Good Morning Central Coast!
Clear skies and light offshore winds with limited cloud cover set the stage for a record-cold morning in Santa Barbara. Thursday morning they got down to 32 degrees, tying their daily temperature record. Elsewhere temperatures missed record lows by a degree or two or three.
Normal lows this time of year in coastal areas are in the lower 40s. Temps in the low 30s are expected once again this morning. There is a frost advisory in place for some our coastal valleys through 8AM.
The daytime recovery will actually pretty good considering how cold the start was, generally 50s and lower 60s. Enjoy the warmer temperatures though as it is looking likley that the extended forecast will be cold and have several chances for rain.
Wednesday into Thursday next week a large trough dips into California and based on current modeling it looks like that center of low pressure will make itself at home and allows ample moisture into the region for several days in a row and even when that feature moves off it could continue to be active into early March. There is indication that from Thursday next week into the following week could see daily rain chances.
The American GFS model has been trending to a concerningly wet period in weather beginning the 22nd and continuing into early March showing 2-6" of rain (possibly more depending on elevation enhancement) but it needs to be said this is VERY early to talk about specifics other than to raise awareness about the potential in this period of the forecast.
The Climate Prediction Center's outlook for the extended forecast is looking cold with temps well below normal.
Precip wise, the above set of storms will bring much wetter than normal conditions to SoCal.
Have a great day and a wonderful weekend Central Coast!
