Weather report

A strong 1,036-millibar Eastern Pacific High about 500 miles northwest of San Luis Obispo is producing a steep pressure gradient along the Central Coast.

This pressure gradient will produce strong to gale-force (25- to 38-mph) northwesterly winds along the coastline during the afternoon hours.  These winds will bring a cool and dry air mass that will spread across the state and produce mostly clear skies.

Today’s maximum temperatures will only reach the mid-50s across the North County and beaches and the low 60s in the coastal valleys. Minimum temperatures will drop below the freezing level across the North County.

A high-pressure ridge will build over California on Tuesday, and warmer weather will be the trend into next weekend. This ridge of high pressure will produce a pattern of gentle to moderate (8- to 18-mph) and at times gusty northeasterly (Santa Lucia) winds during the night and morning hours.  These Santa Lucia winds will produce cool mornings and warm afternoons.

Slightly cooler weather is possible by next week.  That is when the high- pressure ridge is forecast to break down, allowing for a potential storm system or two to produce precipitation by the middle and latter part of next week. It is still too far out to nail down any details, but that is the next chance for any wet weather for San Luis Obispo County.

Surf report

Strong to gale-force (25- to 38-mph) northwesterly winds along the coast will generate a 7- to 9-foot northwesterly (305-degree deep-water) sea and swell (with a 5- to 18-second period) through tonight.

A 6- to 8-foot northwesterly (295-degree deep-water) swell (with an 8- to 16-second period) will arrive along our coast Tuesday, decreasing to 4 to 6 feet (with an 11- to 18-second period) Wednesday. This northwesterly (295-degree deep-water) swell will further lower to 3 to 5 feet (with a 9- to 16-second period) Thursday and will remain at this height and period through Friday.

A 5- to 7-foot northwesterly (290-degree deep-water) swell (with an 18- to 20-second period) will arrive along our coast Saturday, peaking Sunday at 8 to 10 feet (with a 16- to 18-second period).

Seawater temperatures

Seawater temperatures will range between 52 and 54 degrees through Friday.

Weekly Forecast is written by John Lindsey, a PG&E meteorologist whose Weather Watch column appears in The Tribune on Sundays.