Record-breaking heat hits SLO, Paso Robles — and more warm weather is on the way

The Central Coast is breaking heat records even though it’s nearly Thanksgiving — and more warm weather is on the way.

On Tuesday, San Luis Obispo residents experienced 90-degree temperatures, surpassing the previous high of 88 set in 2002. In North County, Paso Robles reached 81 degrees, breaking a record of 79 set in 2015.

And in Santa Maria, temperatures reached 87 degrees, tying a 100-year-old record set back in 1917.

According to PG&E meteorologist John Lindsey, more heat records could be broken in Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo this week.

The high temperature in San Luis Obispo is forecast to be 89 degrees Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. The record high for Nov. 22 in San Luis Obispo is 87 degrees, set in 2002.

Temperatures on Thanksgiving Day in San Luis Obispo are projected to reach a high of 84 degrees, with cooler weather expected Friday (80 degrees) and Saturday (76). No record temperatures are expected beyond Wednesday, Lindsey said.

In Paso Robles, a high of 83 degrees is forecast for Wednesday, which would break the previous high of 79 set in 2015. The high temperature forecast for Thanksgiving is 79, and it likely won’t get above 80 degrees on Friday (74) and Saturday (77).

The high-pressure air ridge responsible for the heat is expected to weaken by Saturday, Lindsey said, adding that a weak cold front could produce more wind and clouds, as well as heavy drizzle and light rain showers late Saturday into Sunday.

No significant rain is expected at this time, Lindsey said.

The week after Thanksgiving could potentially see a shift to “wet and unsettled” weather for the Central Coast, but Lindsey emphasized this is a long-range forecast that could change.

This story was originally published November 21, 2017 at 6:17 PM with the headline "Record-breaking heat hits SLO, Paso Robles — and more warm weather is on the way."