Some interesting weather going on. Still, pretty much sunny.

So I was a little caught off guard by the significance of the swell event yesterday.  I guess I was so happy about the snow we had just see fall, that I had my back turned to the ocean.  Never do that.  Around noon yesterday, Third Reef at Middle Peak was topping and breaking.  Really just a mountain of crumble, but a few sets broke way out in there in the Bay.  Impressive as always.  Things really dropped as the day continues, with mostly overhead waves.  Don't get me wrong, there were still a few bombs at Middles through sunset, but nothing like mid day.  Anyway, the moral here is never turn you back on the ocean.  Especially if you were one of those people climbing around the cliff bluff to get a better view.  Be careful.

Lower Sentinel, Kirkwood.  The first few feet has fallen.  This is about halfway through the storm cycle.

You may have noticed a foggy layer along the coast yesterday.  It actually felt like summer.  Kind of.  It warmed up quickly in the morning, then a fog bank moved in and cooled it off some.  The same moisture associated with the marine layer here on the coast fed some fog and drizzle up into the Sierra.  Not ideal for great powder skiing this weekend.  If you are headed up do not fret.  The skier packed snow will be firm in the mornings, but warm (40-50) and sunny weather on tap should really help soften things up.  Follow the sun as much as you can, just like in spring.  Groomers will soften up sooner.  The untracked snow in the sun will likely be corning up earlier.  Wait too long, and you'll get glop glue.  In the shade, the untracked might be crusty.  Especially earlier.  But you might still find some dense powder like snow in areas that you penetrate the crust.  All in all, some good options for skiing this weekend.  Just not quite as good as if it stayed cold and dry.  But way better than it has been.

Keeping an eye on the landing zone.  Sentinel Bowl, Kirkwood, California.  Snow has finally arrived.

Warm weather is expected as well, down here on the coast, as soon as all the thick fog clears.  That stuff really rolled in last night.  Like I said, almost feels like summer.  There is still a good chance to hit 65F in Santa Cruz, although really, it might be a touch cooler.  Still some fine weather for the end of January.  And light wind as well.  Mornings will see some very light off shore breezes, and that will slowly turn out of the northwest and increase to, say, 7 knots.  Waves will be fun this weekend, generally in the head high plus range up north and chest high in town on Saturday, and half that size on Sunday.  This would also be a great weekend to hike somewhere.  As has been noted, the waterfalls are working again, and Yosemite is priceless right now.  If you are headed north or east, you will be looking at a chance of rain for later on Sunday.  Another system punching through the PNW will drag its bottom across our region.  For Santa Cruz, this just means cooler, cloudier weather.  SF looks to stay dry.  Showers for the north coast, and flurries for Tahoe.  Maybe.  If anything, light accumulation.

Things begin to bounce back to the sun and warmth regime by Tuesday.  And chances are good it continues through the first weekend of February.  There will be systems to our north through next week, but it does not currently look like they will break south.  So, nice for now.