A warming trend through the week. Fab weekend to start the month.

New snow in the Cirque, Kirkwood, California.

As we close out January of 2012 things are not quite as dry as we started the year.  That is a good thing for snow recreation and for our water issues.  Still it was a much drier month than typical, in a season that is now not the driest (to date) on record.  But we are close.  It looks like long term things could change during the second half of this month.  But, of course, that is merely fantasy speculation and best guessing.  We will need to get through the first full week of February before we have any real indication of what is to happen next.  But down here on the coast we are looking at mostly high quality outdoor weather for the next 10 days or so.


This Monday started out with some mid level clouds and a cool morning.  The day will warm to about 60F, and this should be what we see the first half of the week.  As we move through and toward the weekend, we should see a bit of warming and fewer clouds each day.  By Friday it should be clear and pushing the high 60s.  With some luck we could see 70F, but I'm not placing any bets.  Regardless, it will be spectacular outdoor weather the second half of this week.  Storms are moving across the coast and inland well north of us.  That is what will bring our cloud cover the first half of the week.  By Thursday, most storminess will stay north, in Canada.  Up in Tahoe there should be a warm up as well, with high 40s and low 50s by the weekend.  And they need it.  With that last rainy system that came through the snow surface has built up a pretty solid crust.  That means mostly icy until the sun and daily warmth soften things up.  Follow that sun, look for south facing slopes and enjoy some off season corn while we wait for a refresher.  I'll get a post up at Powder Happy later this week.

Last call Friday night at Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz, California.

If you are more into surfing come these days, you have something to look forward to.  A fun sized long period swell fills in today.  Should be overhead for the most part by afternoon.  South facing spots will get the wrap, but will lose some size.  With the northly winds out there, it may be worth it.  On Wednesday a meaty long period swell arrives.  Things start to show overnight with 22 second periods.  8@18 for Wednesday, and dropping from there.  That still means 15' surf for Wednesday, 12' on Thursday and 10' on Friday.  And get this.  Winds get lighter after today and are shifting to out of the east by the middle of the week.  Thursday looks like the best for offshore conditions.  By the weekend, surf continues to drop and afternoon north winds look likely.  But this is an excellent week to surf.  Think about it.  Twelve foot plus, offshore winds and 68F at the beach on Thursday, February 2nd.  Sounds good, eh?

So, the news.  Some clouds and 60F.  Abut 40F overnight.  Dry.  Fewer clouds, more sun and 68F by the weekend.  Continued dry through at least the 8th.