Note: click the photograph for a larger view.

It’s 5:52 p.m. and I caught the sun setting into the Pacific Coast marine layer gazing through the trees on the world-famous Torrey Pines Golf Course.

The marine layer is formed as cold ocean water such as is found on the Pacific Coast inCalifornia cools the air just above it. Warmer air above that layer acts like a seal, and keeps the air below it from mixing and dispersing. In the case of Southern and Central California, a steady west wind often brings the marine layer ashore overnight, blanketing coastal communities in a cool, thick advection fog. This can last until midday when the heat of the sun is frequently strong enough to break the inversion layer and dissipate the effects. In California, the marine layer is most common from spring through to fall. The colloquial term “June Gloom” is used by locals to refer to the persistent gray marine layer overcast that is typically prevalent during that month. Drizzle or light rain can also be associated with a particularly wet marine layer. (via Wiki Answers)

What a fabulous ending to a glorious day!
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