What type of fog is commonly found along the western coast of the United States?

Advection fog is commonly found along the western coast of the United States due to the interaction of warm, moist air moving over cooler ocean waters. This process leads to the cooling of the air to its dew point, causing the moisture in the air to condense and form fog. The geographical and climatic conditions along the coast, especially influenced by the Pacific Ocean, create ideal circumstances for advection fog to develop.

In contrast, other types of fog, such as radiation fog, typically form in calm conditions at night when the ground loses heat, leading to cooling of the air near the surface. Upslope fog occurs when moist air is forced up a slope, cooling as it rises, while ground fog forms very close to the ground. These processes are less prevalent along the western coast in the context of typical coastal weather patterns, making advection fog the predominant type in that region.