SLO County weather forecast: Near-record breaking warmth on the way

A strong ridge of high pressure over the West Coast will keep the storm track far to the north in an Omega-shaped pattern. This ridge will continue to produce gusty night and morning Santa Lucia (northeasterly) winds, near record-breaking warmth and clear skies with low relative humidity levels through Wednesday morning.

Persistent northwesterly winds will develop by Wednesday afternoon and will give slightly lower temperatures and also introduce the possibility of marine low clouds during the evening and overnight hours along the beaches starting Wednesday afternoon and continuing through Saturday.

Unfortunately, the long-range forecast models are looking rather dry for the first half of February, with the next chance for rain perhaps by Feb. 20, although it is looking not to be significant at this time.

However, these models are indicating a greater chance of entering into a wet weather pattern by the end of the month.

Surf Report

A 4- to 6-foot northwesterly (290-degree, deep-water) swell (with a 20- to 22-second period) will arrive along our coastline Monday, building to 5 to 7 feet (with a 16- to 18-second period) Tuesday.

A 4- to 6-foot northwesterly (305-degree, deep-water) sea and swell (with a 5- to 15-second period) is forecast Wednesday into Thursday morning.

A 5- to 7-foot west-northwesterly (285-degree, deep-water) swell (with a 20- to 22-second period) will arrive along our coastline Thursday afternoon, increasing to 10 to 12 feet (with a 16- to 18-second period) Friday into Saturday. The longer-range models are indicating another west-northwesterly (285-degree, deep-water) swell arriving along our coastline Feb. 16 and 17.

Seawater temperatures

Seawater temperatures will range between 54 and 57 degrees through Monday.

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This story was originally published February 7, 2016 at 8:33 PM with the headline "SLO County weather forecast: Near-record breaking warmth on the way."