SLO County weather forecast for the week of May 10: Cooler with a chance for rain

Last week, we saw near-record or recording-breaking temperatures and mostly clear skies.

This week, a “weather whiplash” will take place with the return of the marine low clouds, cooler temperatures and even the chance of rain showers as a trough of low pressure moves over the West Coast.

Gentle to moderate (8 to 18 mph) northwesterly winds, marine low clouds with areas of fog and drizzle (May Gray) and cooler temperatures are forecast on Saturday into Monday afternoon.

Gentle to moderate (8 to 18 mph) southerly winds along with increasing clouds and a slight chance of rain showers will develop Monday night into Tuesday morning as a weak cold front moves through the Central Coast. The bulk of rain will remain north of the Bay Area.

High pressure will rebuild over the Central Coast producing strong to gale-force (25 to 38 mph) afternoon northwesterly winds, mostly clear skies and warmer temperatures starting Wednesday and continuing through Friday. Another cold front will produce another chance of rain next Saturday and Sunday, followed by clear and warmer weather the following week as the low-pressure system departs the area.

Surf report

Sunday’s 4- to 6-foot northwesterly (290-degree, deep-water) swell (with an 8- to 13-second period) is forecast along our coastline through Monday.

Increasing northwesterly winds will generate 4- to 6-foot northwesterly (315-degree, deep-water) sea and swell (with a 5- to 11-second period) on Tuesday through Friday.

A 1- to 2-foot Southern Hemisphere (190-degree, deep-water) swell (with a 17- to 19-second period) will arrive along our coastline this weekend, increasing to 3 to 4 feet (with a 15- to 18-second period) on Sunday through Wednesday.

A 2- to 3-foot Southern Hemisphere (220-degree, deep-water) swell (with an 18- to 20-second period) will arrive along our coastline next Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Seawater temperatures will range between 55 and 57 degrees through Friday.

This week’s temperatures

LOWS AND HIGHS, PASO ROBLES

LOWS AND HIGHS, SAN LUIS OBISPO AND COASTAL VALLEYS

PG&E safety tip

Dense fog is likely to develop during the night and morning. According to the California Highway Patrol, here are some tips for driving in foggy conditions:

▪ Drive with lights on low beam. High beams will reflect off the fog, creating a “white wall” effect.

▪ Reduce your speed, and watch your speedometer. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you might actually be speeding.