Good News. Rain?

That breeze, or rather, gale, you feel out side is kind of good news.  Fire fighters generally don't like the wind.  It whips the flames and spreads the blaze.  But these winds are the result of that odd little low pressure developing right on top of us.  Yesterday's fog is gone, as this thing has now pinched off and started to spin.  It currently looks like it will be picking up moisture off the ocean and sending it inland. Good news for the forest of southern California that have been burning for the past several days.  And I got word this morning of a fire burning up behind the UCSC campus.  Hopefully that got nipped in the bud, as the rain does not look as likely for us.  More on that soon, but just wanted to say something here folks.  It has been a very dry winter as you know.  And most of our rain fall fell back in 2012.  It is super dry out there, even in our typically moist coastal range.  Be careful and smart if you are traveling in the Santa Cruz mountains.  Fire danger is very real this season.

Another Palm Desert view.  If it is not a golf course, it must be a pool.  

Anyway, rain is not likely for us, but as this thing spins the next few days, we could see some bands or light rain develop.  Higher elevations are more susceptible.  The Sierra is looking at a good chance of rain and thunder.  Way up high they may even get a little snow.  But all of that should be pretty much above pass level.  Still, if driving in the mountains the next few days, carry chains and supplies.  You never know what they might throw at ya.  Chances for afternoon thunderstorms persist through the week as this system pumps moisture into our air.  But let's talk about us here in Santa Cruz.

It is chilly out there today as we get hit with what feels like a winter storm.  It will hit 60F if you are lucky.  Pretty much more of the same on Monday, albeit with a little less wind.  Tuesday should see this storm finally begin to move east and winds lighten.  Expect mid 60s.  By Thursday, things begin to return to a more normal spring condition.  No real fog expected.  With luck, we will finish the work week with sunny mornings and temps pushing into 70F downtown.  Nothing like this past friday, but reasonable.  More of the same for the weekend.

Kind of.  Some late season storms are charted to develop in the Pacific and make there typical trek east. Winds will be light over the weekend due to the more easterly system moving well into the Gulf of Alaska.  Heavy rain could develop in the PNW by next Sunday (the 12th).  I'll wanna keep an eye on these storms, as a shift south in their track could dampen our weather quite a bit.  But as of now, the local weather looks decent.  As for Seattle, they are looking at several days and several inches of rain.  Water they don't need but we could really use.  More on this soon.