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• Surf’s up — so is the mercury

  Surf’s up — so is the mercury

  A two-day heat wave begins across the Central Coast today, and the high temperature might reach 100 degrees in San Luis Obispo.

  Today and Thursday should also be a surfer’s dream: Large swells and offshore winds will help form perfect waves, and the hot temperatures will make the cold ocean feel good.

  Highs in San Luis Obispo today will be in the 90s, and local forecasting expert John Lindsey said the 100-degree mark is not out of the question.

• Wind offers lesson in renewable energy

  Wind offers lesson in renewable energy

  More than 1,200 fourth- grade children throughout San Luis Obispo County will have the opportunity to attend the San Luis Obispo Farm Bureau’s Great Ag Adventure at the Paso Robles Event Center on Wednesday, during National 4-H Week.

  This event allows students to explore different aspects of agriculture in San Luis Obispo County. Each year, volunteers from the local farm community share their expertise with students by providing different demonstrations. This year’s science experiment will be “Wired for Wind,” which will introduce students to the possibilities of using wind as one source of clean and renewable energy.

  Farmers and ranchers have been harnessing the wind for centuries. Windmills were first used to grind grains and produce flour for baking bread. Those windmills were later modified to run water pumps and eventually to generate electricity. Today, modern windmills called wind turbines generate large quantities of electricity.

• On that day, the wind fed the flames

  On that day, the wind fed the flames

  It was windy, hot and dry on Oct. 20, 1991 at Alameda Naval Air Station near Oakland. We kept the cargo door open for the entire duration of our flight in our Navy H-3 Sea King helicopter as we practiced hovering near the Golden Gate Bridge.

  On most days, hovering near the iconic, international orange-painted symbol of San Francisco meant keeping the helicopter pointed toward the Pacific Ocean as the persistent westerly (onshore) winds blew toward the inland valleys. However, on that Sunday morning, we kept the helicopter pointed to the East Bay as gusting easterly (offshore) winds buffeted our aircraft.

  Reaching the end of a long Navy Reserve drill weekend — and wanting to see the 49ers game at Candlestick Park — we headed back to the base. We made our final approach to the runway and noticed smoke coming from the Oakland Hills.

• Autumn heat wave headed our way

  Autumn heat wave headed our way

  A fall heat wave will begin this weekend and strengthen into the middle of next week, though forecasters differ on just how hot it could get.

  The National Weather Service predicts daytime temperatures will jump into the 90s countywide. John Lindsey, who has more than two decades of local forecasting experience, says only the North County will reach into the 90s.

  The National Weather Service says building high pressure off the California coastline is scrubbing out any fog and low clouds and making for warm, sunny conditions.

• Heat wave makes swell surf

  Heat wave makes swell surf

  More high temperatures are expected across the county today, but forecasts show the weather beginning to cool Friday.