Fog composition in the Central Valley of California over three decades

•Fog chemistry has been studied in the Central Valley for 30 years.•Fog density and occurrence are lower in the southern part.•Fog pH is high (> 5) in recent years.•Ammonium and nitrate are major ions; sulfate is only abundant in the southern part.•Fog occurrence appears to have decreased substantially over time.

Numerous fog studies have been conducted in the Central Valley of California since the 1980s, making it one of the most studied locations in the world in terms of fog chemistry. The present work reviews observational fog studies in the area and discusses overall chemical composition as well as spatial variability and temporal variability. Regionally there is a clear gradient in fog occurrence with less fog and lower density (liquid water content, LWC) fog in the southern part of the Valley (Bakersfield) compared to more northern locations like Fresno or Davis. Chemically, fogs in the southern valley have higher solute loadings and lower pH compared to more northern locations (Davis and Fresno). Overall fog chemistry is dominated in the valley by the ammonia–nitric acid–ammonium nitrate system with sulfate being a rather minor component, especially at more northern locations and in more recent years. Fog pH in recent years is consistently higher than 5, showing an absence of acid in fogs in this region. LWC values appear to have decreased over recent years (less dense fogs). An airport visibility assessment of fog frequency reveals that overall dense fogs (visibility of less than 1/4 mile) have decreased by ~ 50% over the last 30 years.