The (Warm and Sunny) Quiet Before the Storm.

OMG it is gorgeous out there right now.  I am just back in from running errands in downtown Santa Cruz and it is hot out.  What a beautiful day.  Don't forget the sunblock, especially if you are getting out in the water this afternoon.  Steamer Lane was looking fun (and crowded) as I drove by.  Near perfect tides this afternoon and easing swell.  If you are reading this toward the end of your day, sneak out and start the weekend early.

Just a quick update on timing over the next few days.  Warm and sunny again tomorrow.  We should see increasing clouds and slightly cooler temperatures on Sunday.  Monday the gloom will fill in with even cooler air and we should see rain by evening.  Be prepared for a slower evening commute.  Showers should be mostly light south of SF, but areas north may see some moderate to heavy rain.   Tuesday looks like the heavy rain will filter in to the Monterey Bay region.  Colder again on Wednesday, with the heaviest precipitation shifting south toward Point Conception.  Keeps on getting colder each day, but Thursday will see lighter and variable precipitation.

The models are not all in agreement as we look beyond a week out - and it should be noted that these waves above may actually come in a little different than forecasted.  Next Friday some models have a system coming across our area, which would mean heavy rains.  Others have it driving down the coast with the storm moving on shore by San Diego, and bringing with it an arctic blast.  Snow in LA?  Now that would be a change in the weather pattern for sure.  I'll keep an eye on it all and report back.

After that is still way up in the air, but we continue to look unsettled through months end.  The storm doors remain open through the period, so we don't expect any extended periods of high pressure like (or even kind of like) the one we just had.  Ski week is currently looking less storm filled than next week, but it is still a ways off.  But you can plan on an excellent ski week.  We should see at least four feet of snow up in the higher elevations by the end of next week.  Potential powder days begin as early as Tuesday.  My best bet right now is for a great Friday the 18th.  Regardless, it is going to get soft, and cold.  One the firm base gets buried it should be blower and face shots.

Get out and enjoy the weekend.  Perhaps plan a beach party BBQ.  It sure is easier to get a fire pit in February.  I mentioned cleaning the gutters a bit back, but that got me thinking.  Look around you property for items that may collect water.  Anything that may have been left out, or it may have been there for years.  Get rid of them; clean up the yard.  We are going to get some serious rain, and puddles are breeding grounds for mosquitos.  Help preserve a mosquito free zone by doing your part and stop the puddles.