Wetness Continues.

Well, I escaped town for about a week, as it was my son's spring break.  While we were hoping for sunshine on the slopes kind of spring weather, we instead had a little of everything.  And afternoon arrival at Kirkwood saw a parking lot temperature of 54F.  We skied some wonderful slush down low and perfect corn up top.  The next day started with a warm 33F.  It was soft to start, but wind, and clouds kept things perfect all day.  Early afternoon saw some light drizzle down low and flurries above 8800'.  From there, winter returned.  A wet afternoon, turned into a snowy evening, and by morning, there were five inches of snow in the road.  Full on spring pow day.  Sun returned the next day and we enjoyed a bluebird powder day with a high of about 45F.  The next morning was perfect for railing firm groomers. We left at noon, just as the pistes were softening up.  Not a bad run for some spring break skiing.  Cool weather and continued high elevation snow is keeping the skiing in great condition.  Kirkwood closes this Sunday and reopens for Easter weekend.  Squaw will turn lifts through at least Memorial Day.  Heavenly plans to operate weekends through then as well, but with very limited terrain and access from the gondola only.

Here in Santa Cruz, about an inch and a half of rain fell since my last post.  Most of that was yesterday, with .87" here on the westside.  It has been a pretty wet start to April for town.  We might see a light shower this morning, but things are clearing out.  Mild today in the mid 60s.  Warm Sunday and Monday with sunshine and in the low 70s.  Might beach day again tomorrow.  A storm moves through to our north Monday night, bringing a chance of light rain.  This is another warm storm, so we won't see much of a dip in temperatures.  Clouds will keep things a bit mild though.  Highs through mid week in the mid to upper 60s.  Some clouds.  By later in the week, a cold trough will try to move down the coast.  This system threatens cooler temps and rain by Friday.  Maybe earlier.  Will need to watch this system, as spring models are totally unreliable.

Those totally unreliable models are also toying with the idea that this will bust wide open the storm door allowing a cold and quite wet system to hit us just before Tax Day.  Impressive for spring if that happens.  High pressure to fill in behind that. Looks strong. and likely warm, cause you know, it is mid April by then.  The North Pacific remains active, so we will still be watching storm systems and still be getting winter surf.  Speaking of which, the swell is up today with a fresh north west arriving forecast for 8 feet at 18 seconds. Well overhead.  Winds are south easterly, so you need to search for the right spot. By Monday the swell will be in. more moderate range and the wind more north westerly, making for decent town conditions.  Winter ain't over folks.