Surf's Up, Dudes.

Overhead southy at Steamers Lane, Santa Cruz.

For reals.  The first solid south swell of the summer season rolled in last night, and things are looking pretty sizable out there this morning.  No, it is not a Maverick's thing, but for summertime, this is one of those rare overhead days.  Deep water swell is showing this morning at about 3.5 feet at 20 seconds, delivering well overhead surf at Steamer's.  On top of the wave viewing, whales have been spotted traveling north along the coast recently.  A pod of two were breaching around Lighthouse Point this morning.  Good times.  Spots in Santa Cruz will offer up the best surf today and over the next few days, as a strong north west gradient keeps the winds onshore on the open coast and points north.  South winds may begin to impact from Marin to Oregon as a storm approaches the PNW late on Friday.  Swell looks like it should peak in size Friday and stick around through the weekend.  A second pulse from the storm that produced today's swell should arrive late on Monday.  In short, we should have decent waves for about the next week.  On top of the south, a few smaller, late season north swells should impact our coast.  One on Friday and another arriving perhaps late Sunday.  Now, if only those winds would go slack.

May blooms and surfer statue enjoy some sun.

The storm that kept us cool and wet over the past weekend finally broke on Wednesday morning.  The sun peeked through the clouds by dawn and was dominant by afternoon.  Still, the cool air that filtered in last week has settled into our area and should remain for at least the next week.  As it stands now, we may have a warm up starting around Thursday and peaking around Memorial Day.  Wouldn't that be nice.  Time will tell.  As for now a marine layer built in after the passing of this last storm system, which means fog for the coast and low areas near the bay.  It currently looks like this may break by Sunday, as the next system passes to our north.  During this period it will be rare to see daytime highs break into the 70s around the bay, except for a brief period in Santa Cruz.  The Santa Cruz Mountains will see some warmer days today and Friday, near Ben Lomand, as will the Walnut Creek/ Concord zone.  San francisco will be chilly, in the mid 60s and well fogged in, especially in the Sunset.  No rain on the horizon, as the next system stays well north.

The Sierra ended up with anywhere from two to four feet of snow up above 7000 feet.  For May, this is astonishing.  We now look like this season was in the top ten for all time snowfall.  Showery weather may continue through the week as wrap around continues to impact the mountains from the east.  Still, the bulk of the snow is over.  As temperatures warm, and the sun comes out, the snowpack will lose stability quickly.  Use caution if you plan to venture out over the next few days before that corn cycle becomes well established.  things could still be sketchy for this coming weekend.  While all this snow is a boom for spring skiers and will keep the tours good through at least mid June, the real excitement is in regard to the water.  We are now approaching 200% for our water year in many drainages with over 5 months still to go.  Another wintery storm in June and thunderstorms over the summer may push us over the edge.  And for the kayakers and rafters, a killer season is expected ahead.  With the major reservoirs in the state at above average heights and nearing 100% capacity, combined with plenty of snow melt still to occur, the waters should be moving fast well through the summer this season.  Now is the time to start booking your river trips.  And all this water, it goes with out saying, is great for us.  Still, be reasonable, and use this resource conservatively.

Foggy and cold?  Who cares when there is some swell?

And what a time to be gardening.  This spring has been fantastic, with hot periods and wet periods since March.  As long as your plants were not two effected by the few colder nights, or heavy periods of rain, they will be loving the next few weeks - especially after the fog breaks, and if we get some heat for the holiday.  You will probably have a few more days before you need to water, as the fog layer will keep things from drying to much. Still, keep an eye out, as we will have some windy afternoons which can be just as drying as the heat and sun.  The season is changing.  Fava beans are beginning to diminish in supply, yet we have a bunch in our backyard.  Just ask my guest who are all learning how to shuck a fava.  Lettuce held up pretty well through the last set of storms, as did strawberries. This in part because the Salinas valley region was spared some of the heaviest rain.  Summer vegetables are starting to come in, and we are not too far off from seeing the season's first cherry tomatoes.  I know mine here on the coast still have several months to go, but the central valley has green fruit on the vines.  They just need a brief period of some heat, so I am guessing early June will be about right.

So, for now, mostly clear in the afternoon with morning fog.  The more inland, and the higher you go, the earlier it will burn off.  Nothing too warm, except a few mountain enclaves and the valleys north of Diablo.  Chance of the ridge amplifying mid next week and warm air being pumped in from the southwest.