Technically, it is still winter.

Seriously, the spring solstice is not for another two weeks.  We are in the last days of winter, but you can't really tell by looking outside.  It is already quite warm this morning in the Cruz.  But don't get too excited.  Another brief shot of cold and rain moves in tonight and tomorrow.  Today we could see high temperatures reaching back up to 70F.  It was 77F on the west side yesterday afternoon at 4PM.  Wow!  Clouds fill in tonight and rain soon follows.  Cold tomorrow, with highs not reaching into the 60s.  Add some strong winds that come out of the north tonight, and you have the recipe for a winter's day.

Sun rising over the Red Cliffs ridge in Kirkwood Valley.

Brief is the best way to describe this next round of winter.  The storminess will clear by afternoon and the clouds will break up overnight.  And that will allow it to get cold.  Low 30s across the county and below freezing as you head up into the coastal hills.  But that will be short lived as more warm ir pumps into the region starting Wednesday.  Low 60s for mid week and 70F by Friday.  Even warmer in the right spots in the Santa Cruz mountains.  And to boot, the weekend could be quite nice, if just a bit cooler.

Pay head though, because winter is far from over.  Right now we are starting to see the signs of a large, wet and strong storm system talking aim at us for early next week. Think Tuesday.  More on this later.  For now, cold and rain Monday night and Tuesday.  Very cold Tuesday night.  Warming, sun and excellent weather to finish out the work week.  Another nice weekend ahead.