Articles by author: Jack Martin

Good Saturday morning, 

The chill continues. Waking up this morning in Santa Ynez, it is a chilly 30 degrees. Santa Barbara and Montecito, 42 degrees.

Any way you look at this, it's like a winter blast of cold. I know folks that live in the Midwest and east coast would laugh at me by saying this.

However us in Southern California are just not use to this cold. 

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-120.06614685058592&lat=34.582344417658376#.XHE-3xqIafA

Last night I was driving home from my office at around 5:30 and the sun was still up. We are gaining more day light each day.

One week from today, daylight savings is back. We gain an hour of day light in the evening.

Good Friday morning,

It has been a wild month of February, with crazy storms. This last system was very exciting for some.

However, Santa Barbara missed all the ACTION.

Areas to the north, Santa Maria, SLO, and Santa Ynez all saw 1/2 of a inch. We saw 2/100.

https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/lox/scripts/getlocal.php?prod=LAXRRMSBA

The most exciting part was yesterday, when that red cell went through Nipomo.

Gordon sent me some photos, then Andy came through with the video.

Winds last night blew pretty hard from the north. This is thanks to a low pressure system spinning over Nevada right now.

https://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/west/weus/h5-loop-wv.html

This is an extremely cold system that is working its way south today. It has very little moisture with it, and north winds will prevent most of SB from seeing much precipitation.

With that being said, there will still be showers today. These will occur throughout the day. Not much, but we will have some showers. Maybe ¼ of a inch, mainly over the mountains.

We will hope that snow may be seen at sunrise. Snow levels today can actually get as high as 1000 feet. Possible as low as 500 feet.

We will see what the day brings us.

Here comes the next very cold system. The feature of this low pressure system is not the wind or rain, but the cold air it brings with it.

This system is diving south out of Canada right now. North to south flow over land is going to be moisture starved. 

https://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/west/nepac/h5-loop-wv.html

This will make for unstable air, but very limited rain and snow.

For areas like Santa Barbara, the south facing mountains are going to block the rain showers.

The best we can hope for is some white on the hillside of San Marcus Pass.

Thanks Kirk, check out the changes 1 year brings with the snow pack.

We will give Kirk a plug, he runs our solar division. If you are interested in solar, call Kirk with Action Energy at 805-896-3776.

This is the last year for the 30% tax credit, then it is reduced

https://www.noozhawk.com/article/nasa_satellite_dramatic_difference_in_california_snowpack_levels_20190217

Good Monday morning,

It is bitter cold out there. Good thing Kids and some working kids get a day off. 

For all the rest of us, you will want heavy coats and gloves this morning. 

All windshields and Roofs will have Ice. 

Skies are relatively clear and it is bright out there with the full moon overhead.   

https://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/west/nepac/h5-loop-wv.html

We will have 3 dry-cold days. Today is the last day of wind for a few. 

Wednesday night into Thursday we are looking at a weak- cold storm. Snow levels will be at or below 2000 feet.

Good Saturday morning,

North winds are blowing out there, with chilly temps. 

Today, we are looking at no rain in Santa Barbara as north flow creates a rain shadow over Santa Barbara. For Santa Ynez, there may still be a slight chance for a shower, but it should be mostly dry. 

For the chill however, it will be unseasonably cold. Highs will make it into the 50s. 

Tonight, another system rolls into the forecast area. This is extremely cold. 

Sunday, we are looking at some rain or snow at higher elevation. This is not a big system, but we will see some showers.  1/4 inch of rain. 3/4 on north facing mountains or snow of 3 to 5 inches. Highs will be in the 40s in the valleys and low 50s coastal.

Good Friday morning,

It is looking like a few more days of unsettled weather through Sunday. 

The 2 day rain totals were right on track with what was expected.

San Marcos Pass had over 3 inches, Montecito 1 1/2, SB received an inch, and Patty in Santa Ynez also saw an inch of rain. 

Today a colder system will bring light showers to the area.

Looking like the greatest chance of rain is this afternoon as the low over Oregon drops into California this afternoon.

1/4 inch for SB, 1/2 inch for northern locations. Snow levels around 5000 feet.

There are some showers approaching the central coast as you read this:

https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/lox/scripts/animate.php?root=radar_cr&list=VBX_7.png,VBX_6.png,VBX_5.png,VBX_4.png,VBX_3.png,VBX_2.png,VBX_1.png,VBX_0.png

Saturday will be chilly, but mostly dry. Snow levels will be 3500 feet.

Good Thursday morning, 

Yesterday’s system did not drop much rain along the coastal areas, but all you had to do is look into the mountains and you saw the rain most of the day.

The hills received quite a bit more. 

Don’t be lulled to sleep, today is going to be much different.

The atmospheric river is pointed straight at us. The rain totals will climb quickly today.

https://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/west/nepac/h5-loop-wv.html

We will start to see the rain pick up by 7am and continue into the afternoon before it starts to let up.