The Weekend is Here!

UPDATED: Friday, January 16, 2015: 9:30am

Boom!  Just like that, the weekend is only hours away.  I’m headed out to Big Basin for our Intro to Camping Weekend, the weather’s going to be lovely and I’m pumped.  

Last night I got out to the Mosaic Steps in the Sunset with a crew of UD members and we had a blast.  San Francisco has tons of little gems nestled into corners of the city and this stairway is one of them.  

Summary:

Now to your weekend weather…  A small system is barely impacting the Sierra with snow flurries this morning.  Another cloud and flurry producing system could come in on Sunday, but not much moisture is predicted.  Temps in the mountains remain cool and seasonable with highs in the 40’s.  Down in the lowlands, expect partly cloudy skies all weekend, dry conditions and temps in the low to mid 60’s during the day, 40’s at night.  Perfect for hiking, biking and camping.  

Around Tahoe:

Patience is a virtue.  The great wait for a big system and big snows continues.  This morning flurries are flying around on the North Shore and they may return on Sunday, but measurable snow isn’t predicted.  Clouds will be in and out this weekend in the mountains and temperatures will remain cool, but pleasant in the 40’s.  The good news is that the resorts are in great shape with their snowmaking capacity replenishing the runs almost daily.  The next chance for a big storm looks like February?

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

Backcountry Conditions from the Sierra Avalanche Center:

LOW avy danger dominates the backcountry.  Surface conditions are firm to bullet proof.  Check the full report for observations and details.

Hike and Bike Conditions Around the Bay:

It’s going to be a great weekend to be outside this weekend.  I’m going to be up at Big Basin for the Redwood and Waterfall camping trip.  If you’re not coming, you should at least be enjoying some hikes around your corner of the Bay.  Highs will be in the 60’s and lows will dip into the 40’s over the next two days.  If you can, make sure to be outside around sunset.  The stagnant air over the region is creating some amazing sunsets over the ocean.  Look up!

Surf Around the Region:  

A new swell arrived late on Wednesday and it has lit up the local breaks.  Ocean Beach in SF is pulling overhead waves.  Head to mellower spots like Pacifica and Bolinas up in the North Bay to find fun, user friendly surf.  Expect medium to large waves at the more exposed breaks for the duration of the weekend before a reinforcing swell hits the region early next week.

Sunrise/Sunset and Tidal Information:

January 16, 2015

Sunrise: 7:23am/ Sunset: 5:15pm

High Tide: 6:46am at 6.30ft/ 20:52 at 4.36ft

Low Tide: 12:31am at 2.81ft/ 13:52 at 1.06ft

SB

Quick, Late Update

UPDATED: Wednesday, January 14, 2015: 4:15pm

Today’s a busy day of planning at UD, hence the late and brief report.

Summary

NorCal is pretty locked into a dry period for the rest of the week.  This doesn’t bode well for the snowpack and water in California, but it does mean that we’ve got a great forecast lined up for tomorrow’s Mosaic Step Hike and this weekend’s Big Basin camping trip!  Expect highs around the Bay to continue in the upper 50’s under sunny skies.  Tahoe is mainly sunny today and dry with temps hitting the 40’s.  A small system might bring some showers into the region on Thursday and Friday, but any precip will be light, if it falls at all.  Surf at the beaches continues to be good and some larger, stronger swell is forecast to hit the region starting tomorrow.  If you get a chance to check out Ocean Beach tomorrow morning, you might see people catching great barrels. Winds remain light, but the best conditions will be around dawn, so wake up and get after it.

Happy Hump Day!

SB

Monday Morning.

UPDATED: Monday, January 12, 2015, 8:45am

Happy Monday after a great weekend!  I hosted a UD kayak out on McCovey Cove on Saturday and the Bay was in fine, glassy form.  

Don’t forget that this weekend is the annual Waterfalls and Redwoods Intro to Camping Weekend in Big Basin!  Come out for two nights of mellow car camping a short drive away on the Peninsula.  

Summary:

The first half of the week will host mild and calm weather for all of Northern California.  While it’s been cool up in the mountains, we’ve yet to receive any new snow.  Around Tahoe the first half of the week will host highs in the low 40’s and lows in the 20’s.  Expect partly sunny skies with some morning fog around the Bay and temps in the 50’s to near 60 through Wednesday.  Good surf, especially in the morning continues along the coast.  

Around Tahoe:

The wait for new snow continues.  The saving grace is two-fold: the heavy, base building snow that we received in December hasn’t been in a hurry to melt and the low, January sun angle isn’t strong enough to do serious warming.  That, coupled with cool temps and snow making at the resorts has kept snow conditions good.  We are in big need of a storm and the models are hinting at the possibility of that coming next weekend.  Details about timing, strength, snow levels and the like are still days away, but the weather models reading the atmospheric tea leaves favor some weather for next weekend or early next week.  Do a dance, cross your fingers and hope for snow.

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

Backcountry Conditions from the Sierra Avalanche Center:

LOW avy danger dominates the backcountry.  Surface conditions are firm to bullet proof.  Check the full report for observations and details.

Hike and Bike Conditions Around the Bay:

I feel like a broken record: partly sunny skies with highs near 60 and lows in the 40’s.  If you can escape the office for a bit, do it.  The rain will return and we’ll all be kicking ourselves for taking this for granted.  Don’t forget that I’m hosting a free Urban Hike at the mosaic steps in San Francisco on Thursday.  I’d love to meet some new faces!  

Surf Around the Region:  

The surf this weekend picked up and offered some sizeable fun at spots like Ocean Beach.  Clean double overhead swells came in on Saturday and have since mellowed.  Expect decreasing surf Monday and Tuesday before it picks up again Wednesday.  The best conditions are early, so wake up before work and get in a dawn patrol session.

Sunrise/Sunset and Tidal Information:

January 12, 2015

Sunrise: 7:25am/ Sunset: 5:11pm

High Tide: 4:29am at 5.27ft/ 16:25 at 3.79ft

Low Tide: 10:52am at 2.1ft/ 22:08 at 1.8ft

SB

Sunny and Mild

UPDATED: Friday, January 7, 2015, 9:30am

Eric G. finds fast, ripable snow at Sugarbowl.  1/9/15

Summary:

The weekend is here and the options for outdoor adventures abound!  It’s a great weekend to ski, kayak on the Bay or head out for a hike.  I’m writing from UD’s North Shore cabin in Truckee where temperatures this morning are in the high 20’s under mostly cloudy skies.  Expect Tahoe to be mostly cloudy today with continued warm temps.  Things will cool off and clear out for the weekend.  Around the Bay expect sunny skies and mild temps.  New swell is in the water at the beaches, so it’s a good time to head to more protected breaks like Lindamar, Bolinas or Santa Cruz if you’re not able to paddle through overhead sets.

Around Tahoe:

I got out on the snow for a bit yesterday at Sugarbowl and found surprisingly fun conditions.  Weeks without any new snow have left us powderless, but the groomers are fast and fun, not as wet as I feared they might be, especially in the afternoon.  Coverage on the mountains remains good, especially on the upper mountains.  I’m looking forward to grabbing a few more turns before heading home this afternoon.  This weekend expect highs in the lower to mid 40’s during the day and 20’s at night.  There’s a chance for some light snow on the east side of the lake later in the day on Sunday, but it looks like any accumulation will be pretty minimal.  The next chance of a pattern change looks like MLK weekend.  Hopefully we can get a decent storm in here soon.

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

Backcountry Conditions from the Sierra Avalanche Center:

LOW avy danger dominates the backcountry and will likely continue this weekend.  Any instabilities encountered will likely be from daytime warming of the snowpack, especially on sun exposed slopes.  Overcast skies today will likely keep conditions firm and icy.  Check the full report for observations and details.

Hike and Bike Conditions Around the Bay:

Mild winter weather will continue this weekend.  Daytime highs in the mid to upper 50’s and sunny skies call for some fun outside.  I’m hosting the UD kayak on McCovey Cove on Saturday and might even try to sneak in a trail run on Sunday.  Whatever you do, get outside and enjoy the weekend!

Surf Around the Region:  

The mellow surf of the past week has finally given way to a new, larger swell.  Looking at the cams this morning out at Ocean Beach, a few double overhead waves are rolling in, but cleanly.  More protected spots like Lindamar, Bolinas and Capitola will provide smaller, more user friendly surf.  The swell should be peaking late today and tomorrow, then will slowly back off over the weekend.  Expect calm to light easterly winds most of the weekend, with the best conditions early in the morning.  

Sunrise/Sunset and Tidal Information:

January 9, 2015

Sunrise: 7:25am/ Sunset: 5:08pm

High Tide: 1:51am at 5.08ft/ 12:45 at 5.11ft

Low Tide: 7:17am at 2.8ft/ 19:21 at 0.58ft

Have a great weekend!  

SB

This is January?

UPDATED: Friday, January 7, 2015, 10:00am

January?  Warm weather and great conditions on the water at Ocean Beach, San Francisco.

Summary:

Believe it or not, it actually is January 7.  The high today in Chicago is 1 degree.  Northern California, however, looks about as good as it gets for the middle of winter.  While there’s no new snow in the Sierra, below freezing nights and daytime highs in the 40’s are preserving the snow fairly well up on the mountains.  I’m headed to Tahoe today and I’ll give the next update from the UD cabin on the North Shore.  Expect weather around the Bay over the next two days to be sunny and warm with highs around 60 and lows near 50.  The surf is still splendid and fun-sized, so get out on the water if you can or just take in a walk on the beach.

Around Tahoe:

Sunny and mild conditions reign up in the Sierra.  Highs over the next few days will be in the 40’s and low 50’s with sunny skies.  The next chance for a pattern change and some significant snow looks like it could come in time for or around the MLK weekend.  The models are hinting at a pattern change, but it’s still a long way off, so I’m not getting my hopes up just yet.  This isn’t our first season with a dry January.  The coming weekend looks to be more of the same with the beautiful weather.  It’s a perfect time to head up, learn to ski or board or just sharpen your skills in anticipation of the coming storms.

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

Backcountry Conditions from the Sierra Avalanche Center:

LOW avy danger dominates the backcountry and will likely continue this weekend.  Any instabilities encountered will likely be from daytime warming of the snowpack, especially on sun exposed slopes.  Check the full report for observations and details.

Hike and Bike Conditions Around the Bay:

Sunny and beautiful will continue with highs around 60 and lows near 50.  Light winds out of the N and E will prevail.  The weather’s looking great for the UD kayak on McCovey Cove on Saturday.  Sign up and let’s paddle around the Bay!

Surf Around the Region:  

The surf has been consistently stellar this past week.  WNW and WSW swell at around 4-5 feet with grooming, offshore winds has made surf good all day long.  The swell will back off in size on Thursday until a new, larger swell will approach the area Friday in the 8-10 ft. range.  

I swam out at Ocean Beach on Sunday afternoon with the camera.  These are the winter conditions the local surf community dreams about.

Sunrise/Sunset and Tidal Information:

January 7, 2015

Sunrise: 7:25am/ Sunset: 5:07pm

High Tide: 12:48am at 5.07ft/ 11:27 at 5.84ft

Low Tide: 5:46am at 2.82ft/ 18:11 at -0.12ft

I’m hosting Kayaking on McCovey Cove on Saturday and the weather’s going to be great.  Come on out and enjoy an afternoon with great views on the San Francisco waterfront.  

The Day of Reckoning

NorCal Adventure Conditions: UPDATED: Monday, January 5, 2015, 9:00am

Summary:

The day of reckoning is upon us.  The holidays are over and it’s time to head back into the office.  Fear not!  UD has tons of activities and trips on the horizon for the coming year.  Be sure to check the calendar regularly as we continue to develop more fun activities.  Thanks to the solid crew that came out for our hike on Mt. Davidson on Saturday.  We had a blast!

Mt. Davidson hikers take in San Francisco from above.

The weather for the first half of the work week looks to be much of the same around Northern California.  Tahoe hasn’t received any new snow, but the combination of crisp temps and low January sun will keep the snow on the mountains cold and fast for ripping at the resorts.  Mild daytime highs and sunny skies around the Bay will keep things pleasant this week, while a small, chest high swell and East winds will make for continued fun surf at the beaches.  

Around Tahoe:

Beautiful morning up at Squaw

No new snow is in the forecast for the next two days, so go back to work and fret not.  If you are in the mountains, have the sunscreen handy and show your appreciation of the snow that we do have by cruising the groomers on the upper mountains.  Later in the week we could get a dusting, but it looks like the best chance of snow might be later in the month.  

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

Backcountry Conditions from the Sierra Avalanche Center:

LOW avy danger dominates the backcountry and will likely continue this week.  Small warming instabilities may develop on slopes with the most sun exposure with daytime warming.  It’s a good, safe time for a hike, ski tour or snowshoe.  For more details, check out the full report.

Hike and Bike Conditions Around the Bay:

Beautiful, mild, sunny weather is the name of the game for the first half of the day.  If you can get out for a run, or even a nice walk on your lunch break, it’s a great time to do it.

Surf Around the Region:  

Consistent, fun-sized swell and offshore winds made this weekend pretty nice out at Ocean Beach.  The swell will continue through the end of the week with primarily N and NE winds, lightest early in the day.  Get out and enjoy a dawn patrol session before work if you can.

Sunrise/Sunset and Tidal Information:

January 5, 2015

Sunrise: 7:25am/ Sunset: 5:05pm

High Tide: 10:14am at 6.48ft/ --

Low Tide: 4:21am at 2.74ft/ 17:02 at -0.55ft

NorCal Adventure Conditions Update: January 2, 2015, 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.  

Winter in California.

Summary:

The new year is here and the weather’s great.  Cool, clear days around the Bay and will continue into the weekend with temperatures eventually warming back to around 60.  No new snow for Tahoe this weekend, but expect perfect, bluebird conditions with highs in the 30’s.  Keep the sunscreen handy.  The surf around SF is small, clean and perfect for a longboard.  Go get it!  Also, don’t forget about the full moon hike tomorrow night up on Mt. Davidson.  The weather’s looking perfect.

Around Tahoe:

“Whatchu talkin’ bout, Willis?” sums up the outlook for big snow in the coming week for the mountains.  It looks like we’re getting set for an extended dry period that will eventually warm up a bit next week.  Keep your fingers crossed that things will change up and we can sneak a storm in.  Expect sunny skies and highs in the 30’s this weekend across the Tahoe Basin, perfect weather for lapping the groomers and getting in shape for big powder dumps later this season.

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

Backcountry Conditions from the Sierra Avalanche Center:

LOW avy danger dominates the backcountry and will likely continue this weekend.  It’s a good, safe time for a hike, ski tour or snowshoe.  For more details, check out the full report.

Hike and Bike Conditions Around the Bay:

Clear skies, a full moon and crisp days will reign this weekend.  Get out on the trails, walk the beaches and enjoy the weather.  Beach bonfire?  This is why we live in California, right?  

Surf Around the Region:  

When Tahoe isn’t getting new snow this time of year, the surf can often be great.  That’s happening now.  Waist to chest high swell is coming in at Ocean Beach and light offshore winds are grooming the waves.  Be aware that the full moon is bringing big tidal swings, but the waves are looking good.  

Sunrise/Sunset and Tidal Information:

January 2, 2015

Sunrise: 7:25am/ Sunset: 5:02pm

High Tide: 8:13am at 6.75ft/ 22:12 at 4.93ft

Low Tide: 1:59am at 2.48ft/ 15:07 at -0.5ft

See you in the moonlight tomorrow night on Mt. Davidson!