SLO County weather forecast for the week of March 21
Here is this week’s weather forecast by PG&E meteorologist John Lindsey.
An upper-level, low-pressure system is expected to move into the Central Coast on Monday with scattered rain showers or sprinkles and slightly cooler temperatures. Rainfall amounts will be less than a tenth of an inch, with areas south of San Luis Obispo probably not receiving any measurable precipitation. Snow levels will start out near 5,500 feet Monday, lowering to near 4,000 feet by Tuesday morning.
On Saturday, the sun moved across the invisible line between the hemispheres (vernal equinox), ushering in spring. As if on cue, a steep pressure gradient is expected to develop along the Central Coast on Tuesday. This gradient will produce springtime moderate gale-force to fresh gale-force (32- to 46-mph) northwesterly winds during the afternoon hours along the coast starting Tuesday and will continue through Sunday. These winds should be strong enough to mix out the marine layer, keeping coastal stratus to a minimum.
Long-range models indicate rain during the first part of April.
Monday’s Surf Report
A 9- to 11-foot west-northwesterly (285-degree, deep-water) swell (with a 16- to 18-second period) will arrive along our coastline later Monday, building to 10 to 12 feet (with a 5- to 15-second period) by Tuesday, decreasing to 7 to 9 feet (with a 7- to 12-second period) on Wednesday. Combined with Tuesday’s west-northwesterly swell will be 5- to 7-foot northwesterly (310-degree, shallow-water) seas with a 4- to 6-second period.
Moderate gale-force to fresh gale-force (32- to 46-mph) northwesterly winds along the Central California coastline will generate a 7- to 9-foot northwesterly (300-degree, deep-water) sea and swell (with a 5- to 14-second period) starting Thursday, and it will continue at this height and period through Sunday.
Seawater temperatures
Seawater temperatures are expected to range between 54 and 57 degrees through Monday, decreasing to 52 and 55 degrees Tuesday and into Sunday.
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At PG&E, your safety is our first concern. Never touch a downed power line or go near one.
Power lines are not insulated like power cords. Always assume the power line is live. Do not touch anything or anyone in contact with a fallen power line or other equipment. Keep children and pets away from fallen electric wires.
Call 911 immediately to report a fallen power line.
John Lindsey’s Weekly Weather Forecast is special to The Tribune. Contact him at pgeweather@pge.com.
This week’s temperatures
LOWS AND HIGHS, SLO AND COASTAL VALLEYS
MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
52 66 | 50 67 | 47 72 | 48 77 | 50 73 | 50 74 | 52 75 |
LOWS AND HIGHS, PASO ROBLES
MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
52 67 | 47 64 | 39 70 | 39 75 | 42 77 | 44 79 | 46 80 |
This story was originally published March 20, 2016 at 10:52 PM with the headline "SLO County weather forecast for the week of March 21."