Edhat Staff
As the calendar flipped from May to June, residents of Santa Barbara County have found themselves under the persistent shroud of cloudy and overcast weather conditions.
This phenomenon, often referred to locally as “May Gray” and “June Gloom,” has gripped the region with its cool and damp persistence.
“June Gloom” officially began Saturday morning with dense clouds and fog layering the South Coast with patches of drizzle.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Santa Barbara County experienced an unusually prolonged period of cloudy and overcast weather throughout the month of May. This pattern will continue to extended into the early part of June.
“Southwest California continues to be mired in a deep marine layer and strong onshore flow pattern as a result of persistent troughing along the West Coast. While not atypical to have low clouds in May and June, this year does seem to be a little more gloomy than usual,” states NWS. “The trough is expected to start loosening its grip Sunday into next week that will bring about a warming trend, especially by Tuesday, with the main focus being the deserts and other areas far removed from the still chilly influence of the Pacific Ocean.”
NWS states there are already signs of improving conditions as northerly flow is starting to develop across our western areas, where satellite imagery is showing low clouds rapidly pulling away from the coast near Point Conception.
In addition, downslope warming due to the gusty north winds passing over the western Transverse range is causing warming and drying conditions there this afternoon.
While clearing may not reach all areas to the east and south, this is a good sign that better clearing is likely over the next couple days along with a slight warming trend, NWS states.
Despite these current trends, clouds are expected to reform in most coast/valley areas through early afternoon Sunday, and likely longer at some beaches.
Residents and visitors alike have had to adapt to the cooler and cloudier weather conditions, with outdoor activities such as beach outings, hiking, and picnics being impacted by the lack of sunshine and lower temperatures.
The prolonged overcast weather has also prompted some to seek out indoor activities or engage in recreational pursuits that are less dependent on clear skies.
Despite the persistent cloud cover, weather experts predict that gradual clearing may occur in the coming days as the marine layer weakens and onshore flow diminishes. However, fluctuations in temperature and the potential for patchy fog and drizzle remain a possibility as Santa Barbara County transitions from May Gray to June Gloom.
As the amateur astronomy community says:
April vapril
May gray
June gloom
July no sky
August fogust
Souptember
And buying a piece of new observing equipment guarantees two weeks of obscured sky.
I for one will be enjoying the memory of cool, gray, moist weather come our summer season that starts in September!
Overcast is typical Santa B
arbara weather – this year seems less than is typical.
At our house, we don’t call it “Vapril,” we call it “Graypril.”
And we don’t mind this lack of sun, apart from the fact that it’s not great for growing our tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini and cucumbers. Also: Poor tourists. We feel a bit sorry for visitors who don’t get to enjoy a sunny holiday here.
Just as California’s first heat wave is due, we’ll be cool.
May Gray and June Gloom. Cute names but it’s all the same: no sun shinning
“The trough is expected to start loosening its grip Sunday into next week”
Which Sunday? This is vague. If you mean next Sunday say so.
“ This pattern will continue to extended into the early part of June.”
Obviously not proofread, which makes the whole articles information dubious!
Sincerely, Charles Foster Kane