It isn't just the heat getting to folks around the Central Coast this week, the plume of fire smoke from several fires bringing to our NW will continue to be an issue for the Central Coast until better containment is achieved.
The current weather pattern of hot days certainly set the stage, that and a number of dry lighting events which triggered some of the others.
That pattern is starting to change. The Desert SW ridge which backed into the Central Coast last weekend is finally starting to buckle as the ridge flattens a bit due to a trough trying to push in from the north. Now, the ridge doesn't fully collapse, it just becomes more of a SW flow pattern which is normally more mild. I think temps stay above average into early next week but we should see a 10 degree drop tomorrow and additional cooling into early next week. I think inland highs return to the 90s, which will feel revolutionary.
OK, we need to back up a bit now: last night was hot in SLO. At 11pm temps started going back up, into the 90s. Morning low temps were in the 80s and low 90s depending which site you choose which meant SLO had no problem setting another record high today.
Not only will our area continue to see more variable amounts of subtropical moisture with high-level clouds and a chance of thunderstorms in the far inland areas and smoke will continue to steam over Central Coast through Thursday.
More offshore wind early Thursday should keep the marine layer out the sea before the northwesterly winds bring in a cooler airmass from the pacific later in the afternoon.
Stronger northwesterly winds on Thursday and Friday afternoon will start this cooldown, but some SW facing beaches will likely still be warm. The NW winds will also bring smoke haze for the entire area.
Hurricane Genevieve will weaken and move north, it is currently quite strong near the Baja. Sunday into Monday muggy air should arrive and more monsoon showers and thunderstorms are possible.
