SLO County weather forecast for the week of Feb. 29

A ridge of high pressure over the West Coast will continue to produce night and morning Santa Lucia (northeasterly) winds through Wednesday morning. These northeasterly winds will give warmer temperatures and mostly clear skies. In fact, high temperatures are expected to reach the low 80s in the North County and coastal valleys while the beaches will reach the mid 70s.

A major change in the weather pattern will occur later this week as the ridge of high pressure responsible for the mostly dry February shifts toward the east. This condition will allow a series of low pressure systems to move through the Central Coast.

The marine layer will return along the coastline Wednesday night as the winds turn out of the south ahead of a weak cold front that will produce increasing clouds, a few rain showers and cooler temperatures Thursday. At this time, Friday appears to be dry; however, a stronger set of low pressure systems will produce rain Saturday into Sunday. More rain is forecast next Monday and Tuesday. The longer-range models continue to suggest a shift toward an even more active pattern during the second and third week of March.

Surf Report

An 8- to 10-foot west-northwesterly (285-degree, deep-water) sea and swell (with a 5- to 14-second period) is forecast along our coastline Monday, decreasing to 6 to 8 feet (with a seven- to 14-second period) Tuesday.

A 5- to 7-foot west-northwesterly (285-degree, deep-water) swell (with a 13- to 16-second period) will develop along our coastline Wednesday into Thursday morning. A 9- to 11-foot west-northwesterly (285-degree, deep-water) swell (with a 16- to 18-second period) is forecast to arrive along our coastline Thursday afternoon, peaking Friday into Saturday at 10 to 12 feet (with a 13- to 15-second period).

A higher-energy west-northwesterly swell is forecast to arrive March 7, 8 and 9.

Seawater temperatures

Seawater temperatures will range between 56 and 58 degrees through Wednesday, increasing Thursday into Sunday.

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At PG&E, your safety is our first concern. If it rains this week, be especially careful; after a long dry period, the first rain releases oil, grease and rubber dust that have accumulated on our roadways, creating slippery conditions. Please slow down and give yourself extra time to reach your destination. Driving too fast is the No. 1 cause of accidents on wet days.

This story was originally published February 28, 2016 at 2:10 PM with the headline "SLO County weather forecast for the week of Feb. 29."