Third storm’s the hardest

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• Hearst Castle among homes, businesses without power

  Hearst Castle among homes, businesses without power

  UPDATE AT 2:20: Due to high winds and a power outage, Hearst Castle didn't open for tours today (Thursday), according to Nick Franco, superintendent of the State Parks district that includes Hearst Castle. Backup generators provided power, and Franco couldn't immediately tell whether grid power was back on when contacted Thursday afternoon.

  "There was just so much debris (from trees) coming down," Franco said of the decision not to open Thursday. "We expect to open Friday."

  The Cambria Fire Department, about eight miles south of the Castle, recorded a peak wind gust of 40 mph at 11:22 p.m.

• Week's winds were tough, but look at '77

  Week's winds were tough, but look at '77

  John Lindsey

  I knew it was bad when I saw the photographs of overturned semitrailers near Cajon Pass in San Bernardino County. I was stunned to see concrete light poles cracked in half by the wind's force in Los Angeles County.

  Most of the time, Central Coast surfers, kayakers and beachgoers lovingly anticipate the arrival of the northeasterly (offshore) winds with the warmer temperatures and sparkling clear skies they often bring. During late fall and winter, coastal temperatures will often be warmer than the inland temperatures in the North County. However, like many things in life, too much of a good thing can be bad. So it was last week with a strong offshore wind event.

• Winds dying down, but expect an evening chill in North County

  Winds dying down, but expect an evening chill in North County

  The strong winds that raked San Luis Obispo County on Thursday, causing widespread power outages and forcing tours at Hearst Castle to be canceled, should end by this afternoon.

  But a new weather challenge will develop: Over the next five nights, temperatures in the North County will be below freezing. The National Weather Service said overnight lows in Paso Robles and Atascadero won’t rise out of the 20s until Wednesday morning.

  The winds that blasted much of California on Thursday were the result of interaction between high pressure off the coast near San Francisco and low pressure over Southern California, said John Lindsey, a PG&E community relations specialist and Central Coast weather expert.

• Week’s winds were tough, but look at ’77

  Week’s winds were tough, but look at ’77

  I knew it was bad when I saw the photographs of overturned semitrailers near Cajon Pass in San Bernardino County. I was stunned to see concrete light poles cracked in half by the wind’s force in Los Angeles County.

  Most of the time, Central Coast surfers, kayakers and beachgoers lovingly anticipate the arrival of the northeasterly (offshore) winds with the warmer temperatures and sparkling clear skies they often bring. During late fall and winter, coastal temperatures will often be warmer than the inland temperatures in the North County. However, like many things in life, too much of a good thing can be bad. So it was last week with a strong offshore wind event.

  Winds are caused by air flowing from high pressure to low pressure, like air escaping from an inflated balloon. When an area of high pressure moves closer to a region of low pressure, the differential gives rise to stronger winds.

• Accurate measure of rain is as important as where it falls

  Accurate measure of rain is as important as where it falls

  It’s no wonder people along the Central Coast are interested in rainfall totals these days.

  If it doesn’t rain enough, farmers and ranchers won’t be able to draw as much water as they need. If it rains enough to produce runoff, some cities, industries and large construction sites may be required to take water samples for the state Regional Water Quality Control Board. Too much rainfall can produce flooding or landslides.

  Other people who live along the Central Coast are just passionate about weather and find weather statistics intriguing. Many take pride in the amount of rain they have received.