Not Quite Normal, for a Another Week. Return to Normal(ish) a Week from Now.

Cloud cover this morning pulled out and revealed sunshine.  Actually warmed up quite a bit with that yellow orb burning up high.  Kind of feels like a fog event thing, but it is not really that.  While the low pressure center has shifted inland and to our north, moisture was pulled off the ocean and into the Sierra.  Hence the high clouds on the coast.  By late morning our sun burns through the thin layer.  But up in the mountains those clouds pile up thick and have put done a foot of snow already.  More could fall as moisture linger through Wednesday, but daytime highs should be in the 50s at 8000 feet by Wednesday.  So more rain than snow.  Still good to get a little water up on those peaks.  Been a very dry year.  So, what does that mean for us weather wise down here in Santa Cruz.

Beautiful morning at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz.  

Well, it will feel like a typical spring day for most.  But with lighter winds.  Morning clouds likely again tomorrow, as the on shore flow pulls in more moisture, fueling showers in the mountains.  Should burn off even earlier than today as the center of the low will be further east easing the flow.  Clouds likely to persist in the coastal hills and mountains.  Could see some drizzle along the coast in the early morning, or afternoon showers along ridge tops.  But mostly we see a warming and drying trend through Thursday.  Each day a little less wet.  Each day a little less cool.  Friday is looking to be a winner, and the weekend is shaping up pretty nicely as well.  Could be in the 70s in select spots around Santa Cruz.

Actually it kind of depends on what develops to our north.  Right now the models are are leaning towards a pretty sizable late season rain system rolling into British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest.    Heavy rain for points north, but dry down here and for all but the most northern edge of the state.  Good news for us is light winds, a clear sky and plenty of sunshine.  Hell, winds look pretty light all week considering.  Too bad there is pretty much about zero swell in the water.  Maybe a handful of chest high waves out there.

Could be clear until the middle of next week when we start to see a gradient develop in the northern waters.  That could mean foggy mornings and windy afternoons.  Or summer.  Watch for drizzle over the next few mornings.  Winds mostly light, except for Thursday when we could see some moderate north west afternoon wind.  Nothing too dramatic.  Decent weekend shaping up for the central coast.  Winds right now are really looking to be on the lighter side, so beaches up north could be decent.  Get outside while the weather is still nice.  Summer is on the way, and that always means a good chance for greydom.