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| Sun breaks through the redwood canopy. |
Today the Sierra are in the midst of a winter storm, as this past weekend's systems shifts east and drags cold air and moisture into the mountains. Seriously, can you believe the lack of spring we have had this year. I was in SF this past Saturday visiting some friends, and the only reason why I knew it was June was because when the rain clouds broke for a moment, and that sun poked through, it got muggy. It almost felt like I was in New England with that combination of fresh rain and hot sun. What a water year we are having as we have pushed past 150% for the year in several basins already with 4 months still left to go.
The radar was very active last night from the coast to the mountains in central California. All of that action has shifted east with rain falling in the foot hills and snow at elevations about 6500 feet. While this will certainly not be one of the biggest storms of the season, we can expect a foot or so of snow to fall above 8000 feet, especially in zones along the crest. Tuesday, June 7th, will be a powder day. Snow showers could linger for several more days, but warmer air will begin to move into the region. Rain could fall up to and above 8000 feet on Tuesday and Wednesday. Mammoth is still spinning their lifts daily through July 4th. In the Tahoe area, you will need to hike for any turns between now and the holiday, but it for sure will be worth it tomorrow. Expect that deep powder to change quickly to mank and then corn as the summer sun hits it. Highs will be in the mid 50s at 8000 feet by Thursday. And if you are driving up the hill in the next day to get the fresh, remember to be safe. Carry chains, water, extra food and warm clothes. It will be winter up there.
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| Dune flowers at Waddell Creek Beach, Santa Cruz |
For those of us more inclined to stay down here and enjoy the emerging sun (or inclined to go to our regularly scheduled work day), the rain has abated. A look at this morning's radar suggest that no more bands will pass through, although the day time heating may set up a brief squall, as there is still a lot of moisture in the air. It will be typical, if slightly cooler than average for us down here after this morning. Mid 60s. pushing perhaps the 70F mark by Friday in Santa Cruz. The weekend looks like a slight cooling trend with 65 forecast for Sunday. A bit cooler in the city. Warmer in the typical spots with mid 70s by Friday in San Jose, low 70s in Palo Alto and high 70s in Concord. For the most part we should see sunny skies, but from Half Moon Bay to just north of Santa Cruz (and again in the southern half of Monterey Bay) we will see patching morning and evening fog. But this is not the huge marine layer we saw last season.
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| Drift wood and surfers at the Parking Lot, Wadell Beach |
But that same fog bank looks like it may be making a return some time in the coming weeks. Besides all the water they provided, the recent storms have kept our usual high pressure at bay. But it is not just the return of high pressure that has many thinking this will be a fog bound summer again. Even though the central Pacific has water that is 7 degrees warmer than usual, just off the coast of California and Baja Mexico the water is cold. 3-5 degrees colder than usual. Mix this with a forecast of significant warming (more than usual) of the Southwest, and much of that air being pumped toward and over the Eastern Sierra, and we have the perfect mix for fog development. The same mix we had last summer. So be prepared for another outbreak of endless fog. There are several things that could still happen to keep the marine layer from building in so deeply, such as the position of the high pressure. If we are lucky, it will push over land and east, keeping the hot air pump positioned over Nevada. Ironically, with the fog not getting a chance to develop, we would be much warmer with this pattern. But odds are low for that scenario. So if you hate that grey, plan a trip somewhere to our north, east or up in a mountain.
Clouds clear out today. Low to mid 60s all week, a bit warmer each day through Friday. A bit cooler, but still clear for the weekend. No real fog yet, but be prepared for a return of the grey.
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