A sunset scene at Morro Bay.
A 999 millibar storm and a series of associated cold fronts will produce unstable weather with gusty southerly winds and periods of rain beginning Sunday and continuing through Wednesday.
A weak cold front is expected to move through San Luis Obispo County on Sunday with rising clouds, light to moderate southerly winds (8 to 18 mph) and scattered light rain showers and patches of dense fog. Morning lows will fall in the mid-40s across the entire Central Coast, while daytime highs will reach the mid-60s.
Another stronger cold front will move through the county on Monday morning with cool to strong (19 to 31 mph) southerly winds and mild to moderate rain. Southerly winds will ease and rain will change to scattered showers Monday afternoon and evening. High temperatures on Monday will only reach 50 degrees.
A 999 millibar low pressure system and associated cold front will follow on Tuesday with strong to strong southerly winds (25 to 38 mph), moderate to heavy rain and cool temperatures, with all central coast locations reaching only than 50 degrees. Snow levels are expected to drop to 4,500 feet on Tuesday. Rain showers are expected Wednesday morning. The total rainfall amount (Sunday through Wednesday) is expected to be between 0.75 and 2 inches, with higher amounts in the mountains.
Moderate to cool (19 to 24 mph) north to northeast winds, partly cloudy skies and cool temperatures are expected Wednesday afternoon and overnight.
Clear skies with cold morning temperatures are expected Thursday and Friday as cool to strong (19 to 31 mph), and occasional gusty Santa Lucia winds develop. In fact, black ice could form on inland valley roads as temperatures are expected to drop below freezing.
Long-term models point to additional rains in the latter part of November.
surf report
Northwesterly 5 to 7 foot seas (295 degrees, deep water) and swell (with a period of 5 to 12 seconds) are forecast Sunday through Monday afternoon, building to 7 to 9 feet (with a period of 7 to 14 seconds) from Monday evening to Wednesday. Combined with this northwesterly sea and swell, there will be 2 to 4 foot southerly seas (190 degrees, deep water) on Monday and Tuesday.
A 4 to 6 foot northwesterly swell (290 degrees, in deep water) (with a period of 8 to 11 seconds) will develop Thursday, diminishing to 2 to 4 feet by Friday.
Sea water temperatures will fluctuate between 53 and 56 degrees until Friday.
This date in the weather history (November 6)
1951 – Snow fell from the Texas Panhandle to the lower Great Lakes, leaving record totals of 12.5 inches in Saint Louis MO and 14.1 inches in Springfield MO. Other heavier snowfall totals included 20 inches at Nevada MO, 13.5 inches at Sedan KS, 13 inches at Decature IL and 10 inches at Alva OK. In the St. Louis area, up to 20 inches have been reported in Washington County. (5th-6th) (David Ludlum)
1988 – A powerful low pressure system over the Great Lakes region continued to produce snow in parts of the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes region. Snowfall totals along the shores of Lake Superior reached 24 inches, with three feet of snow reported in the Porcupine Mountain area of Upper Michigan. Marquette MI set a November record with 17.3 inches of snow in 24 hours. (Storm data)
2019 – The temperature yesterday morning dropped to 34 degrees at Paso Robles Airport, then rose to 86 degrees in the afternoon. A temperature rise of 52 degrees in less than 12 hours.
This week’s temperatures
TOPS AND TOPS, PASO ROBLES
SUN |
MON |
TUE |
MARRY |
GAME |
FRI |
SAT |
SUN |
44, 65 |
42, 58 |
41, 52 |
34, 56 |
30, 58 |
31, 62 |
33, 64 |
35, 66 |
LOWS AND HIGHS, SAN LUIS OBISPO AND COASTAL VALLEYS
SUN |
MON |
TUE |
MARRY |
GAME |
FRI |
SAT |
SUN |
47, 63 |
47, 58 |
46, 53 |
40, 57 |
39, 60 |
41, 61 |
39, 67 | 38, 68 |
John Lindsey is a retired PG&E marine meteorologist. Email him at JohnLindseyLosOsos@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @PGE_John.