Coastal california is famous for fog and smog (fog mixed with smoke). why is the california coast foggy/smoggy, whereas houston, texas, which is at similar latitude, might get occasional smog from too many cars, but fog is relatively rare?
a) warm air in texas rises to make clouds and not fog, whereas in california cold water from the ocean mixes with warm water from the land to generate fog. b) the ocean is warm off the texas coast, but a cold current running offshore california generates fog when the cold, moist air is drawn ashore by a sea breeze. c) cold currents along the texas coast inhibit fog, whereas the ocean is warm off california. d) there isn't really any fog; it is all just smog from too many

Because ocean is warm off the “Texas coast”, but a “cold current” running “offshore California” generates “fog” when the “cold”, “moist air” is drawn ashore by a “sea breeze”.

Option: B

Explanation:

Coastal California is famous for fog and smog as the Pacific Ocean participate in the frequency of fog by catering atmospheric moisture and with the help of its temperature. “The prevailing current” flows from the “northwest” along California coast and in the “North Pacific” its origin is cooled. For “condensation” of “moisture” from “vapor” into “cloud droplets”. Pacific Ocean is an important source of nuclei. As Houston and Texas cities lie at similar latitude and might get smog occasionally but fog is rare because “ocean” is “warm” off the “Texas coast”.