Did summer really end? Thanksgiving, Christmas and parade floats have long passed but summer-like weather remains. Don’t let the weather fool you; Sept. 21 was truly the last day of summer. As February began, a heated argument apparently started between the calendar and the weather as to the question “Did summer end?” 

The calendar whispered, “Yes” while the weather shouted “No!” 

No matter, the calendar is always correct and the weather (forecast) is sometimes not. Be it rain or shine, cool or warm, approximately six more weeks of winter remain. This fact was also substantiated on Feb. 2 – Ground Hog’s Day – when Phil came out of his underground burrow, saw his shadow, turned around and went back to bed.  Unlike Phil, we can’t exactly hide from the elements. (Not for long, anyway.) 

So, what is going on? 

A. Global warming   

B. La Nina  

C. Typical climate in the U.S. Southwest region 

D. Ridge of high pressure  

Maybe or maybe not “global warming” (too political). 

The correct answer is a combination then of B, C, and D.   

This season, a moderate La Niña condition has settled in, often causing low rainfall totals in Southern California. To begin, our region’s climate is categorized as a dry Mediterranean one; lack of water is a given. The real here and now factor – in our current weather – is a ridge of high pressure.

A relentless ridge of high pressure has parked itself across much of the western U.S. for the past few months. In the fall it was centered only across Southern California and the interior Southwest. Now the zone has taken a latitudinal growth spurt encompassing much of the West Coast. The season started with Pacific storms, staying mostly to the north of our region. More recently, a bigger and stronger West Coast ridge has pushed the Pacific storm track even farther north. The National Weather Service’s latest U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that drought conditions have returned. 

In my opinion, drought conditions are always the rule and not the exception in the U.S. Southwest.

Breezy offshore winds are expected today with fair skies and warm temperatures. Gusty winds will blow through the weekend, bringing cooler temperatures beginning Saturday. 

“Nothin’ but blue skies do I see …”

Sue Kilpatrick is a 

Crescenta Valley resident and 

Official Skywarn Spotter for the 

National Weather Service. Reach her at  suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.