Good Morning Central Coast! As you head out the door this morning the chill in the air will be noticeable as more marine (and below normal) influence moves in. This morning that not only means an extra layer heading out the door but also some limited visibilities on roadways. This will impact the Santa Ynez Valley most of all this morning but may also dramatically drop visibility in Santa Maria.
Turning to our forecast, it has been easy to see and feel the departure from last weeks temperatures. Local weather has turned much cooler, less muggy, and a bit breezy. This trend of mild to below-average highs continues into the coming weekend.
Outside of the morning cloud cover, some very good clearing should take place. Sunny skies will be in place by the mid day hours. Highs will remain down, significantly more comfortable than in days past. 60s at most beaches with 70s and a few scattered 80s in coastal valleys and 70s and 80s in the interior valleys as well.
There are some wind gusts continuing to impact the Santa Barbara county south coast (mainly the Gaviota Coastline) with some sundowner winds. They could produce gusts up to 45mph overnight, calming down into the overnight hours. This is why there is a Wind Advisory in place until 3AM Friday morning for that area.
This pattern lasts into the weekend. But as the weekend arrives all eyes will be on the low pressure system being ejected from the Pacific Northwest and comes speeding south.
I don't think a local arrival is likely until late Sunday at the earliest. Monday appears more likely. When the system arrives winds will shift and substantial rain chances move in. Models are still indicating this system will likely impact the Central Coast
The good news is that the system is still sticking around and continues to look like it could bring significant rainfall. I think many locations in the western half and northern Central Coast will see half an inch or more of rain, while the farther southeast you go the less rain expected.
We are just on the edge of this storm being picked up by high resolution models so we will know more soon.
Rain showers are likely Sunday night into Monday. I am still liking some higher amounts (maybe up to an inch in some spots) but a quarter to a half through most areas that see the brunt of the storm, I wouldn't be surprised with just a few hundredths of an inch in the SE corner of SB county.
Have a great day Central Coast!
