One last system, then it is time for the January Thaw.

It seems that almost every rainy season comes in three acts.  Act I would be its arrival.  Sometimes it comes in early, like this year, and with a vengeance, filling up reservoirs, tipping creeks, flooding downtowns, raining up high, and eventually piling up snow.  The snow is deep in Tahoe.  Maybe that is why I have been lax on posting.  Kind of did not follow up and warn about that Saturday night thing.  My apologies, the powder was deep.  But, I'm back at it now.  Tomorrow will continue to be cool, although it may get a little warmer than it did today.  Can anyone say 60?  With some luck.  And that looks to be the last warm day this week.  Damn, it sure is winter.

Taking flight near Lighthouse Field,  Santa Cruz.

Another storm moves south across the region Wednesday.  This one is going to be cold, and we could see a dusting of snow on the local peaks.  Get ready for some beauty Thursday morning.  It looks like this storm is pretty moisture deprived, so light showery weather is what is expected.  A lot less water than this past Saturday evening.  Still, it looks like rain, most likely points north and east.  Up to a foot of super light blower powder could fall along the crest, with several inches at lake level.  For out local mountains, it looks more like a few inches in the best locations.  Expect freezing temperatures trying to reach down to the coastal bench, but more likely staying up on the ridges.  Thursday will be chilly, with most locations staying below 50F.  A slow rebound can be expected through the weekend, topping out around 55F.

I'll get a post up about the snow soon, but damn is it good up there.  They got a few inches this past weekend, and a few inches coming mid week.  After that it looks like we enter a dry spell lasting until at least the MLK weekend.  So, if you are thinking about heading up soon, I suggest that you do it.  Even with the continues cold temperatures, things are starting to firm up a bit.  The riding is great, but we are starting to see the need for more fresh snow.  On the positive side, that finally gives us our ten days of sunshine as we prepare for Act II.  That often arrives toward the end of January, or the beginning of February after several weeks of dry to mostly dry weather.  It is the heart of winter.  It is when we tend to see the biggest surf, coldest days and deepest snow.  Get ready for it.