Smog during the winter (Los Angeles, Fresno: moving to, beaches, office)

[alexanderaf]

I've only been to Los Angeles twice now, once in April and once in August. Both times the smog was not 'bad', but it was significant enough that you could only see the outline of the mountains.

Then I came across this picture (see the top)...



Was the photographer just lucky that day, or does the smog clear away that much during the winter? I'll be moving to the El Segundo area next April, and I just wanted to know. Thanks!

[KnoxTown]

It looks like that after it rains.

[LASam]

In general, the air is much clearer (less smog and fog) in the winter, and especially right after it rains.

[BRinSM]

has it even rained since you've moved here knox? we rarely get rain, but it does clear things up when it does happen. the winds usually clear things up as well, but lately they've been starting fires, so not much clearing is happening. as for the seasons, things definitely get more clear when the average highs drop into the 60s. combine that with a recent rain storm, and those are the days when you can really see catalina and the mountains. i remember one day a year or two ago when i could see big bear from my office in century city. that has to nearly 100 miles away. it makes me want to go outside just to breathe.

[KnoxTown]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

has it even rained since you've moved here knox? we rarely get rain, but it does clear things up when it does happen. the winds usually clear things up as well, but lately they've been starting fires, so not much clearing is happening. as for the seasons, things definitely get more clear when the average highs drop into the 60s. combine that with a recent rain storm, and those are the days when you can really see catalina and the mountains. i remember one day a year or two ago when i could see big bear from my office in century city. that has to nearly 100 miles away. it makes me want to go outside just to breathe.

Not this time around(well it rained a little last week or so), but that doesn't count... when I was here last winter I got to experience it.

[bhcompy]

its not always smog that limits visibility. we are on the coast and have a dense marine layer for large periods of time during the winter and even some during summer. this combined with coastal humidity will make long distance visibility a problem for much of the year. the smog adds to it, but honestly the smog isnt that bad. compared to where it was in the 80s, we've improved dramatically.

[alexanderaf]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

its not always smog that limits visibility. we are on the coast and have a dense marine layer for large periods of time during the winter and even some during summer. this combined with coastal humidity will make long distance visibility a problem for much of the year. the smog adds to it, but honestly the smog isnt that bad. compared to where it was in the 80s, we've improved dramatically.

One of my relatives in El Seg swears that in the 80's the smog was so bad it would sting your eyes!

[dereistic01]

i remember when it was raining back in february, i went to the observatory the day after it rained. i could see the ocean and the mountains with snow on them, it was that clear. cant wait for it to rain again so i can go back up there and see more than just smog.

[ferretkona]

Originally Posted by alexanderaf

One of my relatives in El Seg swears that in the 80's the smog was so bad it would sting your eyes!

The 70's were even worse. Clear but deadly skies.
We could see Mt Wilson from home, look to the east more and there was Mt Baldy. Catalina was visible all day from the southern beaches. But the air would feel like sandpaper on your eyes.

What we have now is marine layer, looks like smog because of the limited visibility.

[puffle]

California is one of the smogiest states in the nation with Los Angeles number one followed by Fresno and Bakersfield. It is rare to be able to see the mountains when driving on the 101 freeway toward Glendale. Even as far back in Ventura you can't see the mountains of San Bernadino, but I would say it is a little clearer in the winter especially January.