Right on track.

Maybe it felt a little ahead of schedule yesterday when that cool damp marine layer decided to roll in and stick around through the entire day.  Sure did not feel like it was int he mid to high 60s.  In fact, it felt like it maybe just pushed up into the 60s but for a brief period.  More of that continues today, as a decent sized, but weak low pressures slowly spins off the coast.  This one is just a bit too close to pump in the hot dry air from the desert Southwest.  Instead, we are are seeing moisture wrapping in from the south, being pulled off the Pacific and rammed into the coastal hills.  You know what that means:  Fog and cool air mass.  And it looks to stick around for a few days.  High of 50 in Santa Cruz today and a bit warmer on Tuesday.

Maybe this will warm you up.  Desert wind field just west of Palm Springs, California.

By Wednesday, the storm to our west further weakens, and a second system gains strength in the Gulf of Alaska.  As this storm builds and pushes south east, it will begin to absorb the souther system, and a push a wave of moisture over us, coming from the west.  While today and tomorrow may see some fog drizzle (and thunderstorms in the interior and Sierra), we arn't expecting much rain.  Not really even a steady shower.  That changes by Wednesday evening, when showers and rain should begin to cross the entire Central Coast.  Cooler air again moves through the area as cold front moves through overnight Wednesday.  Rain continues through the morning hours Thursday.  A reminder for the commuters:  Give yourself extra time.  As spring weather hits our zone, many drivers again forget how to drive in the rain.  It must be in preparation for summer madness.  Give space and be safe.

Or this could help.  Early evening on the links.  7PM and 95F.  Palm Desert, California.

Thursday will be crisp in the morning, and cool throughout the day, maybe getting to 60F.  We could see clearing by afternoon, and the sun will warm things up quickly.  Could be a good afternoon to watch a sunset.  May be the last storm clearing for the season.  Up in the Sierra it will snow above 7500 feet on Wednesday.  Maybe half a foot along the crest.  Snow doubles on Thursday, with snow levels lowering to 6500.  Overnight Thursday will get cold (for late April), with freezing temperatures dipping below 5000 feet.  Santa Cruz will dip down into the low 40s, so put on a sweatshirt for Friday morning strolls. Which should be a nice morning, with increasing sun and high temperatures reaching back into the mid 60s by afternoon.  And things just improve from there, with high 60s forecast, and maybe a chance of hitting 70F for Sunday.  Like last Saturday?  No way, but if that is what you are looking for, you best move else where.  Still, plenty nice.  And sunny.

So.  M/T=Fog and Cool.  W=Showers Late.  Th=Rain, then clearing.  F-S=The Goods.  Enjoy.