SLO County weather forecast for the week of April 10

Here is this week’s weather forecast by PG&E meteorologist John Lindsey.

Dry and cooler air is expected to move into the Central Coast on Monday — which, along with gentle to moderate (8 to 18 mph) Santa Lucia (northwesterly) winds, will allow inland temperatures to drop into the low to mid-30s across the North County and mid-40s elsewhere. Warmer daytime highs will develop by Monday afternoon as a transitory ridge of high pressure moves over California.

Clouds are forecast to begin increasing Tuesday as a trough of low pressure develops along the West Coast. A quick-moving cold front will generate moderate to fresh (13 to 24 mph) southerly winds Wednesday into Thursday morning. Gentle to moderate rain is expected to develop along the frontal boundary Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Overall, the system is not expected to be associated with as much moisture. Thus, rainfall amounts will be generally under one-half of an inch. However, with the longer days of April, there could also be enough instability in the atmosphere to produce a chance of thunderstorms. The system will produce mountain snow Wednesday and Thursday.

Gale-force northwesterly winds and partly cloudy skies are expected Thursday afternoon into Saturday. Longer-range models show the possibility of rain moving into the area toward the end of next week.

Surf report

Strong to gale-force (25 to 38 mph) northwesterly winds along the California coastline are expected to generate a 5- to 7-foot northwesterly (300-degree, deep-water) sea and swell (with a five- to 11-second period) on Monday afternoon.

A 6- to 8-foot westerly (275-degree, deep-water) swell (with an eight- to 12-second period) will develop Tuesday into Thursday morning.

Strong to gale-force (25 to 38 mph) northwesterly winds along the California coastline will generate a 6- to 8-foot northwesterly (310-degree, deep-water) sea and swell (with a five- to 14-second period) Thursday afternoon into Saturday.

Seawater temperatures are expected to range between 50 and 53 degrees through Friday.

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At PG&E, the safety of our customers and employees is a top priority. Lightning kills an average of 49 people in the United States each year, and hundreds more are severely injured. The Central Coast could experience thunderstorms this week. Remember, there is no safe place outside when thunderstorms are in the area. If you hear thunder, you are likely within striking distance. “When thunder roars, go indoors.”

This story was originally published April 9, 2017 at 1:58 PM with the headline "SLO County weather forecast for the week of April 10."