Happy leap year (day)!

(Beautiful Downtown Lake Elsinore)

What is reason for an extra day in February every 4 years?

Here's brief explanation from Time and date.com

Leap years are needed to keep our calendar in alignment with the earth's revolutions around the sun.

The vernal equinox is the time when the sun is directly above the Earth's equator, moving from the southern to the northern hemisphere.

The mean time between two successive vernal equinoxes is called a tropical year–also known as a solar year–and is about 365.2422 days long.

Using a calendar with 365 days every year would result in a loss of 0.2422 days, or almost six hours per year. After 100 years, this calendar would be more than 24 days ahead of the season (tropical year), which is not desirable or accurate. It is desirable to align the calendar with the seasons and to make any difference as insignificant as possible.

By adding a leap year approximately every fourth year, the difference between the calendar and the seasons can be reduced significantly, and the calendar will align with the seasons much more accurately.

(The term "day" is used to mean "solar day"–which is the mean time between two transits of the sun across the meridian of the observer.)

...Just think what it would be like to have a birthday on February 29!?

Polluted beaches

(Shell Beach)

Portions of 4 southern California remain closed due to sewage.

They include...
portions of Imperial Beach,
San Clemente Beach,
Border Field State Park and
Tijuana Slough

The sewage spills are most likely due to last weekend's rain.

More information on the beach closures...
Visit the "Heal the Bay" website

Spring outlook part 2: Temperatures

Spring temperature outlook: March, April and May

Coastal plain/valleys: below normal
Mountains: near normal
Deserts: near to above normal

Dry spring in the forecast

Long range forecasts are indicating... below normal precipitation for the region during spring 2008.

Typically spring is normally a dry period for southern California.

End of the rainbow

(Rainbow - Sunday, February 24th, 2008)

It's also the end of the rain for a while...

High pressure is expected to build in over the region... resulting in mostly sunny skies and warmer temperatures.

It will be windy at times...mainly through and below passes and canyons.

Dirty beaches

(Hermosa Beach)

Due to storm run off from the recent rains... several beaches in southern California may be experiencing higher than normal pollution/bacteria levels.

So... it may be a good idea to check ahead... before heading out to your favorite beach.

More earthquakes along the border region

More earthquakes have rattled the border region of southern California and Baja California over the past day or so.

As of early Saturday morning... the strongest quake has measure a Magnitude 4.8 at 11:31 am, Friday, February 22nd.

Since February 8th, there have been over 500 temblors in this particular area.

Drought update - as of February 19th, 2008

No change from the previous update... the southland is still experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

These conditions are likely to continue... spite the recent precipitation that has fallen.

Retro-weather

KABC TV "ABC7" Weather segment from 1980

NOTE: sound quality is poor... besure to adjust the volume for optimal hearing.

So So weather for this evening's eclipse

If you live in Santa Barbara county... you will have fairly good chance of viewing this evening's lunar eclipse...as skies are forecast to be partly cloudy.

But... the remainder of the southland (LA/Orange/San Diego/Riverside and San Bernardino counties) the skies will likely be mostly cloudy with isolated to scattered rain showers.


Times of the lunar eclipse...

Partial eclipse begins: 5:43pm/pst
Total eclipse begins: 7:01pm/pst
Total eclipse ends: 7:51pm/pst
Partial eclipse ends: 9:09pm/pst


A few tips if your interested in photographing the eclipse...

- Use a high speed film or an ISO setting of 400
- If your camera has a manual exposure mode, set the lens to its widest aperture (smallest numeric f/number) and use a range of exposures from 5 seconds to 40 seconds (i.e, 5, 10, 20 and 40 seconds). Exposures longer than this will start to trail or streak because of Earth's rotation on its axis.

Lunar eclipse - Wednesday evening

Lunar eclispe will be visibilit early Wednesday evening (February 20th, 2008) here in Southern California... but the weather will likely be problem for most of us... as the southland will likely be under a blanket of cloud cover.

To learn more about Wednesday eclipse... visit this page from NASA:
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEmono/TLE2008Feb21/TLE2008Feb21.html

Next chance of a total lunar eclipse will be on December 21st, 2010.

Water woes - Spring/summer streamflow forecasts

Even though the maps show above normal spring and summer streamflow in the western U.S. streams... this will do very little to help the long-term drought situation over the region... including southern California.

As indicated on the top graphic... the reservoir storage in California reservoirs is near normal as of February 1st.

Holiday skiing?

(Snow pack - Southwest Region)

Southern California ski resorts continue to experience one of the best ski seasons in recent memory.

If your planning on skiing on the day we honor America's presidents (President's day) the weather couldn't be better for it.

Mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies over the southern California mountain areas with high temperatures in the upper 40s and 50s at the resort levels.

The winds will be on the light side (under 10 mph).

Drought update

Much of the southland is still experiencing "abnormally dry" conditions... spite the above normal rainfall over the past several weeks.

The following are a few rainfall totals so far this rain season and departures
(SoCal rainy season began July 1st, 2007)

Downtown Los Angeles:
12.13" (departure: + 3.04")

Santa Barbara Airport:
13.77" (departure: +3.27")

Burbank Airport:
12.60" (departure: +2.56")

Palmdale:
5.05" (departure: +0.41")

Fullerton:
9.15" (departure: +2.71")

Ontario:
10.26" (departure: +1.43")

San Diego Lindbergh Airport:
6.03" (departure: -0.48")

Ramona:
13.23" (departure: +3.62")

Palm Springs:
5.22" (departure: +1.30")

The next chance of precipitation will come during the middle to later part of next week...as a series of low pressure systems track through the region.

Blustery Friday

(Big Bear City)

Friday...

Another windy day on tap as rather tight northeast to southwest pressure gradient is located over the southland.

Look for the stongest winds just afternoon sunrise through the late morning hours. The highest wind gusts will occur through and just below the passes and canyons of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties.

Gusts to 60 mph are possible in these areas.

Otherwise... the southland will see a slightly warmer day from what they were on Thursday.

Over the weekend...
Sunny skies with temperatures in the 60s for the most part... except reaching into the lower 70s in some interior valleys.

Next week...

Big changes on the way for the second half of next week.

A return to wet weather. Stay Tuned!!!

Windy Valentine's Day

(San Pedro)

A storm system over northern Arizona combined with building high pressure over the Pacific NW will produce gusty northeast surface winds over southern California.

The strongest gusts will occur through and below passes and canyons of Ventura, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

In these areas gusts exceeding 60 mph are likely.

Elsewhere along the coastal plain/valleys of LA/Ventura counties and in Orange county... gusts to around 45 mph are possible.

These winds will continue through Friday morning.

Scattered rain showers and isolated thunderstorms possible across the coastal plain, valleys and mountains of southern California through this evening.

*HAPPY VALENTINE's DAY*

Windy times ahead

(Santa Monica Pier)

An "inside slider" will move through the intermountain west during the next 2 days.

This will result in gusty westerly winds Wednesday afternoon/evening...then shifting to north overnight and continue through the day on Thursday.

Gusts to around 60 mph are likely to occur through and below passes and canyons during Thursday.

Along with the gusty winds... will come a significant drop in temperatures from what we were experiencing the past few days.

Highs on Wednesday will be in the 60s to the lower 70s along the coast and in the 70s in the valleys.

One more warm day and then...

(Newport Beach)

A weak onshore flow has brought a shallow marine layer to the LA/OC/San Diego coasts this morning...otherwise... skies across the southland will be mostly sunny with above normal temperatures. Some interior valley locations once again topping out this afternoon in the lower to middle 80s.

But... changes are on the way!

An potent "inside slider" will dive southward through the Great Basin region into Arizona over the next 36 to 48 hours.

For the southland... this will mean is a rather significant drop in daytime temperatures from Tuesday to Wednesday, and along with drop in temperatures will come gust surface winds... especially through and below passes and canyons.

Spite the change in the weather, there will be no chance of precipitation here in the southland... as the associated precipitation from the system will stay well east of our area.

Another period of warm temperatures are ahead this weekend into the first part of next week. Models are differing on how warm the temperatures will be... but should get a better idea in the next couple of day.

A day to play hooky!

(Newport Beach)

This one of these days, many southlander's will want to skip work or school and head to the beaches... as southern California continues to be under a weak off shore.

Temperatures will reach in the lower to middle 80s in many of the interior valleys on Monday. Projected high temperature for downtown LA will reach in the upper 70s to around 80.

Locally breezy conditions can be expected this morning through and below passes and canyons of LA/Ventura counties...otherwise winds will be light and variable.

Also... if you are planning on heading to the beaches today... the threat of rip currents has diminished.

Tuesday... temperatures across the southland may even be a bit warmer.

But... much cooler temperatures are on tap for the remainder of the week... beginning on Wednesday. Forecast high on Wednesday for Downtown LA will be in the upper 60s.

Another record breaking day!

(La Jolla Sunset - June 14th, 1997)

More record highs are likely to be established Sunday across the southland... as an offshore flow of warm air continues.

Locally breezy conditions can also be expected over the mountains of Ventura and LA counties...otherwise winds will be on the light side.

Most coastal/valley areas will see high temperatures this afternoon in the 70s to the lower 80s.

Like yesterday... there continues to be high risk of rip currents in the coastal waters of the OC and the south coast San Diego county... due to a long period swell being generated from a storm system in the Gulf of Alaska.
Most noticable along exposed west to northwest facing beaches.

Speaking of Alaska... Like Friday morning... it was another cold one Saturday morning... 69 degrees below zero in Chicken Alaska (along the Alaska/Canadian border).

Beautiful southern California weekend!!

(Manhattan Beach/The Strand)

Under high pressure... the southland will see a sunny and warm weekend. First time in quite a while.

High temperatures will range from the middle 60s to the lower 70s at the beaches to the 70s to the lower 80s in the interior valleys.

Forecast highs for Downtown LA will be in the middle to upper 70s... with warmest temperatures on Saturday.

It will be breezy at times Saturday morning...especially through and below passes and canyons of Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

If you are planning on heading to the beaches to surf... there is a high potential of rip currents this weekend... so it's strongly advised to stay out of the water.

By the way... if you want cold temperatures instead, head to eastern Alaska... 72 degrees below zero Friday morning in town called Chicken, Alaska (on the border of Alaska and the Yukon Territory of Canada.

Mild/rain-free weekend for the southland

Building high pressure over the region along with a weak off shore flow will result in a very nice weekend for the southland.

High temperatures will be in the 60s and 70s...even reaching above 80 degrees in some interior valleys on Saturday.

Locally windy conditions are possible through and below passes and canyons... but won't reach advisory levels.

Mild weekend ahead for the southland

Sunny and mild conditions through the weekend and most likely beyond as high pressure will continue to build over the region.

Temperatures should peak on Saturday with many areas of the coastal plain and valley reaching into the lower to middle 70s.

Next week, a couple of distubances will move to the north of the southland... but may may be close enough to bring some high clouds from time-to-time. Temperatures next week will likely remain on the mild side of things.

Warm days/cool nights through the weekend

(3-Day Temp Trend - Downtown LA)

High pressure will dominate the weather across the region through the weekend.

Expect mostly sunny skies with mostly sunny...warmer days and clear...cool nights along with light and variable winds.

A weak impulse may bring some clouds during the early part of next week.

Warmer days and cool nights the next several days

(Morro Bay)

Clear, cool nights and mostly sunny, warmer days through this weekend as high pressure builds over the west.

Five day temperature trends for the LA and the coastal plain:
Wednesday: middle 60s
Thursday: around 70
Friday: lower 70s
Saturday: lower 70s
Sunday: near 70

Five day temperature trends for the valleys:
Wednesday: middle 60s
Thursday: upper 60s to near 70
Friday: lower to middle 70s
Saturday: lower to middle 70s
Sunday: lower 70s

Light and variable winds will prevail

Looking ahead into next week...
Computer models suggest this sunny, mild weather pattern will continue...with only slight day-to-day temperature changes.

A slow warming trend this week

High pressure along with a weak off shore will bring a slow warming trend to the southland this week.

Look for mostly sunny days through Friday along with temperatures reaching into the lower 70s along the coastal plain/valleys by Thursday.

Locally gusty winds at times... especially through and below passes and canyons.

A return to cooler temperatures next week along with a possibility of a weak disturbance passing just to the north and east of the southland.

Break in the weather this week

(Rainbow - Sunday, February 3rd, 2008)

A few lingering affect the the weekend storm over the southland today.

...some morning clouds.
...breezy to windy conditions over the interior areas.
...A few lingering snow showers over the northern slopes of
the San Gabriels and a few morning rain showers southern
San Diego county.

Mostly sunny skies expected Tuesday through Friday across the southland... as high pressure begins to build in over the western states.

Look for a gradual warming trend into 60s by Tuesday...and into the lower 70s in some interior locations by late in the week.

Cold, wet and windy Sunday across SoCal

A fairly strong and fast-moving storm system will bring unsettled weather to the southland through Sunday night.

Forecast rainfall amounts...
...Coastal plain and valleys: 1/4 to 3/4"
...Mountains/foothills: 3/4 to 2 1/2"
...Deserts: 1/10 to 1/4"

Forecast snow accumulations...
...Los Angeles/Ventura county mountains: 7 to 14" above 5,000 feet
...San Bernardino/Riverside county mountains: 6 to 12" above 6,000 feet
...Santa Barbara county mountains: 4 to 8 " above 8,000 feet
...San Diego county mountains: up to 2"

Strong and gusty winds will blow across the southland through early Monday morning.
Gusts to around 45 mph are possible...along the coastal plain and in the coastal and interior valleys.

The strongest gusts will occur over the mountains and deserts... where gusts exceeding 60 mph are possible.

Looking ahead (this week):
High pressure will build over the western states.
This will result in a fair and dry weather pattern over the southland along with warmer temperatures.

Wet and windy Sunday

A strong, fast moving storm system will bring rain and mountain snow to the region late tonight and Sunday.

Strong winds will also accompany the system.

Forecast rainfall amounts from the storm:
Coastal plain & valleys: 0.20 to 0.75" (heaviest northern areas)
Mountains & foothills: 1.00 to 3.00: (heaviest northern areas)
Deserts: 0.01 to 0.30" (heaviest high deserts)

Forecast snowfall accumulations:
4 to 14"
Heaviest snowfall over the mountains of LA/Ventura/San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

Gusty winds will blow over southern California... with the strongest gusts over the mountains and deserts (where gusts at times will range from 60 to 80 mph).

Fast-moving trough to bring unsettled conditions by Sunday

(Coronado/Point Loma - December 2007)

*Updated at: 04:36am/pst, Saturday, February 2nd, 2008*

An upper level trough will bring another round of precipitation and strong/gusty winds to the southland late Saturday night through Sunday.

Preliminary rainfall forecasts:
Coastal/valley locations: 0.20 to 0.75" (Lesser amounts San Diego county)
Mountains/foothills: 1.00" to 3.00" (Lesser amounts San Diego county)
Deserts: 0.01 to 0.20"...locally higher amounts in the Antelope Valley.

Lowering snow levels are in the forecast late Saturday evening through Sunday.
As low as 3,500 feet by Sunday evening.

Heavy snow accumulations are possible.

Gusty winds will develop Saturday evening through Sunday... with the strongest wind gusts occuring on Sunday over the mountains and deserts.

An off shore flow will develop... bringing a return to fair and warmer weather.