Every OBcian needs to walk along the water's edge at Torrey Pines State Park. (Photo by Shanna Landry.)
Every year around this time, San Diego and Southern California enjoy a week or two of “unseasonable” warm weather. People go to the beach in swimsuits and actually go into the ocean.
The highs are in the 70’s. Overcoats are stashed, and the BBQ grills are rolled back out from their winter hibernation. But it’s only for a while.
I call it Primavera Falsa – False Spring – and like I said it happens every January.
A belt of warm water surges north from the Equator and envelops our local waters and air, heating up everything, and for these happy two weeks or so, we’re glad.
But it happens every year. So, it’s NOT “unseasonable” – as the San Diego U-T states. If something akin to this occurs with regularity, it’s regular, it’s seasonal.
Has all “collective memory” at our daily fishwrap – the Union-Tribune and its online version, SignOnSanDiego, vanished?
Is there no one there who has a recall system long enough to remember this occurance the first month of every year here? I know U-T writer Roger Showley knows this – he’s been there for decades – I went to Point Loma High School with him in the Sixties. He should know – ah, but he doesn’t work the weather beat or the cutsy-for-tourists stories.
It is a false spring, as flowers bloom and trees think it’s Spring time! Insects and birds are a-buzzing once again.
But alas, it only lasts for a short but wonderful time. Then it’s back to the cold and the chill. Back to coats and layers and chilly days.
So, remember when out-of-town friends or tourists exclaim to you, “wow, this is unseasonable weather we’re having, isn’t it!?” – you can stare them straight in the face and say, ‘no, this happens every January, and it’s the Primavera Falsa!”
So, enjoy while you can.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
lol
nunya, what’s so gosh-darn funny??
Well, out here in the EAST county, it is 91. I am so enjoying it. Did have to unearth the shorts and sandals. Heated up the jacuzzi for my grandson. Got the burgers on the grill as we speak! Even whipped up some potato salad. Life is good for however long it lasts!
Ditto on that. Had the grill out Saturday and did the last of the steaks – a gift from an OB Rag supporter who REALLY liked our role in saving the Torrey Pine. Cheers!
Sounds like a story. Is there some kind of tale we should know here?
Molly, not a lengthy story: one of our supporters was so pleased with what we did around saving the Long Branch Ave Torrey Pine that they gave us a whole lot of quality meat products – and wish to remain anonymous.
Sunsets have been great too!
The tides often are extreme during this time also.
Even if it only lasts for a few days I love it. But I did warn my from New England guests that it doesn’t stay this way all winter
high tide wed/thurs 7am expecting 7feet ( weather report from http://www.weathermodule.com )
Yes, and often when friends come to vacation in June, it is frigid. Well, frigid for us. I remember some Memorial Days that were too cold , windy to do much. 4th of July parade in Coronado fogged in! My door and windows still wide open tonight!
I was rockin’ board shorts and a wetsuit top today while surfing. I was warm for the first hour and then the cold started getting to me when the sun had only 20 minutes left of sunshine. What a beautiful day!!!
Today – Tuesday the 18th-, the San Diego U-T admitted that the last couple of Januaries have had warm weather, but no mention of the seasonable-ness of January heat.
Out at 5:30 am with the dog, it was 59. Early last week it was 33 at the same time. We get the extremes here in El Cajon.