Wind, Rain, More Wind, and Then Finally A Very Nice Weekend Indeed.

Notch Rock and the parking lot post early April snow.

This is an interesting week we are in, and is a perfect representation of transitional weather.  Spring and the last remnants of winter are battling back and forth for dominance.  While winter is putting in a good fight, it looks like this week will go to spring.  Unless you live north of the CA/OR line, in which case, be ready for more winter (ie. rain).  But that does not mean the bay will see a perfect week.  Rather, we get a little back and forth before we settle into a pretty damn nice looking weekend.

Basically, the week ahead looks to be pretty nice with seasonal temperatures and mild weather except for a few disturbances that pass by just to our north.  These systems will bring with them cooler air, some clouds and a slight chance of showers.  As you move north through the forecast area, the likelihood of rain and clouds increase.  The "storm" days for this week will be on Wednesday and Friday.  After Friday's system, we see some nice warming over the weekend, as our high pressure finally bubbles up over the central coast.  Next week starts with some slight cooling and possible inclement weather.  More on that later.

Turbines at the pass will be spinning the next few days.

Down here on the coast, yesterday was a chilly one.  While the sun was warm, the air was cool, and partly cloudy skies kept things from ever really warming up.  Today will be a bit warmer, breaking into the 60s across the region, with nearly crystal clear skies.  The wind will begin to kick up this afternoon, as a cold front approaches our north, cooling things off a bit in the afternoon.  Get out there and enjoy the lunch hour if you can.  Wednesday looks to be cooler, cloudy and a with chance of rain, especially in the north and in the evening.  Santa Cruz should stay mostly dry, with Marin seeing some showers throughout the afternoon.  Thursday to look more like today with less wind, and just a bit warmer.  Friday's system will be even further north, and we might not see any effects from it.  It will be a fair amount warmer than today, in the high 60s, with a few clouds.  The real gem will be this weekend.  Plan for some fun in the sun, as local temperatures will range from low 70s to maybe even 80F (Pinnacles NP again!) and the winds remain light.  Best day?  Saturday looks to be slightly warmer, but this may change as the high settles in and pumps in the warm air.  Cooler air to start the next week.

It is corn season up in the Sierra.  The fresh snow from last week's storm lasted through perhaps Saturday.  By Sunday, there was little of the cold snow left, with most of it starting to go through the melt-freeze cycle.  By Monday morning, the corn harvest had started on most aspects, with the north slopes being the slowest to change.  Depending on how this week turns out, we may see some great corn developing across the region.  The only thing that will slow it down is if any of these next two storms get into the mountains.  For the most part, it will be warm, and any precipitation that does fall, will fall as rain, below 7000 feet.  Still, it does not look likely that we will get much more than a drizzle or a dusting.  As the sun comes back out, so will the corn.  Best days look like today, Thursday (maybe Friday) and the weekend will not be too shabby - but perhaps a bit warm.  Overnight lows will keep the snow pack in good condition, with nightly freezes.

High tide at Cowell's before the storm

The surf has been decent recently, and would be great if it were not for the demon winds.  Mid to long period swells have been impacting the coast the last week, and continue through the middle part of the current week.  Today we have overhead surf and stronger NW winds, keeping the spots out of town pretty haggard.  Steamer's is looking good with shoulder to slightly overhead surf.  This should continue through today and tomorrow, as long as south winds don't kick up with the approaching front.  Swell begins to dwindle with the week, as does the wind (a bit).  By the weekend, we should be looking at just some smaller wind swell, but the weather will be nice.  Best chance for some good surf on the open coast will be Thursday morning, as the winds may blow out of the NE for a few hours after Wednesday's systems kicks through.  Long term?  You may need to break out that mountain bike or go slide on some snow, as the storm systems want to take a spring break.

A mild week, with some bouts of turbulence.  A bit warmer today, cooler (and cloudier) tomorrow.  Things slowly getting better toward the weekend, with a chance of clouds Friday.  Spectacular weekend ahead. Slightly cooler to start next work week.  Have fun.