Norcal Adventure Conditions Report: December 31, 2014: 9:30am

NorCal Adventure Conditions Update

A summary of weather, surf and snow conditions around Northern California made exclusively for Urban Diversion of San Francisco.  

UPDATED: Wednesday, December 31, 2014, 9:30am

Summary:

Cold and clear conditions have taken hold of Northern California on this last day December.  Temperatures are only in the single digits around the Tahoe Basin, but there is some fresh snow on the ground.  Down near the coast winds are subsiding, but the chill remains under crystal clear skies.  Surf is jumbled and weak at present.  Happy New Year!

Around Tahoe:

The small storm that dropped through the region on Tuesday produced high winds and a bit more snow than forecasted for areas east of the Crest.  Heavenly picked up around a foot of light, dry powder, a rarity for the Sierra.  Northstar picked up a few inches too.  Check out the bluebird morning on hand at Heavenly:

The weather will remain frigid and clear for the next two days.  As the weekend approaches, expect temperatures to warm up to near normal with highs in the 40’s.  The next chance of some snow looks to maybe come in towards the latter half of next week.  The models are uncertain, so we’ll just have to wait and see...

For more Tahoe snow details, check out the Tahoe Daily Snow and follow Tahoe Weather on Facebook.

Backcountry Conditions from the Sierra Avalanche Center:

The backcountry is hosting MODERATE danger for all wind loaded areas near and above treeline steeper than 35 degrees.  Recent snow and high winds of the past few days has created new slabs that could be triggered by a skier.

Hike and Bike Conditions Around the Bay:

High winds from yesterday will subside throughout the day and be replaced by cooler temps than we’ve seen all season.  Frost will be widespread tomorrow and Friday morning, so bundle up if you head out.  Highs today will be in the 40’s and low 50’s, tomorrow as well.  

Surf Around the Region:  

The surf’s looking pretty small over the next few days.  Exposed breaks around the area like Ocean Beach are pulling in only knee to thigh high waves.  It’s a great time to work off the NY hangover in some cold, mellow water on a long board.  

Sunrise/Sunset and Tidal Information:

December 31, 2014

Sunrise: 7:25am/ Sunset: 4:57pm

High Tide: 7:22am at 6.4ft/ 21:06 at 4.4ft

Low Tide: 12:42 at 2.0ft/ 14:18 at 0.0ft

Have a great New Year and don’t forget to get outside and enjoy all of the beautiful playgrounds that NorCal has to offer!

Norcal Adventure Conditions Report: December 29, 2014: 9:00am

NorCal Adventure Conditions Update

A summary of weather, surf and snow conditions around Northern California made exclusively for Urban Diversion of San Francisco.  

Summary:

Cold and sunny weather is the name of the game for the next few days across Northern California.  Tahoe may see a dusting of snow over the next two days along with frigid temps while the areas around the coast will see sunny skies and highs in the low 50’s.  Expect user friendly, head-high surf from Marin to Santa Cruz with the best conditions each morning as offshores groom the surf.

Around Tahoe:

Not too much new to report around Tahoe in terms of snowfall.  We may pick up an inch or two on the resorts from now until Wednesday.  Expect cold temps with highs not getting above freezing, especially on Tuesday.  Sharpen your edges, rip some groomers and get ready for the big dumps of powder later in the season.

Bluebird and crisp up in the Sierra this morning:

For more Tahoe snow details, check out the Tahoe Daily Snow and follow Tahoe Weather on Facebook.

Backcountry Conditions from the Sierra Avalanche Center:

The backcountry is hosting LOW danger for all elevations and aspects.  Cold conditions and no snow have stabilized the snowpack, but the skiing will be icy.  

Hike and Bike Conditions Around the Bay:

Dry, cool weather will pervail in the region for the next few days.  Expect daytime highs in the upper 40’s to low 50’s and nighttime lows in the 30’s.  A dry system will be moving through on late Monday-Tuesday that will bring strong winds to the region, adding to the chill.  With a light jacket, conditions couldn’t be better for a bike tour, hike or trail run.  

Surf Around the Region:  

Surf from Marin to Santa Cruz looks great for the two day period.  Offshore winds will dominate through the end of the week, but will be strong with the approaching system on Tuesday.  Expect waves in the 4-6 foot range at top breaks, then backing off towards mid week.  Be mindful of the large tide swings as we’re approaching a full moon.  Now’s a great time to get out to places like OB that were super human during most of December, but now have manageable surf.  

Sunrise/Sunset and Tidal Information:

December 29, 2014

Sunrise: 7:24am/ Sunset: 4:50pm

High Tide: 6:32 at 6.39ft/ 18:30 at 4.2ft

Low Tide: 12:16 at 1.0ft/ 11:30 at 1.6ft

Conditions Update: Wednesday December, 17, 2014 at 4:00PM

Summary:

The wet and stormy pattern that we’ve been in over the past few weeks will slowly be breaking towards the end of the week and the weekend should bring sunny skies and cool temps for Northern California.  The wet weather in the Bay has meant snow in the Sierra and the resorts are cranking up their operations with new snow and tons of stoke ahead of the holidays.  Surf along the coast continues to be massive and occasionally affected by strong winds accompanying storms, so unless you’re a Mavericks or XXL Ocean Beach charger, it might be a good time to focus on land-based activities, like eating copious amounts of cheese at Christmas parties.    

Around Tahoe:

Since the big storm last week that dropped nearly 24 inches of snow on resorts west of the lake along the Sierra Crest, small, consecutive impulses have added totals upwards of three feet to the early season snowpack.  The snow falling this week has been light and dry--perfect powder for the Sierra.  I got up to Donner Summit on Sunday for my first backcountry tour of the season.  I found cold snow on nearly all aspects below treeline and a fairly consistent snowpack above 7000ft of about 3 feet.  Snow depths increased with elevation.  

Take a look at Sugar Bowl from around 3:30 this afternoon!

Here are some 6 day totals brought to us courtesy of Brian Allegretto at the Tahoe Daily Snow:

For tomorrow and Friday, expect continued cold in the mountains with occasional snow showers.  Another small, weak storm is forecast to impact the Central Sierra on Friday bringing only light amounts of snow to the region, just a refresher for the surface conditions.  Temps will remain cold, though, so the snow guns at the resorts will keep firing in hopes of opening even more terrain soon.  For the long range it looks as though we get a break in the action next week before more storms could impact the area the week after Christmas.  

For more Tahoe snow details, check out the Tahoe Daily Snow and follow Tahoe Weather on Facebook.

Backcountry Conditions from the Sierra Avalanche Center:

December 17, 2014 at 6:53am

Human-triggered wind slab avalanches remain possible today. MODERATE avalanche danger exists on wind-loaded NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects 35 degrees and steeper in near and above treeline terrain. Use clues like cornices, drifted snow, ripples in the snow surface, and other wind created textures to help determine where wind slabs may exist. Convex rollovers, areas near rocks, unsupported slopes, couloirs/gullies, and other complex terrain represent the most likely places to trigger wind slabs.

Click here to read the full advisory ...

Want to learn to recreate safely in the backcountry?  Get avy certified!  Here are some links to providers of AIARE I certification classes this season.

MAS (Mountain Adventure Seminars)

Alpine Skills International

Tahoe Mountain School

Sierra Mountain Center

Sierra Mountain Guides

Shasta Mountain Guides

Outdoor Adventure Club

Hike and Bike Conditions Around the Bay:

Expect rain showers off and on through Friday as a small system impacts the region.  Temperatures will remain cool in the upper 50’s to low 60’s during the day with lows in the 40’s at night.  As the weekend approaches, expect a clearing trend to take over with continued seasonally chilly temperatures in the 50’s.  

Surf Around the Region:  

Surf around NorCal continues to be dominated by mid-long period storm swell.  As of this afternoon, buoys off of SF were reporting WNW swells of 11ft coming in at 15 seconds.  SW winds were also hacking up the surf.  If you head out this afternoon, look for sheltered exposures protected from southerly winds.  

Short Term Forecast:  Expect onshore winds to keep conditions pretty junky through Friday.  Once the current storm system moves out of the area, the swell will come down slightly before a new swell fills in that will reach heights of around 15 feet.  Saturday might be a great day to visit Mavericks and see some amazing big wave riding as the winds will have come down and the long period swells will be affecting the region.  If you paddle out, be careful and respect your abilities.

Tides for Thursday, December 18

High Tides: 7:21am at 6.3, 21:11 at 4.4

Low Tides: 1:05 at 2.5, 14:21 at 2.2

Lindamar: Junky storm surf on tap today.  Everything from Taco Bell north isn’t holding up and head high + waves are closing out.  The south end of the beach might have a few smaller waves with rideable corners, but all and all things are fairly disorganized.

Bolinas:  The guys up at Two Mile Surf Shop are reporting poor conditions with few waves making it through the channel or patch.  Water quality is on the poor side too, so it might be best to hop on a bike or trail if you’re up in West Marin.

Ocean Beach:  If you’re superhuman and can paddle out through 12-15ft storm surf, today is your day.  Giant, jacking surf in the triple overhead range dominates.  

Santa Cruz Area:  Usually protected, Santa Cruz is a jumbled, storm surf mess today.  Even small breaks like Cowells are unruly today.  Might be a better bet to go for a hike or decorate the Christmas tree.

There’s fun to be had outside somewhere in Northern California.  Get out and get after it!

Steve

Steve's Outdoor Adventure Update: Tahoe is in full effect!

Steve's Outdoor Adventure Update 12/15/14: Tahoe & Yosemite Snow & Ski Conditions

The SNOWPOCALYPSE has arrived!!

Ok, ok, ok maybe we are getting ahead of ourselves here- but at the very least, both Tahoe and Yosemite has had some amazing snow in the last few days and my personal observations are that early season Tahoe conditions have never been better... both resort and backcountry snow is fantastic!

The Urban Diversion North Shore cabin is happily reporting amazing conditions at both Squaw and Northstar (and the hot-tub is epic at the house too).  All runs have a sweet coat of powder and Comstock is especially fluffy after this most recent storm.  South Shore's slice of Heaven(ly) is looking mighty fine as well, 50% of the runs are open and all lifts are operational and snow making equipment is working overtime to keep up with mother nature.  

Im headed back up to North Shore for Urban Diversion's annual December winterfest- celebrate the last few days of the year with us for a little fun on the slopes, fun in the tub, or fun on the nordic trails- between all of the Christmas goose and expected NYE champagne... dont you need a little fresh air and R&R?  Plus.... Ive got some really cool gear you all can try out (snowshoes for all) and a beer-sync about backcountry avalanche danger. 

Keep it tuned to our bi-weekly blog posts and for the most up-to-date info about our outdoor adventures, check it all out here.