Snow Coming To Town? When Was the Last Time You Saw Flakes in SF?

Whaaa???  Yup.  Maybe.  Saturday morning looks like your best bet for catching fat flakes on your tongue.  Or to make a slushy snow ball.  Or see Mt. Tam shrouded in a white robe.  And, if we are lucky, the skies will be clearing by then, leaving big white puffy clouds, crisp blue skies, white hill tops and all that green we have been enjoying because of the copious rains in December followed by Juneary.  Of course, this is all speculation right now, but Friday's system is looking to pack some cold air.  We have today and tomorrow for sun.  Then clouds and rain for a few days.

Timing of the event is still tough.  There is a sort of block on the system right now, stalling it out in the northern latitudes.  As it spirals, it wraps in cold air.  It crosses some water, but not a lot on its way here way.  Rain on the coast by late Thursday.  Snow in the mountains starting earlier in the day.  The rain never gets that heavy, but the temperatures will drop and drop and drop through the day.  Snow levels begin above 5000 feet and will quickly lower to 2000 feet.  That will cover the coastal mountain ranges' higher peaks in snow and rime.  Up high, the water content of the snow will drop to 25:1, making the fluff (and by fluff, I mean blower) to pile up on top of the existing 10 feet from last week.  Looking at two or more feet by Saturday morning.  What is really amazing is that over night the snow level should drop down to below a thousand feet, and possibly touching down at sea level.  The sled runs down the grassy fields of the UCSC campus could open up with just a few inches.  Just be careful of rocks.

Think about a few things.  Your garden.  You may really want to consider how hardy are your plants.  Can they withstand a little snow? How about a freeze? Or a frost.  The weather clears out on Saturday, but the mornings will be crisp and cold Sunday, and even Monday.  Floating row covers can help.  They are basically light netting that traps just a little heat, and protects the plants from just a little dew (or frost).  Even a card board box around your plant can help, although the rain will make is soggy.  A mini hot house would really help.  Or you can just take your chances and see what makes it through.  I imagine lettuces are the most likely to get damaged.  Kale can grow in snow, so no worries there.  I will have to see how my young Brussels make it through.  And the peas.


Fair today and tomorrow.  Even just a bit warmer for Wednesday.  In the sun it has been pretty nice.  It may break 32F at 7000F tomorrow, but no fret as more snow is on the way.  Thursday cools and rain starts.  It will mostly be light to moderate but consistent for a day.  Rain turns showery overnight Friday and clearing in the morning Saturday.  It will get cold on Friday with overnight lows in the Bay around freezing.  Seriously, if this low snow level comes to pass, the top of Diablo could have some decent sledding or sliding.  If the road is open.  You may just need to hike it.  Slight warming Sunday and Monday, but still chilly.  More systems lining up behind that.