SLO County weather forecast: Springtime brings warmer days and nights this week
Much like last week, dry weather will continue through Friday; however, overnight lows and daytime highs will be warmer.
High temperatures will range between the low and mid-70s in the inland and coastal valleys, while the beaches will remain in the 60s. Overnight lows will drop to the mid-30s inland and mid-40 closer to the coast.
A trough of low pressure will develop along the Central California shoreline on Sunday. This system will usher in a classic springtime Central Coast weather pattern with fresh to strong (19 to 31 mph) northwesterly winds during late morning and afternoon and low marine clouds with areas of fog and mist developing during the overnight. These strong northwesterly winds will start as if on cue with the transition to Daylight Saving Time (DST) on Sunday.
These afternoon northwesterly winds will further build to strong to gale-force (25 to 38 mph) levels on Wednesday into Friday.
The long-range charts and models indicate a chance of light rain showers and cooler temperatures on Saturday into Sunday (March 19 and 20).
Surf report
A 3- to 5-foot northwesterly (295-degree, deep-water) swell (with an 8- to 13-second period) is forecast along our coastline through Sunday morning.
A 5- to 7-foot northwesterly (310-degree, deep-water) sea and swell (with a 5- to 16-second period) is forecast along our coastline on Sunday afternoon through Monday, increasing to 6- to 8-feet (with a 7- to 20-second period) on Tuesday and will remain at this height, but with a gradually shorter period through next Friday.
Seawater temperatures will range between 52 and 55 degrees through Friday.
This week’s temperatures
LOWS AND HIGHS, PASO ROBLES
SUN | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
35, 72 | 40, 75 | 49, 73 | 39, 74 | 38, 76 | 37, 78 | 40, 67 | 37, 68 |
LOWS AND HIGHS, SAN LUIS OBISPO AND COASTAL VALLEYS
SUN | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
46, 70 | 49, 75 | 48, 70 | 45, 71 | 47, 75 | 46, 78 | 45, 66 | 47, 68 |
PG&E safety tip
Areas of dense could develop during the overnight, which can decrease visibility. Here are some tips from the CHP for driving in foggy conditions: Reduce your speed and drive with lights on low beam. High beams will reflect off the fog, creating a “white wall” effect.
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.