Winter's Gotta a Good Grip, as Spring Battles for Dominance.

Spring sunset above Wilder Ranch, Santa Cruz

Sorry folks.  It has been a few days, but forgive us, we were busy.  Seemed like it got windy and cold for a few days, but as we were exiting the hospital with our newborn yesterday, the skies were breaking and the sun started to come out.  Seems like we were in our own little cocoon for the worst of it.  Or maybe not.  The weather this week is looking to be a bit more dynamic than what I stated last Wednesday.  It certainly is a battle for the season.  Hopefully the last battle as it looks like we may see more of last week's weather before month's end.

The warm up rebound predicted to begin today just does not look like it is going to happen.  In fact, with this morning's run of the models, it does not look like it will happen at all this week.  Temperatures to remain mild through the week, with mid 60s expected in Santa Cruz.  Low 60s in the city and high 60s in the South Bay.  The Central Valley will get its usual seasonal warmth, with temperatures pushing 80F by mid week.  That may get some of you to suspect our usual fog bank mucking things up here on the coast, but actually, sun should prevail after this morning's clouds clear out.  So while not the awesome weather of last week, it will be crisp and clear out here.  Should be good weather for some West Cliff runs and Wilder Ranch mountain bike rides.

Research vessel leaving the Moss Landing Harbor

What we want to keep our eye on is the real winter's push returning at the end of the week.  We saw some light mountain snow yesterday and last night at the higher elevations.  Around two inches fell around the lake and a few more up high, especially in the northern part of the region.  A brief and weak high pressure should nudge in over the early part of the week.  Still, winter will not give up its grasp on our region, as a cold low pressure builds and pushes down the coast this week.  We should be free of precipitation and clouds through the work week and the start of the weekend, but currently it looks like the cold, rain and mountain snow will prevail.  And it could result in significant amounts for May.  Still, nothing like last years Mayuary, but rain nonetheless.  On the coast we should see showers beginning some time on Sunday and lasting through the day on Monday.  Perhaps three quarters of an inch (and even more north toward Marin) of rain through the event, which is a little more than the average for the entire month.  Up in the Sierra, snow levels may drop as low as 5000 feet with the cold air, and we could see from six inches to upwards of a foot of snow.  Powder hounds, wax up your boards.  And Squaw is scheduled open next Monday, so you may even be able to get some lift served runs.  After this storm passes, we should see some ridging from the southwest, and a big surge of warm air by mid month.

So for now, we will continue with the fair, if a bit chilly weather.  Things could take a turn for the worse by week's end, and the start of next week.  After that, the long term looks pleasant, with a decent chance of 70s and even perhaps 80s by around the 20th.  Sooner or later, winter will lose the last of its grip and we may enjoy a bit more of what last week was all about.  Winning.

Duh, Winning!

The Fishbowl, West Cliff Drive. 

Not even Mr. Sheen has a life as grand as this.  This is our week of waiting, and the weather is just glorious.  I was able to get out early the past few mornings to enjoy the sunrise and a paddle in the ocean.  Sure, there were a few waves, and some surfing involved, but it has really been just about the beautiful mornings.  Today is hot in Santa Cruz.  At least hot for Santa Cruz, with a toasty 87F at the downtown farmers's market (more on the market below) at 3PM.  I imagine that is about the peak of it with our usual afternoon cooling beginning soon, and cooler days ahead.  Tomorrow should still be almost as warm as today, and nothing is too dismal looking in the week ahead.

Thursday is still grand.  Friday morning, we again have a chance for some fog.  It will be more likely in the city and Half Moon Bay, with a chance down here in Santa Cruz.  It should burn relatively early, and doubt we will see more than a few patches, and nothing much reaching over the mountains.  Perhaps some lingering around the low areas near the bay.  We also see some actual sporadic clouds forming late Thursday from the storm system hitting to our north.  On the coast, this pattern should return to mostly sunny by Sunday morning and into next week.  Sunday still looks like the cool day, with air filtering in starting Friday.  There is a very slight of showers in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Sierra, and from Mendocino north.  The shower threat lingers through Tuesday in the Sierra.  A rebound is expected starting Monday, with more warm days through at least mid week.  After that we will need to watch how the next short wave sets up to our north.  We need to understand that we still have a chance for rain this season.

Did I mention the Bloom! Forget Me Nots in Big Basin.

There has not been much of an overnight freeze the past few nights around Tahoe, leaving the snow a little sticky and slushy.  There is an inversion set up around 7000 feet, so the base areas are getting a slightly better freeze, as well as the higher elevations above 9000 feet.  So if you are thinking about getting out and doing some touring, try the mid to low elevations very early (around day break) or go for some of the higher peaks in the eastern Sierra.  The volcanos, Shasta and Lassen, are also looking very good, but have some longer approaches due to snow covered roads.  Squaw is turning the bull wheels daily, and Alpine is on the weekends, so there is still plenty of lift served.  Mammoth will continue to spin until the Forth of July.  Kirkwood will reopen for Memorial Day, and expects to allow skiing and hiking on the Forth again this year.  It has been a solid season.

But let us discuss a bit more of this spring.  The mid week Santa Cruz market is going off.  Some of the new additions this week are hothoused tomatoes and the season's first peaches.  We have not yet taste tested the tomatoes, but the peach was surprisingly sweet for so early in the year.  We were shocked to find some California apples that were pulled out of cold storage and still had a crisp tart of fall.  As a side note, New Leaf Market on the west side also has some amazing Fujis as of late.  Other spring notables that have been around recently are peas and zucchini.  And I am sure I have talked about the strawberries.  Well, they are certainly hitting their stride right now and are super sweet.  As much as I hate the term "Nature's candy," they are Nature's candy.  Asparagus is still around, and if you like that grassy treat, get them while they are still around.  Once it is gone, it is gone.  And there is really no point in eating asparagus unless it is freshly cut within a few days.  That is like eating a Maine lobster somewhere other than Maine. The silly thing people do.

Even the sand dunes at Moss Landing have spectacular flowers.

My fava bean harvest started a few days ago.  We have picked about 12 pods so far.  No all that much, but the plants are full of beans with just a few weeks to go.  I would say this was a successful endeavor.  I will need to go back and check my records for the exact timing, but we planted in the late fall.  The hardest part will be shucking these things, but luckily I have guest coming into town who are perfect for that job.  Back in the fall, I soaked a bunch of beans in cool water for 24 hours, then planted them about 1" deep and a few inches apart.  My rows I think were a bit close at about eight inches - I could have used a foot or more of space.  Sure, I watered the plot a bit in the beginning to get the seeds to germinate, but once winter turned on in November, I never bothered watering until mid January.  Even then, they did not get too much water.  I did need to create some supports for them, but honestly, my tomato cages would have been fine.  Recently, I started in with the water again, mostly because it has been so warm and dry.  But all in all, they did not require too much care.  I even ignored an aphid infestation at one point.  When I went to deal with it a week later, the lady bugs and other carnivore bugs had already taken care of it for me.  Simple as Fava.

Sun, sun, sun.  Today was winning.  Tomorrow, not as much.  Some fog and clouds for Friday and the weekend.  Coolest on Sunday.  Say, about 65 degrees.  Warmer again next week.  Glorious.

And Not Even a Touch of Fog. Simply Fantastic.

Same rock, different day.  Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz never saw the forecasted fog the past two mornings, so I fully expect the same for tomorrow.  It now looks like Wednesday will be the peak of the current warm spell, with high 80s in Santa Cruz, and in the South Bay.  The Central Valley will get a few hot days in the low to mid 90s.  The city will have to be happy with high 70s, or perhaps, with a little luck 80 degrees.  Still, the fog that made things a little chilly the past two days should clear out to sun.  Thursday should also be warm, but the cooling begins.  Highs in the 60s are expected across the region by Sunday.  Rebound begins on Monday with the mid 70s returning to Santa Cruz.

Our cooling this weekend comes from another low pressure system running into the Pacific Northwest and Bristish Columbia.  They have had a good share of rain up there recently, with few breaks.  We should not get anything more than a few passing clouds, but Humboldt and areas north will get more rain this weekend.  Early next week, the storm track lifts north for a few days, with Vancouver on its southern flank.  Some long term forecasting are suggesting that late next week and into the following weekend, a cool pocket will begin driving south along the coast.  Moisture will build just to our west, with the possibility of a wave or two of storms hitting us around mid month.  It is not out of the ordinary to get some rain and cold in May, so we will need to keep an eye on this one.  But when compared to last year, this month is already looking great.

Bridge washed away on Eucalyptus Trail.

Up in the Sierra, the snowpack is still thick up above 8000 feet, with a fair amount of coverage down to 6000 feet.  But that should change over the next few weeks.  With day time highs in the 50s and 60s at 8000 feet this week we should see two things happen.  First, the melt off will begin in ernest.  With daily warming and early May sunshine, a lot of settlement is expected.  As a note, keep an eye on creeks, streams and rivers - both above and below snow level.  Up in the snow, use caution when approaching snow bridges.  They can collapse under the weight of a skier or sled, and underneath, the water is very cold and moving swiftly (especially in the afternoon).  Below snow level, expect water ways to rise quickly in the late afternoon and early evening.  This water will also be cold, and swift enough to sweep people and objects away.  On the plus side, there should be some killer kayaking and rafting this week, and no major flooding is expected at this point.  Secondly, in the right spots, the corn should be epic this week.  Keep an eye out for inversions, and find locations that had a good overnight freeze for the best riding.  Have fun out there on this amazing spring snow pack.  And play smart and safe.

The Wilder Ranch locals are a tough crew.

Down here on the coast, we have some great weather.  The surf is pretty small, so you may be looking for something else to do.  To beat the heat, take a walk around some redwoods.  Head up to Henry Cowell in Felton, the Pogonip by campus or Nisene Marks in Aptos.  All have great forested hiking trails.  Or you can take the bike out for a spin.  Wilder is riding well, with the forested trails much smoother than the meadow trails.  Except for some isolated, but significant storm damage, the woods are swift.  If you don't like rain pivoted single track, I suggest staying away from those in the grassy zones.  There are not a whole lot of tire ruts, but the rain did do some damage to the trails.  It looks like the rangers have already been out to work things over a bit.  And it is drying out, so some of those bumps might just get worked out by bike tires and mother nature.  Regardless, it is beautiful up there right now, and the locals are loving the spring.

Good times ahead.  Mid week to be stellar, if not a bit hot.  Some cooling Friday through Sunday, but not cold.  More warming next week, followed by a chance for a cold blast and even some rain by mid month.  The real good news, is we still don't see any signs of a significant marine layer building in the area.  Enjoy that while it lasts.  June Gloom got its name from some where.

A Few Windy Mornings was All it Took to Get Epic.

Kids with kites making the best of a windy day.

Today was nice, so I hope you got out and grabbed a piece of it.  But we had to work for it.  Some significant wind started to blow early last Thursday and did not let up until late morning on Saturday.  The breeze brought with it some cooler air, and a few very chilly mornings.  But this was not just your typical afternoon onshore winds.  Once it started, it kept blowing, and was strongest in the early morning hours.  Conditions were prime for full days of kite boarding.  We instead opted for a nice hike up from Waddell Creek into Big Basin.  If you have never been, put this one on your tick list.  You can bike, walk or stroll the six miles through wetlands, meadows, hardwoods, redwoods, and finally up to a waterfall.  Not too shabby.

Surf outlook for the coming week is a bit bleak.  While it will not be completely flat, it is sure going to try to get close.  Through the first half of the week some small 13 period swell will be filling in form the south, offering up to waist high waves.  More likely it will be only about knee high.  It looks like the wind swell should peak around Wednesday morning.  This will actually be coming from a small gale that formed in the Gulf of Alaska today, as opposed to local gradients.  The period should be around 10 seconds, and we will get some wrap into town.  You may not need to worry about wrap, if the winds got light as forecasted.  Mornings on the open coast should be an option.  If we are lucky, we could see some head high surf at the more exposed breaks.  There is also a pretty good fetch setting up just south of the Aleutians.  If this gale holds together, we may see some medium ground swell coming from the north west by next weekend.  It may not be much, but at least it is interesting for this time of year.

Rockview looking like Palm View.

High and dry is the best way to describe the weather right now.  The winds from last week really dried the air out, leaving us with great clear conditions for the weekend.  A warm up that began yesterday will continue through this entire week.  Today things got pretty warm, and up in Felton it easily breached the 80 degree mark.  It was a nice day to sit amongst the redwoods.  The rest of the week looks grand as well.  A short fog event may start tonight.  If it does occur, it will really just be in the mornings, and on the coast.  But it will keep the heat from fully developing.  By Wednesday, the mornings should be clear again, and Thursday should see a peak in the warmth.  Look for mid 80s in Santa Cruz and Oakland.  Areas of the South Bay and Gilroy could break 90.  San Francisco and Marin should be in the high 70s (sorry city folks).  Cooling for Friday and the weekend, as the storm track begins to hit the PNW again, driving cold air south.  We are expecting mid 60s by Sunday.  Another chance for warming returns around the 11th.

Not completely flat in Santa Cruz.

Of course, we are in good gardening weather.  And it is May.  So you should be well into working your summer garden.  By now you should at least have your soil worked and amended as needed.  If you have your tomatoes in, that is great.  While we do have a nice long growing season here on the central coast, you want to make sure your summer plants have a chance to mature by our warmest months of August and September.  Plant too late, and you will see significantly fewer tomatoes and cucumbers to harvest.  So get your plants into the ground this month, if you have not done so already.  Of course, if you get a late start, you can always buy seedlings instead of seeds (this will save you from 2-6 weeks depending on plant type), or you can even buy an adolescent plant.  But the important thing to remember is water.  As the rain stops, and the air dries out, the soil will need irrigation.  Keep that soil moist, especially when you plants are young, and their root system small.  Fava Beans are in full harvest right now.  Peas are starting to show as well.  Things are really starting to roll.

A nice week ahead.  Perhaps a touch of fog, but nothing like last summer.  Of course it is still a bit early for us to see too much grey, but not out of the question.  By Tuesday afternoon we look like clear and warming with some spectacular weather on Wednesday and Thursday.  Cooler, but still great outdoor weather for the weekend.