Warmer weather expected this week across SLO County

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• Coldest December in SLO since ’71? Probably

  Coldest December in SLO since ’71? Probably

  This is proving to be the coldest December in San Luis Obispo County in 40 years, according to a new analysis of high and low temperatures by local weather expert John Lindsey.

  The month is not over yet, he cautioned. Still, through Wednesday, this December is colder than any other final month of the year going back to 1971, which is the coldest December on record, Lindsey said.

  His analysis of temperature readings taken at Cal Poly puts numbers to what many locals have been feeling: It really has been cold, especially overnight.

• Waves greatly affect beaches

  Waves greatly affect beaches

  As the spring sun reaches farther northward toward the first day of summer, extreme storm activity in the northern Pacific and the high-energy winter waves that they generate will fade to a memory. Wave action along the Central Coast is seasonal, responding to the storms that move over the northern and southern Pacific Ocean.

  This wave climate has a profound effect on many of our treasured sandy beaches. These beaches provide homes to countless creatures, nearly endless recreation opportunities and a lift to our spirits. They are also an important financial asset for San Luis Obispo County, attracting millions of dollars a year in tourism.

  Generally speaking, waves become wider and deeper during summer and narrower and shallower during winter as waves and currents move a river of sand back and forth from the sea. However, bulky Southern Hemisphere swell trains during summer can also produce beach erosion.

• April lives up to its reputation

  April lives up to its reputation

  April weather can be as gnarly as bark on a pine tree or as soft as talcum powder. This month of April has certainly lived up to its reputation as a transition month between the cool and blustery weather of winter and the warm and dry weather of summer.

  The month started roughly when a storm off the California coast butted against a strong Eastern Pacific high and produced 16-foot swells at the Diablo Canyon Waverider buoy April 1. That was the biggest swell event since January 2010. The Cape San Martin NOAA marine buoy, stationed 55 nautical miles northwest of Morro Bay, reached even higher, at 23 feet.

  Afterward, a fast-moving front swept across the Central Coast. Cold air filtered in behind it and produced widespread frost throughout San Luis Obispo County. On April 5, a strong Eastern Pacific high developed about 500 miles west of San Luis Obispo and combined with an area of low pressure over Nevada to produce a steep pressure gradient. Consequently, the northwesterly winds reached 37 mph with gusts

• Freezing temperatures possible along SLO County coast tonight

  Freezing temperatures possible along SLO County coast tonight

  A freeze watch for coastal sections of San Luis Obispo County has been issued by the National Weather Service for tonight and early Friday.

  The weather service says temperatures could drop into the mid-to-upper 20s along the coast from Lompoc to Cambria.

  “A freeze watch means subfreezing temperatures are possible,” the National Weather Service said. “Measures should be taken to protect sensitive crops and vulnerable animals should be kept indoors in a barn or similar structure.”

• Goodbye La Nina: Will drought, hurricanes also go?

  Goodbye La Nina: Will drought, hurricanes also go?

  The La Nina weather phenomenon is over. Forecasters say that's good news for the drought in the South and hurricane areas along the coasts.