Blessed Wind. Damned Wind.

We have another wind event on tap over the next 24 hours.  It should start some time later tonight.  Be prepared, and tie down the back yard.  Not the time to forget the summer umbrella set up.  It will end up in the next county.  Wind Advisories have been posted for the entire Bay Area and the West Slope of the Sierra Nevada.  Down here, we should expect the possibility of 45 mph gust down to sea level with up to 70 mph gust above 1000 feet.  Especially along ridge lines at over peaks.  Use extra caution when driving. Local mountain roads (like 17 and 90) as well as bridges will be the most susceptible to the strong winds.  Winds start off coming from the NW today.  They will build overnight and shift to the NNE for Wednesday.  Slowly, they will subside through friday, shifting east through the weekend.

Roundtop, Carson Pass, California.  Snow cover is still thin at the Sierra Crest.

Which is about perfect for the surf.  Finally the surf is looking like what we would expect for autumn.  Last weekend was good, and there has been decent swell in the water so far this week.  Today we see mostly wind swell, but as the winds start to turn offshore, we see two more mid period swells fill in on Thursday and again late Friday.  Waves hold over head high through the weekend.  So you may just want to get out there and get some.  I know it is hard to find the time with the short days, but even an hour in the water will wash away a day full of stress and worry.

Last light at Seabright Beach.

So why, really, are these winds blessed and damned?  It is not the surf and the need to pick up the backyard.  Blessed, because this will blow out the inversion that helps create the fog (smog really) in the Central Valley.  After the last few days of dense polluted fog, the folks in Tracy will again be able to enjoy some sun.  Damned, because we will see an increase in fire hazard.  The famed Santa Ana will set up in SCal, and that can only mean fire season.  On the plus side, we have had some good rains down there already this season.  Still, regardless of where you live, use extra caution with flammables during a wind event.

Highs around 60 and lows around 40.  A bit cooler Thursday evening.  Mid 30s.  Cold air moves in with the wind, then the wind settles.  Friday morning will be cold, with a possible killing freeze in the San Joaquin.  Frosty morning possible else where.  If you have had issues early this season, protect your plants.