A storm sweeping into our region is forecast to bring Santa Ana winds through Friday, with rain countywide and gusts up to 70 miles per hour in high desert areas.
Mountains and deserts could have thunderstorms through Saturday, with snow down to 5,000 feet in elevation. The above photo was taken off the Mount Laguna Lodge live webcam today at 3:25 pm.
Use caution if driving due to strong winds and wet roadways If driving in mountain areas, carry chains and be prepared for icy conditions.
But what a difference a 1000 feet makes. Here’s Julian at 3:30 pm:
It’s snowing right now in Mt. Laguna – 3:30 pm, Thursday.
And up here 40 air miles from Canada in the Selkirk Range it’s supposed to be 67’F Saturday. Up until just a decade ago it used to be snowing at my elevation, heavily, all through March (huge dumps) right into April and often in May right up to the last frost in June.
Not any more.
But to the west of me on the coast, above my favorite surf beach La Push on the Olympic Peninsula, Hurricane Ridge looks like this:
https://www.nps.gov/webcams-olym/northcam.jpg
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My old apple tree is starting to bud, in mid-March! Ten years ago it never flowered until late May or June. There are no pollinator bugs out this early. Oh, and the first robins showed up last week that aren’t due until late April/May. I have no idea what they are eating because there isn’t any worms out yet, either, but if it’s like last year they’ll fly down to the valley. Used to have robin nests all over the place, too.
And the OB Hotel cam is pouring rain at the moment. Guess you called it for down there, Frank.
sealintheSelkirks