I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one who loves the sound! Maybe I'm an oddball, but I love foggy weather (as long as I'm not driving in it). It makes me feel more cozy and snug in my home. And the foghorns actually help lull me to sleep.

It has to do with the way that sound travels. Sound travels better at night because of air density. (That's why you get woken up by a television and hear more ghosts.)

Found this on the internet. Don't know how accurate it is:

The more matter to transmit the sound, the farther and faster it goes. Thus, sound travels faster thru air than thru space (where it's a vacuum and it doesn't travel at all.) And sound travels faster and farther thru water than thru air. Add some water to air and it'll do better than dry air. Sound also travels better on cloudy days because the sound will bounce off the clouds and back to earth.

I was surprised to hear it so clearly as far inland as Jersey Ave, but I agree, it's an awesome sound.

I love that sound too -I find it quite comforting even on land.

I love that sound.

I am a bit of insomniac so was up....and kept hearing that sound....I just thought it must be a massive, slow moving ship in the port area. Cool to know the real reason behind it.

woke me up. it was really foggy this morning though.

Quote:It's required by maritime law...not easy to stop a barge in-tow.

Ferries, tugs, and other so equipped watercraft in the river and harbor. Considering the (dissipating?) thick fog and measly marker lights on local boata, I'd say yes, it's necessary.

What's up with that droning fog horn noise that's been going off tonight and this morning? Is that really necessary? Where is it coming from?