Less fog on the Central Coast has researchers concerned

“A nice fire in the fireplace and the fog drifting through the trees outside, its romantic,” said Monterey resident Larry Daniels.

For some, it sets the mood but others can do without it.

“Sometimes it can be annoying if you’re driving and it’s too thick,” said Robert Conant of Seaside. “But I’m sure it can be good for the world.”

Fog collector and Cal state Monterey Bay scientist Daniel Fernandez says fog is not hovering over the central coast the way it used to.

“We’re seeing a definite decrease in fog as I’ve mentioned from previous years,” said Fernandez.

It’s discovery he made after working with standard fog machines that collect water droplets on mesh to measure the amount of water gathered.

Fernandez says in the last couple of years those collections have dwindled.

“Less than a third of the fog water that I’ve had on some other moderate years and less than a tenth that I’ve seen on some of the bigger years,” said Fernandez.

Scientists believe the changes in the fog may have to do with the climate warming up.

As we get warmer sea surface temperatures we have less fog forming off the coast and less fog blowing in from the ocean so it could perhaps be a result of climate change,” said Fernandez.

Scientists believe less fog hugging the central coast is a concern because many plants and animals rely on it.

“Many trees we’re seeing are stressed in times of drought anyway and having less fog water is just going to exasperate that issue,” said Fernandez.

While residents may not rely on fog, many say it’s a part of life on the Monterey Bay.

“I think fog is an interesting phenomenon,” said Fernandez. “I think it drives people’s imaginations and gets us to think in a different way just having fog.”

Dozens of the standard fog collectors are located between Big Sur and Humboldt County for researches to look more into the changes in the fog cycle and its impact on the environment.