Was That It? Is Winter Really Already Over?
KPIX 5 Morning Weather Anchor Roberta Gonzales answers the questions you never get to ask on-air.
Q: So, was that really winter?
A: It's official. Winter has been cancelled and we are catapulting over Spring and entering Summer. I must admit, for the first time this "Winter" season, my hopes are dashed. I am putting away my coats, storing my sweaters and packing up my rain boots. My "cold weather running gear" was never used this Winter. If I had to find my favorite Golden State Warriors "Beanie," I would not know where to begin. It is nowhere to be found since it has been over a year since I have needed it. Honestly, I have not once turned on my heater in my home.
After tomorrows light spotty rain (some places may only receive a trace of precipitation while higher elevations and Coastal Ranges could see a less than a quarter of an inch of rain), expect the Bay Area to log Record Warm High Temperatures in the 80s. That's right, the 80s. Not all of our microclimates will THAT balmy, but temps will certainly be well above average. The South Bay will shatter Weather Records and inland areas of Monterey County will flirt with 90 degrees. South Lake Tahoe will top off at 67 degrees.
And I'm not in a funk just because of the weather onshore. Offshore, water temperatures off the Monterey Coast are in the upper 50s. Last summer, Monterey Bay buoy's sea temperature reached 68 degrees in July 24. That's the highest ever recorded from the buoy since the National Data Buoy Center began keeping records in 1987. If forecasts are correct, this summer, we can easy match that water temperature record or surpass it. This is all so hard to wrap my head around! Think about it…during summer months - when I swim weekly at Lake Del Valle in Livermore - we may hit 67 degrees. But that's in a LAKE! If I am confused, I can't imagine what the jellyfish off Monterey Bay are thinking!
As of this writing, it appears near average temperatures and a chance of rain returns to the Bay Area Sunday, March 22. Until then, I am packing up my Uggs and stashing my umbrella with diminishing dreams of a Miracle March.
Why do you think the Bay Area is in its fourth year of drought? Why does Boston have more snow than Alaska? Sound off! I would love to hear from you!
Meanwhile, if you have a question for a future blog, please write to me: Gonzales@kpix.cbs.com
