Seven and a Half Feet of New Snow. And More Falling Today.

Not that I have seen it for myself.  As you can probably discern from my pictures, I am still enjoying a wet and relaxing stay in Big Sur.  Here it has been all rain.  But word on the street is that snow levels dropped to 2000 feet last night; some of you folks around the bay may be able to see white hill tops.  Further east, along the Sierra Crest, over 90 inches of fresh is being reported for this week.  Today, and tonight, the storm will continue.  When all is said and done, we may top ten feet of new snow along the crest.  Half that, or more is expected around the lake.  This is the pattern change I have been talking about.  And it should stick around for a few weeks or more.

The line of heavy rain will move south along the coast today.  This morning, SF (and north) was already seeing some clearing.  While showers have returned in the area, the radar shows that the heaviest precipitation is now to our south.  SoCal is preparing for a drenching.  While we should expect showers to continue through tomorrow, Sunday is still looking to be a cool, but partly sunny day for the coast.  Get out and enjoy some of that.  We do have a slight chance for light (in comparison to the last few days) rain to return Monday and Tuesday, but this morning's guidance keeps that storm to our west.  The other change, though, is for some inside slider action returning wet weather to the region later next week.  It remains cool throughout the period.  Chance of more significant storms return the following week and into March.  The door remains open.

If you are planning to head up to the hills for the holiday weekend, please use caution.  Pack extra food, water and warm clothes.  Give your self extra time, and extra room on the road.  Carry chains (and put them on if you have 2WD).  Call ahead (800.427.7623) to be sure the roads are open.  And plan on thousands of Bay Area folks to be on the road with you.  Tomorrow could be awesome, but only if you arrive safely.  And bring your fat rockered skis.  You will want them.

As for you surfers, it looks like we are returning to fair conditions today, as the wind swings back around to off shore.  Northeast winds build in today and stick around for the weekend.  Mid period swell should continue in the head high range.  This should be a decent weekend to get out there and enjoy some smaller surf.  Monday, we should get another bout of south winds, before a return to the NE on Tuesday.  Swell begins to fade with the week.  Long term, we are looking at few swell producing storms, so get on it while it lasts.

The long and short?  Rain today, subsiding over night.  Lingering showers on Saturday, but clearing weather.  The sun pokes out for a hello on Sunday.  Get some.  Showers possible early next week, and likely late next week.  Next strong system around the first of March.  Hope you enjoyed the warm and dry weather the first six weeks of the year.  Winter has returned and is looking for revenge.