Coastal California is famous for fog and smog (fog mixed with smoke). Why is the California coast foggy/smoggy, whereas Houston, Texas, which is at similar latitude, might get occasional smog from too many cars, but fog is relatively rare?
◦ Cold currents along the Texas coast inhibit fog, whereas the ocean is warm off California.
◦ The ocean is warm off the Texas coast, but a cold current running offshore California generates fog when the cold, moist air is drawn ashore by a sea breeze.
◦ Warm air in Texas rises to make clouds and not fog, whereas in California cold water from the ocean mixes with warm water from the land to generate fog.
◦ There isn't really any fog; it is all just smog from too many cars in California.