Ground fogs blanket coastal zones, Hunter Moon rises on October 9

Dense Ground Fogs are a trademark of the onset of autumn along San Diego’s coastal strip. Fog materializes during the night and early morning hours when moist marine air that has settled in valleys and low areas is chilled below the dew point. These ground fogs are distinct from the low overcast (“marine layer”) that usually blankets the coastal zone on latespring and summer mornings.

Spider Webs, decorated with myriads of tiny dew droplets, are a beautiful sight on foggy autumn mornings. Look for them in San Diego’s wild canyons and park areas, or in your own backyard.

The Harvest Moon is the full Moon which occurs nearest to the date of the autumnal equinox (September 22, 2022). Similarly, the Hunter’s Moon is the first full Moon to follow the Harvest Moon, so it can occur in either October or November. This year, the Harvest Moon occurred on September 10, so the Hunter's Moon rises in the east on Sunday, October 9 at 1:54pm. It will be below the horizon at this time, so we’ll have to wait until sunset to watch it rise and take its place in the sky. This is a perfect time of year to take a late afternoon walk and enjoy some of the last “Indian summer” weather we’re likely to experience before winter’s slight chill sets in. Just make sure you have an open vista toward the eastern sky in order to see the moon.