Dipping South.

Did you notice it today.  Crisp.  Windy.  That storm system that is hitting the PNW did a good job of carving a bit further south than expected.  In fact, it is much further south than yesterday's projections.  What that mean for us here in Santa Cruz is mostly cooler, breezier weather.  But there now looks like there is a slim chance for some showers tonight and into tomorrow.  For sure we are expecting some gloomier weather tomorrow.  We could even be stuck in the 50s.  Further, it will hinder are warming trend, keeping us in the low 60s for Thursday.  With some luck we will get into the mid or even high 60s by Friday.  If you are looking to see a 70F reading, good luck.  If I were you, I'd head to one of our warm winter regions around here.  Pinnacles National Park would be my best best.  Find a nice, protected southerly rock slope, and sit like a lizard in the sun.

Sunsets in the mountains are going off.  West Slope, Sierra Nevada, California.

Chances now look likely for snow in the Sierra.  This will really be only a dusting.  With some luck we will see an inch or two of snow by Wednesday afternoon.  Still, even just a bit of some fresh snow on top of our base will do wonders for the surface conditions.  Yes, it will still be crusty and icy in most spots.  But in those little dips, and gullies that catch snow, we could see a smooth, chalky surface develop.  And one of the best things about low tide is all the dips and gullies that have yet to fill in.  And it will improve the groomers drastically.  So, pray for snow.  Even just a little bit.  Mid 40s and sun return for the weekend.

Of course, down here on the coast, they ain't half bad either.  Cowell's Point, Santa Cruz, California.

Rain is a bit more likely in San Francisco and points north, than down here in the Cruz.  Still, we are only really looking at about a 30% chance.  As you move north, and east, chances improve.  Sacramento has about a 50/50 chance.  Unfortunately, it does not look like this storm will be turbulent enough to kick out the inversion.  So, thick, mean fog returns right after the rain for the Central Valley.  Some sun perhaps for the weekend.

We are still looking at a dry period for the mid term forecast.  This one system does not change much.  But this is the type of stuff we can expect to happen until the next pattern change.  Remember how I said this dry pattern is different than the one we had from Thanksgiving until 10 days ago.  This one is not so bomb proof.  Little parts of storms can press down on it, or sneak in underneath.  This is what we can still expect through the middle of next week or further.  Mild and dry with a few clouds.