One More Week. Get Out and Enjoy the Great Weather.

Yup.  That is about the call now.  One more week before this all begins to break down and become nothing more than a pleasant memory.  2010 left like a lion with one strong start to the water year and very cold temperatures.  2011 came in like a lamb with record highs and only a few brief sprinkles of rain.  One more week.  Our high pressure has begun its migration north, and will shift westerly early next week.  By Thursday, a large low pressure system should begin to form in the Gulf of Alaska.  Best guess right now for the return of rain is next Sunday.  And once it comes, it should be more rain, than shine, for a spell.

This weekend, though,  will be off the charts.  If you are a weekend warrior, do not waste this opportunity to work on your tan.  The breeze should be lighter than has been all week and the sky will be mostly clear.  We may see a few higher elevation clouds due to the shifting high pressure, but it is not likely.  Low 70s expected today through Monday in Santa Cruz.  Up to the low 50s in Tahoe.  Even the sunny side of Market Street in SF may top out at 70F.  And this is February.  Ground Hog Day.  Mid-winter!  While my family and friends on the east coast are experiencing one brutal winter storm after another, I am sipping Mai Tais and applying sunblock.  Okay, I am not really sipping on cocktails, but I am applying a lot of sunblock these days.



The surf really jumped up yesterday to about 10' on the face, and the charts look even bigger this morning.  Winds remain light in the mornings, and this should be a pretty good weekend to enjoy waves.  The bike tracks were treated well by last weekend's rain, and the moisture has helped keep the trails nice and tacky.  Wilder is reported as running very well, and the green meadow grass is looking beautiful up there.  Along the coast there are all types of great hikes to get after.  One of my favorites is up in Point Reyes out to Wildcat Falls.  The water is still running pretty well along the coastal falls, although nothing like it was a few weeks ago.  And of course there is always the double excursion to Ano Nuevo for a hike out to the headlands followed by U-Pick kiwi across the street.  Wrap that up with a stop at Pie Ranch for some tasty treats.

And the snow, for you folks heading up there this weekend.  "Variable" will be the word of choice.  Sierra at Tahoe and Kirkwood are getting the best user reports, with still a fair amount of soft snow in northerly facing aspects.  A Northstar skier reported untracked powder still is to be found in a few select spots on the hill.  The wind and cold of the last week has done its best to preserve the fresh snow from Sunday.  The more westerly and southerly facing zones have moved into spring like conditions already - firm in the mornings and softening with the day.  This condition will likely become more widespread after today heats up.  Still, expect to find some winterly chalk in the shadows, and up at the higher elevations.  As for the backcountry, there is still has some unconsolidated powder in select spots, but expect mostly variable conditions running from powder, to chalk, to corn.

A great weekend ahead, and 7 or so days of fair weather to get your outside self in order.  Then be ready for the change of pattern.  No whining please; you have had more than your fair share of sunshine.  Now we need to allow those in the east to dig them selves out.  We still need more rain to make this a good water year, and ask any snowboarder - we need more snow.