Time To Close The Door on Storms. Spring has Sprung.

OMG.  We awoke to sunshine here in Santa Cruz.  And you can feel the difference.  Today is looking variable over the region, with the northern stretches having more clouds and a likelihood of rain showers by afternoon.  But do not fret, we all get a piece of spring in the coming days.  As the sun breaks out today and over the next week, the air will start to get much warmer.  Get out there and play today if you need to work tomorrow.  If your days off are Wednesday and Thursday, you are stoked for some spring time weather.

Still deeeeep powder landings around

In the Sierra, the weather does not quite break today.  This morning begins partly cloudy and breezy.  Clouds will increase along with wind speed, and snow showers begin around mid day.  Only a few inches will fall this evening, so really, not much more new snow.  As several resorts have already broke 700 inches for the season, more snow is not really needed.  Keep those boards waxed though, as many resorts have already extended their riding season into March this year.  Today, the resorts are still digging out and working on controlling avalanche zones.  So be patient, it will take some time to get the upper mountain and backsides open.  Starting tomorrow, things really warm up, with 50s expected on the hills by mid week.  We will go from neck deep powder to creamed corn in just a few days.  That is often the case in California.  Go figure.  And the touring should be epic.

Sage, chard & choy

As for us folks down by the coast.  The further south you are, the greater chance of sun.  By mid day, clouds should be filling in across the region, and points north will see some showers.  Rain will continue a bit through the evening and perhaps overnight.  By Monday morning, we should be seeing the end to the rain, for at least several days.  At a glance, the warmest day of the week should be Thursday.  Mid 70s in Santa Cruz and in the south bay.  Perhaps a peak of 70 up in the city.  Tomorrow and Saturday should see temps in the low to mid 60s, and a pretty even bell curve in between.  Overnight lows hang out in the mid 40s to low 50s.  By Sunday, we start to see the chance of showers for a day or two.  Currently, it looks like this will only be a light passing system, and not a return to massive rains.

Based on historical records of La Nina years, it would be safe to assume that we are done with winter.  Often, La Ninas start a bit early with heavy rains in December, January and February and end abruptly in March.  While that is not really the profile of the winter we had, you could suggest that La Nina took a 6 week vacation starting in early January, and returned to finish her deal just a bit late.  I mean, this is an abrupt change in weather pattern from the last several weeks.  And it does not really look like there is much showing on the long term models.  Still, do not put down your guard.  There is some suggestion from the teleconnections that we may see a resurgence of storms starting in early April.  Regardless, whatever does come to pass, we doubt it will look like this past week.  It will more likely be one storm at a time breaking through the high pressure, instead of a string of several very strong storms.

Fava, peas, chard, broccoli, brussels & garlic

So you know what that means.  It really is time now to get out to that garden.  Today, and the next few days, will be a great time to get your tomato seedlings out in the garden.  You may even want to consider getting some cucumbers started in situ (or just planting the seed in the garden directly).  We are moving into some perfect growing weather, with a very wet soil and looking at period of significant solar radiation.  The late March sun this week will warm that soil.  As we shift into April, be sure to check you soil, as it will begin to dry a bit, especially in raised beds.  You will also want to keep an eye on any leafy winter vegetable you have, as they may want to go to seed.  Choys are often the first to bolt, then spinach, chard, lettuce and kale.  Harvest them before they flower for best flavor.

So, this week will be almost as nice a January.  Joking.  It will actually be nicer, as our sun is much higher in the sky and will feel much much warmer.  Get out there and enjoy the week.  Next weekend may have some showers, but they currently look brief.  Next week, at this point, looks fair.