How El Niño ocean temperatures are impacting the dense fog blanketing the Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The widespread dense fog covering the Bay Area Monday morning can be directly attributed to extremely warm ocean water temperatures thanks to El Niño.

Sea surface temperatures along the Bay Area coastline are running 7F to 10F+ above average. Water temperatures off the coast of Santa Cruz are approaching 70F, which is extremely warm for this time of the year.

These warmer ocean temperatures off the coast are a direct result of our strengthening El Niño.

Higher ocean water temperatures equal higher water vapor available in our atmosphere. That higher water vapor then equals thicker and more widespread fog.

On storm-free days this fall and winter, we can expect more foggy mornings like this.