Sierra Winter: early and wet

[freshies]

Tom's California/Sierra winter predictions.....whoot! whoot!

Winter: early and wet

I usually wait until late October to print my annual winter weather forecast, but I've seen enough this September to predict an early start to the rainy season in November and December.

In a nutshell:

-- The acorn crop from oak trees is generally down this year (so nature is planning high levels of moisture and vegetation to provide food for wildlife).

-- Bucks in the north state are already chasing does for mating (this is about six weeks early).

-- Migration of sandhill cranes is ahead of schedule.

-- Lakes in Northern California are cooling about three weeks ahead of schedule.

-- Sea temperatures and land temperatures on the coast are often very close, which in my opinion allows inshore flow with the storm track. (On the other hand, cold water and warm land temps, in my opinion, create a weather wall that pushes storms north.)

My best guess is the first big storm will arrive just before Thanksgiving, and amid onshore flow in December, another big one will come just before Christmas. I realize I'm sticking my neck out; in many recent years, significant rains didn't start in California until mid-January.

[Arty50]

I realize I'm sticking my neck out; in many recent years, significant rains didn't start in California until mid-January.

He really is sticking his neck out. The last two years we've had HUGE dumps in Decemeber, but January has been a big zero, zip, zilch, nada, "I know it's January, but if feels like spring."

[freshies]

i hear ya....last 2 decembers have been EPIC....some of the best days of the last few yrs for me have been in december....let's hope that december is once again schweet AND january finally delivers as well....

[skier666]

The last couple of years we have had stellar November/December skiing...

...as long as we get that base, and we get the whole moutain open, I'm fully stoked...even if its a little weak in January.

[Greydon Clark]

December has been banger the last two years with ample deep days, while January has corny.

[Tippster]

Oh, sure, but how's it been in December and January lately?

[davey]

And of course ill be on the east coast for the second half of december

[Superstar Punani]

I predict a January meltdown...driving to Kirkweed in Hawaiian shirts with the AC blasting, skiing bumps and hitting the tabletops and halfpipes like a bunch of prepubescent park faggots.

[seldon]

I predict a January meltdown...driving to Kirkweed in Hawaiian shirts with the AC blasting, skiing bumps and hitting the tabletops and halfpipes like a bunch of prepubescent park faggots.

I predict that Su-Pu will be doing this in January regardless of the weather.

[Arty50]

I predict a January meltdown...driving to Kirkweed in Hawaiian shirts with the AC blasting, skiing bumps and hitting the tabletops and halfpipes like a bunch of prepubescent park faggots.

Don't forget to ask flatrider for rail lessons.

[Skidancer]

Just keep skiing...just keep skiing....I have rock skis so I'll ski in January even if I have to ride the lift DOWN (after skiing the steeps all AM) over grass to return to the Base Lodge. I sure hope you're right about an early season good base. Think Snow!