Spring Like. No Fog. Cool Mornings. Warm and Breezy Afternoons.

First of its kind.   

Could you ask for more than a run of a few nice sunny days?  The open storm door to our north (sorry Portland, but it is gonna rain up there) will keep things from getting too warm this coming week, but it will also keep the marine layer at bay.  All in all, a pretty nice week is ahead for those on the coast; and not too shabby in the valley or mountains either.  Currently it looks like today will be the warmest for the first part of the week.  We may even not break into the 70s again until Friday.  Sunday looks like a toasty one.  So make some plans to get out and enjoy this coming week and weekend.

Up in the Sierra, the snow fall has finally come to a stop.  April totals are pushing 40 inches along the crest after a few weeks of fairly regular small storms.  With the slow warm up expected over the next ten days, you can expect pretty good snow surface conditions both at the resorts and in the back country.  Kirkwood just announced that you can receive one free day ticket, good through this Sunday, when you present your season pass to any other Tahoe resort.  Seeing both Heavenly and Sierra have closed for the season, you can go experience the deep snow pack at the other south lake resort.  Corn cycles should be well established by this weekend and through next week.  We will just need to see how the sun cups develop in the back country.  My bet is it will be another good spring touring season.

Pea blossoms tell of fruits to come.

Just in case you were not sure, this will be a good time to get out there and put some work into your garden.  New plants will do pretty well with a still moist soil from weeks of light rain and moderate day time and night time temperatures.  Young plants need plenty of water, and we have that.  You will still need to monitor your plot and water as needed, but it is not dry like it will be in late August.  Also, young plants don't like to get too hot, or too cold - so these coming weeks look like a good time for planting.  We may also see a little water next week if the storm path hammering the PNW right now decides to take a slight jog to the south.  On the harvest side of things, fava beans have hit the market hard in the past week.  We are also seeing some snap peas, zucchini and green beans showing up.  And don't for get that spring garlic - a step between green garlic and mature cloves.  We are expecting our own peas and fava beans very soon.  Two days ago, we got our first daisy.  Spring is on.

Monday morning offered up a good window for the surf.  The north coast had a pretty solid drizzle going, keeping some from suiting up.  The off shore winds and shoulder high waves drew others out.  The south swell continues to drop through today and will be pretty much gone by tomorrow. Strong NW winds are expected through the week, with some strong blowing days expected Thursday and Friday.  Kiters rejoice.  The rest of us will need to stay tucked behind points in town, hoping that some of the building northerly ground swell will filter through.  Still, it is far from flat and we should see plenty of knee to head high waves this week.  Lightest winds expected in the early morning hours.  And the good news is there shouldn't be much fog this week, as those PNW systems help keep the sky clear.

All in all a moderate week ahead with no rain expected through Sunday.  Nice all week, but coolest around Thursday and warmest on Sunday.  The weekend looks killer for a hike, a bike, a ski.  A perfect week to relax before having a baby.