Not Much to Report. Typical Summer Weather on Tap.

Coastal flowers.

Hey folks, first off, I will be headed to the north east for a 3 week visit, and will mainly be focusing on my local weather.  We will be back in town around mid August, and will resume posting here.  If something interesting pops up (say like lightning storms, tropical waves or a north Pacific storm), we will try to let you know.  Otherwise, it looks like we are in our typical summer pattern.  A big high pressure has set up in the Gulf of Alaska.  Broad and weak low pressure is in the Southwest.  The valley is sunny and warm.  The coast has fog.  Some days, and some locations, it burns off.  Santa Cruz is pretty nice right now if you don't mind the cool, cloudy mornings.  And some afternoon breeze.

Lows in the mid 50s.  Highs in the upper 60s and occasionally low 70s here in town.  Fog has been lingering a little later recently, and burning off in town late morning.  Some pockets have been lingering on the coast north of town.  Today, it looks like the marine layer has pulled out far to sea, and a strong on shore breeze is developing.  Areas protected from the northwest breezes will be warmest.  And that is where you find the best surf.

Summer time blooms.

The swell pumped up a few day ago, and solid southerly groundswell has filled in across the region.  The series should peak early tomorrow, and last through at least Friday.  There will still be small surf around for the weekend.  It does not look like the on shore winds will let up through the period, so the ore protected locations in town will have the cleanest surf.  This will be enough swell to get every spot breaking on the right tides, so get out an enjoy.  The open coast line will most likely be choppy, although winds may let up for the morning toward the end of the work week.  Another swell may filter in late next Monday, but this one is fairly shadowed by Fiji and other land masses.  But then again, that is what they said about last Friday, and it looked solid every where.

With this fog, pay special attention to your gardens.  Mildews love this weather.  Keep your plants dry, and water from their base.  Aphids may need to be dealt with.  Either spray them off with a stream of water, or try bio degradable insecticidal soap.  There are plenty of options out there.  Some suggest making a tea from tomato leaves, as all night shades have a toxin in their leaves.  Just don't use it on other nightshades.  Personally, I've had little luck with this method, but I love to see it work.  Water your tomatoes less, as they become more establishes and set their  fruit.  Keep squash and cucumber roots nice and moist (but well drained).  And harvest those summer squash readily and don't allow them to be giants.

calendula. 

Go visit a Farmer's Market this week.  Or soon.  And go as often as you can right now.  They just simply are going off right now as a full blend of fruits and vegetables are available.  You can make the most beautiful and delicious pastas and salads right now, just from what is grown in our region.  Walnut-Basil pesto pasta with Brandywine tomatoes, yellow wax beans, purple carrots, spinach, leeks and summer squash.  Toss in a little fresh mozzarella, and you are golden.  Or try some gem lettuce with white corn, golden beets, sugar snap peas, Sungold 100 cherry tomatoes, torpedo radish and cucumber.  Strawberries alone make a great dessert, or you can add blueberries, nectarine, and cherries to some yogurt.  Go browse and enjoy some great local produce.

Similar weather to continue through the period.  The interior could see some heat develop by next Monday, but that will not have much of an impact through most of the Bay Area.  Especially the coastal communities which should stay pretty mild.  Fair summer days on tap.  Today was another nice one in Santa Cruz.  Enjoy the rest of July.