SLO County weather: Windy, possible frost midweek
A 563-decameter upper-level low-pressure system centered over the Southern California Bight will produce variable amounts of high-level clouds throughout the Central Coast on Sunday.
A pattern of moderate to fresh (13 to 24 mph) Santa Lucia (northeasterly) winds developing during the night and morning, shifting out of the northwest and increasing to fresh to strong (19 to 31 mph) levels during afternoon will continue Monday as high pressure dominates our region.
High temperatures on Sunday into Tuesday will range between the mid to high-60s. Along with the high-level clouds will be a few areas of low clouds and fog along the coastline during the evening and night.
On Tuesday, a broad area of low pressure shifts over the Great Basin. This system will produce fresh to strong (19 to 31 mph) northwesterly (onshore) winds, allowing the marine layer with pockets of fog and mist to develop in the coastal regions during the evening and night.
These northwesterly winds will be followed by fresh to strong (19 to 31 mph) and, at times, gusty northerly winds, and mostly clear skies on Wednesday. Colder air filtering into the Central Coast behind this low-pressure system will produce cooler temperatures. In fact, overnight lows will drop to the high-20s in the inland valleys (Paso Robles) and low-30s in the Coastal Valleys (San Luis Obispo). Widespread frost is a possibility on Wednesday and Thursday during the overnight. Daytime highs will only reach the high-50s in the North County over this period.
High pressure builds again over the West Coast by the end of the week, resulting in warmer temperatures that will rise to seasonal to warmer than seasonal levels. At this time, dry weather with periods of gusty Santa Lucia winds will continue into the first half of February.
Surf report
Sunday’s 4- to 6-foot northwesterly (300-degree, deep-water) sea and swell (with a 5- to 15-second period) will continue at this level through Monday night.
Increasing northwesterly winds off the Central California coastline will generate a 5- to 7-foot northwesterly (310-degree, deep-water) sea and swell (with a 5- to 15-second period) on Tuesday morning, building to 8- to 10-feet (with a 5- to 14-second period) on Tuesday afternoon and night, decreasing to 7- to 9-feet by Wednesday.
A 4- to 6-foot northwesterly (295-degree, deep-water) swell (with an 8- to 12-second period) is expected on Thursday, dropping to 3- to 5-feet (with an 8- to 14-second period) next Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Seawater temperatures will range between 55 and 57 degrees through Monday.
This week’s temperatures
LOWS AND HIGHS, PASO ROBLES
SUN | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
31, 65 | 33, 63 | 33, 61 | 28, 58 | 29, 62 | 30, 65 | 31, 65 | 33, 66 |
LOWS AND HIGHS, SAN LUIS OBISPO AND COASTAL VALLEYS
SUN | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
39, 69 | 40, 68 | 39, 67 | 32, 63 | 31, 62 | 35, 68 | 38, 68 | 39, 68 |
PG&E safety tip
PG&E Safety Message: During this period of tranquil weather, it’s a perfect time to prepare an emergency preparedness kit. Stock up on enough supplies to last a week. Put the items in waterproof containers and store them in a place that’s easy to reach. Whether you are sheltering at home or evacuating, in a disaster situation you may need to get your supplies quickly. To Learn what you need, please visit www.pge.com
John Lindsey is PG&E’s Diablo Canyon marine meteorologist and a media relations representative. Email him at pgeweather@pge.com or follow him on Twitter @PGE_John.