May 30, 2016

  • May Gray -- 5/29/16

    Throughout this month of May, I have referred to May Gray and June Gloom.  Both are local phenomena in which the Marine Layer, a layer of overcast and mist or fog, migrates into the Los Angeles Basin overnight, burning off sometime during the next day.  This May, the Marine Layer has been particularly thick, and yesterday it burned off only shortly before dusk, only to build again overnight.  Yesterday, I went to my favorite high overlook specifically to photograph May Gray.  There was a little patch of sun shining on the sea some distance away, but the day was quite gray.  When May Gray lasts all month, it can be quite depressing.

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    Those who follow my posts will perhaps recognize these vistas, but for those who do not, there are tall mountains in the background of the next two shots.

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    Today, Memorial Day, the gray burned off much earlier, and the  day was considerably warmer, and happier.  We expect to see a period of less cloudiness and more warmth for the next week or so.  June Gloom, if it comes in, is very similar to May Gray, although a bit warmer.

Comments (13)

  • We have winter gray that lasts from November to March. At least your gray skies are balanced with some green grass and warm temps! I suppose there are downsides to all climates and locations.

    • I think you're right! I lived in Seattle for a while -- they measure their rain in days rather than inches; in Sacramento, they measure the fog in days and the heat in degrees over 100! I'm truly happy that I live where I do, and don't have to contend with much of the extreme nasty weather occurring across the country right now!

  • The top photo is very lovely - despite the gray day. peace to you always

    • Thanks, Jane! I've been talking about May Gray so much I decided it was time to define it! This was a particularly good example!

  • Gray days can be gentle and peaceful - but if they last too long, I expect they can be depressing. Beautiful pictures.

    • They can be gentle and peaceful -- but it would be nice to see the sun before 3 pm! Just part of living by the ocean!

  • It is mostly cold and clear. Sadie goes out at 4:30 a.. To 52 degrees. She does not seem to mind it.

    My wife loves this kind of photo. She is the artist in the family.

    Have a nice new week, Janet !!

  • Too much of gray can be depressing. But I agree, after a long period of bright sunshine, gray days can be soothing.

    • Today was the first day we had sunshine all day! And by evening, the temp was 85 degrees and the a/c is on!

  • I LOVE the May gray! Inland we appreciate every day that begins with cool because it means it won't end with searing heat. Today, it was about 75 when I got up at six and it rapidly grew warmer.

    • I certainly understand your love of May Gray -- I love the sunshine, and live close enough to the sea that it is a real heat wave before we need fog to cool the air. I hope this heat cools a bit for you very soon!

  • We saw a lot of that smoky-looking gloom in the Smoky Mountains too ~

    • Yes, although the 'smoky' in the Great Smoky Mountains is a good bit brighter than our gloomy days of May and June.

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