Why San Diego sunsets are on fire right now

• The sweet spot is December and January, but not if there's wet weather because the type of cloud matters.

Between the lines: San Diego's location in the subtropics makes the difference here because there is a lot of moisture in the air, typically in the form of high, cirrus clouds.

• Sunlight bends and refracts through the thin ice crystals suspended tens of thousands of feet in the sky, bringing out the vibrant pinks and oranges. 
• The key is being on the edge of the storms hundreds of miles away in the Pacific Ocean that push those clouds our way. 

What they're saying: "When we have these drier winters, then we don't end up getting the thicker rain clouds that ruin it all," National Weather Service meteorologist Alex Tardy told Axios.

• Santa Ana winds also clear out the marine layer and make visibility crisper.

What we're watching: This winter is expected to be warmer and drier than average, which will make for more ideal viewing conditions. 

• The sun sets around 4:45pm most days this month.
• With a thick layer of cirrus clouds, the best time to see the cotton candy and fiery colors collide is for about 20 minutes after the sun sinks below the horizon. 

💭 My thought bubble: Take this as your permission slip to leave work early and catch golden hour from one of these signature sunset spots.