretch where you're further from the ocean. Still, I'm kinda working off the assumption that south Laguna is right about where the next border is where the marine layer changes.

There are also similar zones like this up in Santa Barbara where the Channel Islands provide blockage. Ventura is often overcast as you head up the 101 and then you get to sun as you head into SB.

[bhcompy]

We have a marine layer through most of June until mid afternoon in Los Alamitos about 2 miles from the beach right next to Long Beach.

And I thank god for it because it means one less month of intense heat all day

[skyway31]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

We have a marine layer through most of June until mid afternoon in Los Alamitos about 2 miles from the beach right next to Long Beach.

And I thank god for it because it means one less month of intense heat all day

LOL. I've lived near the coast in various parts of SoCal (Hermosa, Santa Monica, PB in San Diego and Newport briefly) for 7 years. The post above is what I was hoping to avoid. That's why I specifically asked fror generalized answers from people that haven't observed different parts of the coast to be omitted. No hard feelings. Thanks

[Charles]

Go to this page

National Weather Service - Western Region Headquarters

http://sat.wrh.noaa.gov/satellite/lo...ype=vis&size=1



and click on the 1km satellite animation. You can see what parts of SoCal clear out first. Some places may clear out before others, or maybe different places may clear out at different times.

[skyway31]

Thanks. I suppose one could monitor that every so often to compare areas.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Fog is an acquired taste. The best thing is to embrace it. Don't fight it. The pay back for all the "fog sieges" are all the sunny days the rest of the year.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

BTW SB can experience weeks straight with no burn off. Don't be fooled. Just embrace it, it is a key thing that says, I am on the California coast and no where else.