Wind and Snow on the Way. Relief on the Horizon.

Seabright sunset in Santa Cruz

The next few days are going to feel a whole lot like winter, as a cold winter storm pushes down the coast and over our region later tomorrow.  It does look like we will have a nice day to start out the weekend tomorrow, with partly sunny skies and mild temperatures (think mid 60s).  Then things will deteriorate quickly in the evening, and through the night.  Showers are expected to impact our area starting around sunset on Saturday.  As cold air spills in off the ocean, there is a good chance for thunderstorms and even hail.  These types of systems are rare for the west coast, so it may be worth it to be outside to enjoy any lightning that we may get with the cells arriving around midnight.  Steady rain should abate around noon on Sunday, with sporadic showers lasting through the day.  Clouds persist through the evening.

This system is looking cold.  Very cold actually.  Especially for mid-May.  Freezing levels will drop down as low as 3000 feet through the stronger cell, so we may have a brief snow capped rim around the bay on Sunday morning.  A rarity in mid winter, but even odder for mid spring.  Six inches or more should fall around 5000 feet, and over a foot is expected along the Sierra Crest.  Sunday and Monday could offer up some good winter skiing at the higher elevations.  If you are traveling in the mountains this weekend, be prepared.  Carry chains, food, water and warm clothes.  And drive safely, as those roads should get iced up by Sunday morning.  Go figure.  If you are a powder hound, you are stoked for this weekend.  Otherwise, you'll probably prefer Saturday.

Hillsides of spring bloom.

And you garden folk, keep an eye out.  Down here on the coast, we should see some colder nights dropping into the mid 40s.  The cold is only half of it.  My bigger concern is the heavy rain and hail.  The good news is the heavy weather should only last for a day.  While we should see several days of possible inclement weather and cooler air, the worse will be over by late Sunday.  You may want to put out some protection for you summer and tropical plants, especially if you live at higher elevations (higher being 2000 feet).  If you are above 2500 feet, you definitely want to get some sort of floating row covers or other system to keep the snow and/or cold all but the hardiest of your plants.  On the bright side, the weather over the past few weeks has probably strengthened any plants you already had in the ground.  On the other hand, expect a drop in strawberry supplies, as well as lettuce.  Even peas, squash and other spring vegetables may see a dip in the next few weeks.

The first half of next week will continue cool with some rain possible.  It currently looks like a lot of the moisture will remain north of us, but waves will wash through the area for a few days.  By Thursday, we can expect a return to mostly sunny skies and low 70s (or 80s in the Central Valley).  Then it looks like decently warm weather after that, but it may be a while before we see the 80s or more along the coast.  Still no sign of a big fog bank to chill our mornings.  So that is good news.  More on next week later.