Fogust

Fogust is over


August in San Francisco is a very special month. It’s a proper celebration of the city’s iconic fog. While I didn’t go out enough to capture images this month, whenever I did, I wasn’t disappointed. Here is small set of images from around town during August.

The term “Fogust” emerged as a playful portmanteau of “fog” and “August,” reflecting the peak of fog season in the city. The reason we have this thick blanket of mist – aka natural air conditioning – is due to a combination of geographical and meteorological factors:

  • Cold Ocean Currents
  • Warm Inland Temperatures
  • Pressure Differential
  • Topography — the city’s hills and the Golden Gate — acts as a funnel, drawing the fog into the bay and over the city.

This fog provides a natural air conditioning system for San Francisco. It also creates a mysterious atmosphere that is an integral part of the city’s identity.

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On Photography
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Fine Fogust Finds

“The number of foggy days over the city is never reported, reportedly. But take it from me— there’s enough to satisfy everyone, and dissatisfy somebody.”— Herb Caen

One of San Francisco’s great joys is that while the rest of the country (and most of the world) is baking, we are out and about wearing our Patagonia puffers. Yes, there is warmth and sunshine, but it is so fleeting that San Franciscans appreciate nature’s generosity.

I, for one, am delighted by the many shades of fog. There is the May Grey. June Gloom! No Sky July! And then there is the Fogust — the best of them lot. 

Given the rapidity with which our planet’s climate is changing, not necessarily for the better, I am grateful for the familiarity of our un-seasons and the cold cocoon of the fog. Many friends grumble about the cold and gray — but not me. It is

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On Photography
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Cool Gray City, Take Two

Labor Day Weekend is here! And it also means the end of what the locals call, Fogust. This is the official start of our version of summer, and it is called Indian Summer, though it is nothing like an “Indian summer.”

This weekend and the coming week, the temperatures across the Bay Area (and in California at large) will be reaching record levels. There has even been a heat advisory. San Francisco, a city, usually cool because of the winds of the Pacific Ocean, is expecting temperatures in the eighties.

Perhaps, that is why I thought it would make sense to share a few more from my “Cool Gray City” series of photos. It is unlikely that we will see any fog for a while, so this is probably the last set for a few weeks.

Have a great long weekend, everyone! #coolgraycity! 

September 3, 2022. San Francisco

My Cool

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Musings, On Photography
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What’s so great about summer?

San Francisco undercover. Made with iPhone 12 Pro Max

What’s so great about summer? Quite a few things, but for me, it is Fogust: the foggy month of August that we get to enjoy in San Francisco. August is the perfect staycation month for me. 

First of all, I am extra cautious about the emergent strain of the virus — and see no reason to take any risks by traveling. Secondly, I’m not too fond of hot climes. While most of the northern hemisphere enjoys hot days and balmy nights, I much prefer my backyard—daytime highs of 65 degrees and nights that dip down to the low 50s. 

The fog is also a chance to exercise my camera. And spend a lot of time reading — long articles, books, and of course, research papers. I hope that with the arrival of the new month, I will find my writing rhythm. Over the

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Musings
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Fogust is for Yankees and Cricket

Let’s celebrate the onset of August, or, as we San Franciscans like to call it, Fogust! I love the month of August, because it means moody photos and waking up to the foghorn instead of the alarm clock.

It is also the month we see the return of the traditional cricket — test matches between Australia and England, India and West Indies, and a sundry of others for what is being called The World Championship of Test Cricket. It will be played over two years, and I am excited to watch — even though, yet again, the sports governing body has failed to get the basics right. For instance, all host countries will decide which type of ball they will use (which has an impact on the game, believe it or not). There are not many restrictions on the hitting equipment, and there isn’t much consistency in the umpiring standards.

I am

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Musings
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End of Summer, or is it?

The long Labor Day weekend is the end of summer in the United States. No more wearing whites, no more seersucker and no more warm evenings. Of course, none of that really holds true for this corner of the world that I call home (for now) – San Francisco. June through August coastal climate patterns bring in the fog and keep things relatively cold around here. August is fogust for a reason – it is foggy and cold. It was (relatively speaking) freezing this year – temperature never got above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Average high was 65! By the way in 1942, San Francisco had an August this chilly. It is no surprise that the hometown team – SF Giants got cold during the month as well. Damn shame, because I really like the 2016 version of Giants and want them to do another magical run to the World Series.

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Musings
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