Desert heat

The summer heat has returned to the southern California desert this weekend.

Temperatures on Saturday were in the 80s to the middle 90s with similar temperatures expected for Sunday and for the entire upcoming week. Some areas in the Coachella and Imperial valleys may reach the century mark.

If you plan on being outdoors in the desert heat take these precautions...
- Besure to where sunscreen
- Drinks lots of water
- Where UV sunglasses
- It's also a good idea where a hat. As it can block some of the UV rays from reaching your face and neck.

Gloom or sun

Gloom or sun...

...That depends where you here in the southland this weekend.

An inversion west of the mountains will keep the coastal and valley areas in the gloom through the weekend....with clearing only expected in the valley locations during the afternooon hours. But...if near the coast...it is not out of the question to see a glimpse of the sun during the early to mid afternoon hours.

Temperatures in these areas will likely not get out of the 60s during the daytime hours this weekend along the coast.

In the valleys... temperatures will make into the 70s... lower to middle 80s possible in the valleys of the Inland Empire and in the San Gabriel valley.

Meanwhile... the mountains and deserts will see a sunny/warm weekend. Temperatures in the 60s and 70s in the mountains and 80s and 90s in the deserts.

After a week of delays...

(From a previous missile launch)

After a week of delays...a Delta II rocket lifted off from Vandenberg A.F.B early Friday morning carrying a pair of weather satellites.

These satellites are designed to determine how clouds and airborne particles known as aerosols influence weather and climate changes and affect air quality.

The satellites will orbit the earth for apx. 22 months.

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A brown bear was sighted Thursday morning near a Westlake Village high school. Authorities took no chances...and placed the school under lock down mode.

The bear was sighted by tv helicopters...but authorities were unable to capture the bear.

Friday afternoon the search was called off by authorities.

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As for the weekend weather across the southland...
Southern California will see the "May gray" a couple of day early. Low clouds and fog...night and morning...giving way to partial afternoon sunshine during the afternoon hours. Temperatures will likely 60s near the coast to 70s in the middle 80s out in the valleys.

Remainder of southern California will see mostly sunny skies along with mild to warm temperatures.

Sun & showers

*Updated at: 3:30pm/pdt, Thursday, April 27th, 2006*

The upper low pressure that has been responsible for the showers over portions of the southland past couple of days...will move east of the region by Friday morning.

Lingering showers across parts of the southland this evening...the decreasing during the overnight hours. Most of the showers will confined to portions of Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego and the adjacent coastal waters. Rainfall amounts will be very light (generally in the 0.05 to 0.15" range through the evening hours.

If you live in the mountains or the desert portions of the above mentioned areas...it's not out of the question for a stray thunderstorm this evening.

A slight warming trend will begin for the southland on Friday and continue into early next week. Look for abundant sunshine...except their will be a shallow marine layer over the coastal waters...extending inland a few miles during the overnight and early morning hours. Temperatures for the valleys this weekend will reach into 70s to the lower 80s...but will likely remain in the 60s to the lower 70s at the coast...including downtown Los Angeles.

Latest southern California forecasts at...
Southland Weather

Last gasp of the rainy season?

*Updated at: 4:30pm, April 26th, 2006*

A low pressure system will bring scattered to numerous showers to the southland Wednesday night. A few of these showers will linger into Thursday...mainly over the far southern and eastern sections.

Wednesday night... Scattered Showers and isolated thunderstorms will finally overspread the southland through the nighttime hours.

Rainfall amounts will likely range in the 1/10 to 1/4" range through early Thursday morning. Isolated amounts greater than 1/2" are possible...mainly over the mountains.

Thunderstorms will have the capability of producing... locally gusty winds to 35 mph, dangerous lightning strikes and brief moderate/heavy downpours. Over the coastal waters...thunderstorms may produce isolated waterspouts and rough seas.

Snow showers are possible above 6,000 feet during Wednesday. Accumulations of 1 to 2" possible over the mountains of Ventura and L.A. Counties. Over the mountains of Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego Counties... No accumulations expected.

Lastest forecast at...
Southland Weather

Clouds on the increase

Clouds will be on the increase across southern California Tuesday in the advance of an low pressure system approaching from the northwest.

A few sprinkles are possible Tuesday over Santa Barbara County and a possibly even a shower or thunderstorm Tuesday afternoon over the mountains of L.A., Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

Clouds with lower across the southland Tuesday night with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms over much of southern California. Only expecting 0.10" of rain by early Wednesday morning from L.A. County north and westward and Trace to 0.05" Orange, San Diego counties and the Inland Empire.

An increase in the areal coverage of the shower activity except during Wednesday through early Thursday morning. Rainfall amounts will range from a 0.25" to 0.50" for the most part. Locally higher amounts possible where thunderstorm activity occurs.

Nicest day of the week

(Mission Bay - March, 2006)

The nicest day of the week will likely be Monday...as a low pressure is expected to bring another chance of showers and thunderstorms beginning Tuesday night and lasting for much of the second half of the week.

Rainfall amounts will generally be in the 1/3 to 1/2" range late Tuesday night through Thursday morning. Locally higher amounts possible where thunderstorm activity develops.

Temperatures will on the cool side this week... mainly in the upper 50s to the upper 60s along the coast and in the valley areas...except for Monday where temperatures will top out in the lower 70s in the valleys.

So it seems the rainy season for southern California doesn't want leave just yet.

Another Moon Shot

(Picture taken - Sunday, April 23rd, 2006)

The last couple of mornings as the last quarter moon rises over the eastern horizon. The right amount of particulates and pollution have made for great picture taking of the Lunar crescent.

Most of southern California haven't been unable to see the out of this world display...due to the overcast conditions. But...hopefully this will change for Monday morning. Skies will be partly cloudy for all of southern California Monday morning.

The best viewing will be from 5:00 to 5:45 am. Look to the lower east/southeast horizon.

If you plan on taking your own pictures...
The settings i use when taking this weekend's Lunar pictures are...
1/1000 shutter speed
ISO 400
No Flash

Out of this world "Earth Day"

(Last Quarter Moon - Saturday, April 22nd, 2006)

It appears that it will be a gloomy "Earth Day" for most of us here in southern California this Saturday.

A weak weather system will bring mostly cloudy skies with a few light rain showers possible. Rainfall amounts will be under 0.05" for the most part Saturday.

Cool temperatures... high temperatures Saturday... in the 60s for most coastal and valley locations.

More clouds

(Cirrus/Cirrostratus at sunset)

A new page of colorful cloud photos has been added to
Southland Weather's "Every cloud has a silver lining"!

And speaking of clouds... it appears that much of southern California is in store for partly to mostly cloudy skies through most of the weekend. There's even a small chance of a few light showers and even isolated thunderstorms beginning early Saturday morning and lasting through Sunday. Rainfall amounts will be very light (under 0.10") where showers do occur.

Warm in some areas

(Temecula along the 15 Freeway)

Areas away from the coast will still be on the warm side on Thursday. Temperatures will peak in the upper 70s to the middle 80s out in the valley areas.

Near the coast...a weak cyclonic feature out near the islands will bring a marine influence Thursday. Temperatures will be in the middle 60s to the middle 70s. Patchy fog along the immediate coast early Thursday.

Children's Pool

(Children's Pool - La Jolla)

The San Diego City Council voted to rope off the Children's Pool to protect the Harbor Seals during pupping season from January 1st to May 1st.

Children's Pool is a sheltered cove located in La Jolla where Harbor Seals gather.

Warm spring day

Sunny and warmer weather for the next couple of days here in southern California...as high pressure over the Great Basin region produces a moderate off-shore flow.

Temperatures will reach into the 70s near the coast...around 80 in downtown L.A...and in the upper 70s to the lower 80s out in the valleys.

It will be breezy at times (especially during the morning hours) through and below passes and canyons.

The on-shore flow is expected to return late Wednesday.

This day in history...
2004: Today began 182 consecutive day "dry spell" in San Diego.

Transition day

(Spring evening in Santa Monica - March 2003)

As the Monday proceeds...most of us in southern California will see less clouds and more sunshine...as high pressure begins to build over the region.

Gusty winds will continue over portions of Santa Barbara county along with most mountain and high desert areas of the southland today.

It appears that a fairly moderate "Sundowner" wind event is on tap for this evening in Santa Barbara.

Temperatures for the most part during Monday... will be in the 60s along the coast and in the valleys. The high for the day may occur early this evening for Santa Barbara (due to the sundowner winds).

Easter Sunday

(Cloudy AM in Downtown San Diego - May 2005)

**Updated at: 7:20am/pdt, Easter Sunday, April 16th, 2006**

A storm system will brush the northern portions of southern California (mainly from L.A. county northward) through Monday.

This system will bring a small chance of light rain showers or drizzle through Monday. Rainfall amounts will be under a 0.10".

Gusty winds are likely tonight and Monday over most mountain and desert locations.

A return mostly clear Monday night through Wednesday. It will be breezy to windy (especially through and below passes and canyons) during this period...as high pressure builds in.

Late in the week... The onshore weather pattern returns Wednesday night and will last through the end of the week. This will mean... cloudy/gloomy period with cool temperatures.

Gloomy Saturday

(Gloomy morning - - San Diego Harbor)

Gloomy Saturday on tap for the southland.

Skies will be mostly cloudy for the most part over the coastal and valley areas of southern California Saturday with the possibility of isolated showers.

Temperatures will be in the 60s.

Another storm system is expected to brush the southland Sunday night and Monday morning.

Associated with storm system will be partly to mostly cloudy skies and a slight chance of light rain showers.

Overall... not the best of holiday weekends.

Wet Friday

(Updated at: 2:40pm/pdt, Friday, April 14th, 2006)

A Pacific storm system will continue to bring unsettled weather to the southland through Friday night.

Scattered to numerous showers will continue across all of southern California through Friday evening...then will diminish during the overnight hours.

Most areas of the southland will see an additional 0.10 to 0.25" Friday night. Locally higher amounts to 1/2" along favored mountain slopes.

...Remember... if it's rain heavy enough to have your windshield wipers on...you must turn on your headlights.
It's the law!!!

The snow level over the mountain regions will range from 6,500 to 7,000 feet during Friday. A Snow Advisory is effect for the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties where snowfall amounts up to 9" are possible through early Saturday morning.

There is a slight risk for isolated thunderstorms (especially during the early evening hours Friday). Thunderstorms may produce small hail, brief heavy rain and dangerous lightning. Also... isolated waterspouts are possible mainly from Santa Monica bay west/northwestward into the Santa Barbara channel.

Finally... gusty winds in the 35 to 45 mph range are likely over the mountains and deserts. This make travel difficult at times for light weight or high profile vehicles on the 10 and 15 Freeways. Wind Advisories are in effect through midnight Friday night for the mountains and desert portions of San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties.

Stay up-to-date on this situation at by visiting...
Southland Weather

Out of this world

(Mars - 5:15am/pdt, April 12th, 2006)

Mars will be visible for the next few days during the early morning hours in the southeast sky. It will be the brightest star.

The peak viewing will be Friday, April 14th...but here in southern California...unlikely it will be visible due to the storm system that is expected to impact the region.

This storm will likely begin increasing the clouds Thursday night across the southland. There will be a chance of rain developing over Ventura and Santa Barbara counties overnight Thursday.

Friday... The brunt of the storm system will be felt. Look for periods of light to moderate rain (generally in the 1/4 to 3/4" range) through Friday evening. Some locally higher amounts possible over the coastal slopes and mountains. There will be some instability that will be passing over the region...so this may spark a few thunderstorms...especially during the afternoon hours.

This storm is expected to move out of the region by late Friday night...clearing the way for a nice southern California weekend!

A break in the gloom

(San Luis Harbor)

A break from the gloomy weather Wednesday...

Mostly sunny skies expected during Wednesday with temperatures reaching into the 60s along the coast to the 70s out in the valleys.

Winds will be light.

But... a large trough of low pressure off the California coast will bring the risk of strong rip currents along the entire southern California (except for Santa Barbara County). It's advised that swimmers and surfers stay onshore Wednesday.

Showers or Sun?

(Colorful sunrise)

*Updated at: 10:25am/pdt Tuesday, Apr. 11th, 2006*

Showers or sun Tuesday? It all depends on location...location..location.

For most of us in southern California Tuesday... skies will be partly to mostly sunny.

But for people living in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties... a tail end of a frontal system will pass by and bring numerous showers to the area. Looking for around 0.25" by late in the day Tuesday.

In Los Angeles County... Scattered showers will be possible

across most of the county Tuesday. Rainfall amounts by late in the day will likely total only 0.05 to 0.15".

Later in the week...
All of the attention will be directed on a fairly intense storm system in the Pacific.

This storm system will have the potential of moderate to occasional heavy rain sometime on Friday or Friday evening along with a chance of fairly strong thunderstorms (depending on the exact track of the storm system).

So... stay tuned!

A bit of everything

(Off the San Diego County Coast)

A little sun and clouds will start the work week here in southern California.

A weak system will pass by bringing an increase in low to mid level clouds and and even a chance of a shower or two Monday afternoon and evening.

The greatest concentration of showers will be over Santa Barbara and Ventura counties Monday afternoon. Precipitation amounts may total 0.25" by late Monday night.

But overall...most of southern California will see partly to mostly cloudy skies Monday with a peak or two at the sun (mainly during the morning hours).

Dusty desert

(Along the 15 FWY - Mojave Desert)

A week trough of low pressure will produce gusty winds across the deserts beginning Sunday night and continuing through Monday night.

West to occasional northwest 15 to 25 with gusts between 30 to 40 mph can be expected in these areas.

This will effect light weight and high profile vehicles traveling on the 10 and 15 Freeways.

These gusty winds can also be experienced over the mountains. Gusts exceeding 40 mph are possible (especially over the San Bernardino mountains).

Spring sunrise

(Spring Sunrise - April 7th, 2006)

This looks to be first rainfree weekend for southern California in five weeks.

Mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies are expected with temperatures for the most part in the 60s to the lower 70s along the coast and in the valley areas.

Dateline April 8th, 1935 (Los Angeles)
April 8, 1935: As torrential rain flooded parts of Los Angeles, Fire Capt. Fred W. Toenjes, 36, drowned after he was swept from a wrecked bridge at Sawtelle Boulevard and Westminster Avenue. He and two other firefighters had been trying to rescue four people, The Times reported. One account said Toenjes was "hit by a floating garage while attempting to reach a stranded car." The Times later called him "A Peace Hero." "In the dark, in the storm, by an accident unforeseen, impossible to guard against, the brave captain was carried to his death in a struggle with the rushing waters from which his two companions escaped only by a feat of desperate swimming…. He gave his life for others and added fresh luster to those soldiers of peace who, in facing fire or flood, have won the well-earned reputation — never to falter at the post of duty." Toenjes, who left a widow and two sons, was buried in the Masonic section of Forest Lawn.

Source: KTLA TV & L.A. Times

Sunny weather photography

(Mission Bay - March 2006)

The following tips i normally use when photographing during bright, sunny conditions...

1. Never use artificial light... such as flash.
2. Use filters, such as sun filters if your camera has a setting for it or if you have an SLR type camera, besure to attach the filter to the lense.
3. Always use a low ISO setting.
4. Use a high F-stop setting

During conditions when skies are partly cloudy...you may need to adjust settings...to compensate for less lighting.

Constant eye on the weather...

(Above photos from April 6th, 2006)

Much quieter weather for the southland to finish out the week after record-breaking rainfall and some isolated reports of severe weather hit the southland during the past couple of days.

Looking ahead to the weekend and the early part of next week...
A weak storm system will move into northern and parts of central California over the weekend. For southern California...maybe an increase in the clouds...but overall the southland will see only partly cloudy skies with a slight possibility of a stray shower over the Ventura and northern L.A. county.

A much larger storm will have it's eye on the southland early next week. This storm will have the potential of more rain and winds. But the details of this storm are still bit unclear at this time.

So... Stay tuned!!!

When it rain, it pours

(An approaching thunderstorm)

Numerous showers...heavy at times along with a risk for thunderstorms will continue for all of southern California during the day on Wednesday.

Thunderstorms have the possibility of produce... heavy rain, small hail and even the possibility of funnel clouds and waterspouts.

Showers will begin to dimish somewhat during the afternoon hours Wednesday over Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Then showers will diminish by this evening over the remainder of southern California.

The snow level has lowered significantly overnight... and now is around the 4,500' level as of early Wednesday morning.

Snow and blowing snow with snow accumulations of 3 to 6" possible by late this afternoon over the mountains of Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties. Areas of dense fog will make driving conditions even more difficult.

More detailed information on the storm at...
Southland Weather

Rain and Thunder

(Thunderstorm at sunrise)

A slow moving wet storm system will bring periods of rain...heavy at times to the southland through at least Wednesday.

Hourly rainfall rates may exceed 1/2" at times Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

For Los Angeles and Orange counties... the heaviest rainfall will likely occur after midnight Tuesday night through the morning rush hour on Wednesday.

There's also a slight risk for thunderstorms continuing through Wednesday. Some these storms may produce waterspouts or funnel clouds.

A Flash Flood Watch continues in effect for much of southern California through most of Wednesday (mainly in recent burn areas). Conditions are quite favorable for debris/mudflows.

Stay up to date this situation by visiting...
Southland Weather

Something on Wednesday that will only happen every
1,000 years...

(Combination of time, day, year falls in numerical order)
01:02:03 04.05.06

The weather "voice"

(NOAA Weather Radio)

The very best way to get up-to-date, reliable weather information is directly from the source... National Weather Service NOAA Weather Radio.

NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts weather information 24 hours day directly from the National Weather Service.

Here in southern California... these broadcasts either originate from the NWS in Oxnard or in San Diego.

Most of these specially built radio recievers have feature that will sound an alarm tone when selected watches or warnings are issued. Some radios even have the capability of sounding the alarm for just your county.

These radios are available at most electronic and home entertainment stores. They typically will run around $50.00 or so.

Here in southern California... much of the region is in range of recieving NOAA Weather Radio.

For a complete list of transmitters... Visit the home page of
NOAA Weather Radio!

Update on the Laurel Canyon Mudslide...
Laurel Canyon Blvd has re-opened for thru traffic.

2 homes have been "red-tagged" as a precaution.

Storm Update...
Rain will continue to fall over Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties through the overnight hours Monday with rain increasing over Los Angeles, Orange Counties and the Inland Empire. Hourly rainfall rates at times will reach 1/2" especially over Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

Elsewhere... Rain chance will be on the increase through the overnight hours Monday. Though the rainfall amounts should remain around a quarter to a third of an inch in most areas through Tuesday morning.

During Tuesday and Thursday night... Things may get interesting across the region as conditions become favorable for thunderstorms. Some of these storms may produce hail and the possibility of waterspouts or funnel clouds.

Hourly rainfall rates may reach 1" along favored southwest/south mountain slopes. 1/2" per hour rates possibly virtually any where else except for the desert regions where rates may at times reach a 1/4" per hour.

The NWS has posted "Flash Flood Watches" for the burn areas of Ventura and L.A. Counties through Wednesday morning and for Orange, San Diego, SW San Bernardino and western Riverside counties from Monday evening through Wednesday afternoon.

Latest updates on this situation at...
Southland Weather

Laurel Canyon Mudslide

(Hollywood Hills - August 1983)

A section of a hillside in the Laurel Canyon area of the Hollywood Hills gave way Saturday prompting authorities to close a section of Laurel Canyon Drive between Mount Olympus and Mulholland Dr.

One home was "Red-Tagged" due to safety concerns.

With more rain in the forecast from early Monday morning through Wednesday morning...this will only add to the problem.

Dateline April 1st and 2nd, 1999 - Mount Laguna Mountains:
Heavy snow (18" in 12 hours). Eight fatalities reported due to Hypothermia.

Source: 2006 Weatherguide Calendar

Like clock work

Spring Forward early Sunday morning at 2:00am

Next year "daylight saving time" will begin on the second Sunday of March and will end on the first Sunday of November.

The idea of "daylight saving time" originated in 1784 by Benjamin Franklin. But was first put in use by the Germans during the first world war.

"Daylight saving time" was first used in the United States on March 31st, 1918...but was in the late 1800's by the railroads and most cities.

There is still some states in the United States that don't observe "Daylight saving time" there are... Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii. Up to last year most of Indiana didn't observe "daylight saving time" but last year decided that the state would begin to do so this year.

Here's list of some of the other countries that observe "Daylight saving time"

• Egypt
• Namibia
• China
• India
• Iran
• Israel
• Kyrgyzstan
• Pakistan
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Iceland
• Canada (not all provinces and territories)
• Cuba
• Mexico
• Chile
• Brazil

Another reminder along with moving your clocks forward one hour Saturday night. Replace the batteries in your smoke alarms.

A brief weather update:
Partly cloudy skies except across the southland Saturday night...then clouds will increase during the day on Sunday.

A strong/wet storm system will impact the weather here in the southland for Monday through Wednesday. Expected moderate to occasional rain and possible thunderstorms through the period with snow...heavy at times over the mountain areas. Also this system will also bring strong and gusty winds along with it.