|
February Weather Unpredictable
By Clinton S. Powell, Naturalist
February weather in Southern California Mountains can be anything, everything; just settle down and be prepared. February weather draws deep from the Great Basin and pulls in Pacific Northwest storms. Sunrise and sunset are timed to within a second and this basically is the only dependable factor in February.
The reference to mountains in Southern California often is considered a joke. “These are mountains?” This is a common phrase barked from a man from Billings, Montana, or another from Manitoba. Look at the license plates on cars and especially on Winnebagos: Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, Montana; the majority declare the folks of northern latitudes of North America have arrived. These people migrate south for the winter as dependably as flocks of Canada geese and mallards. Bank on it; when the cold winter winds blow, these people flow south for the winter. Severe weather does occur here anytime. The definition of severe is up not only to the weatherman, but to the cat desperately clawing deeply into a redwood deck, hair flat into a stiff sixty mile an hour east wind as it attempts to ‘get out of the weather.’
What occurs to wildlife in February? Once again we are the end of the joke, “Twelve band-tailed pigeons, two deer, six ground squirrels and endless flocks of starlings; this is wildlife?” Yes, this is wildlife. Stick around. Sit down, relax, you will be, well won’t be, amazed but at least impressed with something. When was the last time you saw a flycatcher, and an osprey on the same day? When have you heard a flock of geese at night while sitting outside dressed in shorts? Think about it. This is as wild as
it gets.
Starting with the basics, two primary weather patterns exist: the northwesterly storms flowing south from Alaska and the easterly high pressure systems ripping in from the Great Basin. Pacific storms are proudly shown on weather maps. Huge masses of counter-clockwise swirling storms dip in between the Pacific Ocean command a stunning image from satellite images. Who ever imagined a 24-hour TV channel with live updates occurring every time the wind blows? Without a doubt, you see these storms arriving visually, and prepare accordingly.
Something you do not see on the six-foot wide TV is the lurking high pressure system coming in from Wyoming. Yep, the last high pressure system came from the southwest corner of Wyoming. The Wyoming wind was a typical “sheet snapper”: Northeasterly winds dried out flannel sheets quicker than buttered toast on the porch. These winter winds from Wyoming, Nevada and Arizona are, and I realize I’m squeezing every bit of sponge here, actually are our only unpolluted air source. Think about it; what is the biggest city in southwestern Wyoming, southern Nevada and northern Arizona? At this moment, as another high pressure wrings us dry, I can’t think of a large city or smeltering factory upwind. Can you?
These easterly to northeasterly winds are commonly called Santa Ana winds. I don’t agree with this name, but will humor it for now. Worldwide, colorful high-pressure winds are rampant: Sirocco, Diablo, Foehn, Leste, Leveche...
This high-pressure system flowing from the mountains down to the coast is typical of Mediterranean climates worldwide. Our latitude of 32 degrees is similar to the mountains of Morocco, the foothills of Libya and Egypt. The basic element of this climate is to apply Robert Boyle’s Law of the 1700s. Boyle’s Law shows that heating by compression occurs as high pressure winds of 40 to 60 mph begin in Julian at 50 degrees and reach Del Mar with a light soft breeze and temperatures of 75 degrees to 85 degrees. Boyle’s Law and high pressure are a basic principle of exothermic — giving off heat — winds. Another basic principle is katabatic or downward-moving warm winds.
Unfortunately the National Weather Service does not have monthly data for Julian. I’ve picked out a site this past year and I’m sticking with it until someone tells me where to stick it. This is the AOL site. I don’t know where this data is collected; regardless of location, temperature will vary from Wynola to Julian to Cuyamaca.
Historically some numbing temperatures occur this month. In 1949 –4 degrees is a February record; this should sober the arrogant smile on a Nebraska farmer faster than the price of a hot fudge Sundae. Balancing the low of –4 degrees is an average low temperature of 29 degrees. In ’02, the record high was 74 degrees, the average high is 51 degrees, another tolerable winter day.
Rainfall in February historically is about the same as January. Anywhere from 3.25 inches – 3.45 inches is expected. Snowfall varies drastically. What is drastic? To most people, any snowfall is a crisis. Snowfall, accurate snowfall measurement requires an expensive snow gauge. Most of us use a 12 inch ruler and record snow on a picnic table.
February weather is basically the same as January. This past January was dominated by high pressure. What will happen in February? Check back in March; you never know until it’s over.
| 
