California is known for its Mediterranean climate. Among the things that draw people to this land, weather is usually found at the top of the list. While perpetual sunshine, palm trees and gentle breezes headline the image of our state, reality becomes quite different this time of year.

California is known for its Mediterranean climate. Among the things that draw people to this land, weather is usually found at the top of the list. While perpetual sunshine, palm trees and gentle breezes headline the image of our state, reality becomes quite different this time of year.

I have oft times thought of central California weather as boring for much of the year. It is very predictable: sunshine and heat. But from November through April there is the likelihood of fairly stimulating weather conditions. Such will be the case over the next 7 days. Dense Tule fog blankets the valley this morning with school fog delays and dangerous driving conditions. But by this weekend a massive region of low pressure will drop out of the northwest encompassing most of the western U.S. This upcoming change is also expected to bring windy weather initially to blow away the fog and then our first real chance for winter precipitation to low elevations in Kern County. Depending on how much moisture is pulled up from semi-tropical regions, we could see several inches of snow down to the Grapevine and below. Current computer models suggest snow levels to about 3,000 feet late Sunday and early Monday. Rain in the valley will be significant and welcomed.

It is nice to know weather in California presents some variety. Obviously, we need the rain and mountain snow to get us through another water year. But beyond that, the variability, and to some extent, the unpredictability of weather is akin to the “spice of life”. If it was always the same hum drum weather day-in and day-out, no matter how congenial, we would lose touch with the veracity of life. So bring on wind and rain and snow. It is part of the holiday season. Let it snow (even though the passes may be affected). Bring on the rain (even though it might cause a postponement). Embrace the fog- I know schoolchildren do. Revel in the clouds. Enjoy the morning frost. Why? Because it’s not like there is anything we can do to change the weather. We’re along for the ride.

A strong polar jet stream is destined to dip far to the south and deliver weather like Santa Claus handing out presents. Personally, I’ve been trying to finish up flight school, but the fog has been so bad lately that student pilots can’t fly. Nevertheless, it is what it is. Our turbulent atmosphere is never empty or lacking in surprises. And just remember that once the real weather is over, we will return to the California that most people envision. If you don’t like the cold and wet and fog of December, perhaps relief is just a memory away. Think about the 100-degree heat of this past July and long sunny days. There- Feel better?

If you truly engage with what comes out of the sky, you will ultimately conclude that weather is not something to fight, it is something to behold and enjoy. After all, seasons slowly progress from one extreme to another and then back again. Nature provides an environment of atmospheric delights that are anything but boring.