Weather Shift

One effect of climate change seems to be a shift in the rainy season for Northern California. Winter is usually when we see the most rain, but after a dry winter the Bay Area has begun to see signifiant spring rains. Sitting at about 50% of normal rainfall for this time of year, every raindrop helps, especially when the weather systems result in snow fall in the Sierra Mountains. The Sierra snowpack is important since it provides water for Central Valley farmers and many Bay Area cities.

With rain storms coming later in the year, the freezing levels have tended to be higher and that has made for more flyable conditions in a small plane. And there has been some convective activity and unique, showery precipitation. Here are some photos.

Flying the Blue Beast

Final, Stockton RNAV RWY 11L

Inbound to Columbia

Cloud Shadow over Discovery Bay

Localized Showers, Tracy, CA

Rain Drops

Reflecting while on Vectors ...

More Valley Showers

The Other City by the Bay

Calm Waters, Pt. Reyes

Sliding Underneath

On Top

Sutter Buttes

Short Final

Odd Winter, Endless Possibilities

It's been a dry winter in Northern California and warmer than I can remember in the three decades I've lived here. There have been a few rain showers, but fewer than these photos might lead you to believe. Instead of getting a bit of a break in December, January and February, I've been flying. A lot. Here are some of the nice sights.

New Year, New Photos

Very hectic teaching schedule the last six weeks due to warm and dry conditions, but the weather has finally become winter-like. More posts in the hopper, but until then ... some photos.

Descent to Clear Lake

Coastal Range

Bay Area Morning

Fog Rolls in at Mavericks

Valley Light

Mission Peak

Altamont Windmills

Near Panoche

Also Near Panoche

Winter Arrived a few days ago ...

Lake Merced

San Francisco

San Joaquin Sunrise

Scaggs Island Inbound

Valley Fog Advecting Westward

Near Tracy

Windmills and Fog

Zeppelin Sunset