Could SLO County set a heat record this week? Sunny skies and warm weather are on the way

Strong, high pressure centered over California will produce Chamber of Commerce weather this week, with mostly clear skies and potentially record-high temperatures throughout the Central Coast.

High pressure over California will keep the storm track far to the north this week. It will also bring a wind pattern of moderate to fresh (13 to 24 mph) Santa Lucia northeasterly winds at night and in the morning, shifting out of the northwest in the afternoon and increasing to fresh to strong (19 to 31 mph) levels along the coast through Friday.

Morning temperatures will drop to the mid-40s in the inland valleys (Paso Robles) and the low 50s in the coastal valleys (San Luis Obispo) and along the beaches.

Daytime highs will reach the mid- to high 70s on Saturday through Monday, reaching the 80s on Tuesday and Wednesday.

San Luis Obispo is forecast to hit 86 degrees on Wednesday, breaking the previous record of 85 degrees set in 1986.

A series of dry cold fronts will move through the Central Coast from Friday to next Monday. This condition will create moderate gale-force to fresh gale-force (32 to 46 mph) northwesterly winds, with areas of low marine stratus clouds in the coastal regions and cooler weather.

Long-range models indicate a chance of rain and low-level snow between March 5 and 7.

Surf report

A 6-to 8-foot northwesterly (300-degree deep water) sea and swell (with a 7-to 15-second period) is forecast along our coastline from Saturday into Thursday.

Gale force northwesterly winds along the California coastline will generate an 8- to 10-foot northwesterly (305-degree deep water) sea and swell (with a 5- to 18-second period) on Friday through next Monday.

Surface seawater temperatures will range between 52 and 54 degrees through Thursday, decreasing to 50 to 52 degrees on Friday through next Monday.

On this date in weather history (Feb. 23)

1987: A blizzard raged across western Kansas, the panhandle of Texas and Oklahoma. Pampa, Texas, received 21 inches of snow, and winds gusted to 78 mph at Dodge City, Kansas. Gov. Hayden declared 46 counties in western Kansas a disaster area. In southwest Kansas, the storm was described as the worst in 30 years. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

2009: A very steep pressure gradient developed along the California coastline on Feb. 22, producing sustained northwesterly winds of 40.5 mph with gusts of 55.3 mph at the Diablo Canyon meteorological tower at 7:45 p.m.

2022: Most Central Coast locations recorded less than a tenth of an inch of rain; however, the eastern hills of Nipomo, Davis Peak and Oceano saw nearly two-tenths. Along with the rain, hail and far inland snow flurries were also reported.

This week’s temperatures

LOWS AND HIGHS, PASO ROBLES

LOWS AND HIGHS, SAN LUIS OBISPO AND COASTAL VALLEYS

Learn more about changes in the ocean at ‘Science After Dark’ event

Ocean waves are growing stronger.

The Dec. 23, 2024, swell event was the most powerful to hit California’s Central Coast in over half a century, at least since the Diablo Canyon Waverider Buoy was installed in June 1983.

Is this a sign of what’s to come as our atmosphere continues to warm and the impact it will have on our coastal communities?

I’ll explore this topic at the “Science After Dark” fundraising event at the Central Coast Aquarium in Avila Beach on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

It’s remarkable how many local students have yet to experience the ocean or engage in hands-on marine science. Seeing their excitement as they realize that science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers are within reach is genuinely inspiring.

The dedicated staff and volunteers at the Central Coast Aquarium have played a pivotal role in guiding young minds toward futures in science.

Supporting this mission takes resources, so I’m honored to speak at this fundraiser. Join us for an engaging evening.

The schedule:

6 to 6:45 p.m.: Enjoy local wine, hearty appetizers and explore the aquarium.

7 p.m.: Head upstairs for coffee, tea and desserts, followed by my talk on the historic Dec. 23 wave event and its implications.

Your support makes a difference! I’d love to see you there — register today online at centralcoastaquarium.org/adul.../science-after-dark/.

John Lindsey is a retired PG&E marine meteorologist. Email him at JohnLindseyLosOsos@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @PGE_John.

This story was originally published February 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM.