Good Morning Central Coast! We made it to Thursday and as we get close to the holidays warmer weather continues to move in.
There is little concern with morning conditions as just a little cloud cover sticks around.
Thursday will be another warm one for much of the area with highs in the 60s and some scattered 70s along our south coast. Some interiors will stay in the upper 50s.
While the rest of the country battles extreme cold the only concern here on the Central Coast is a few marine factors. There is a heightened risk of rip currents and 5-7 ft waves as some energy moves onshore. That combined with a kind tide (projected to peak December 23-24) brings the chance for some tidal spillover near the coasts. There is a beach hazard statement detailing this issue in place through noon on Saturday.
Other than our marine concerns there is not a whole lot going on in terms of our weather pattern over the next few days as a ridge of high pressure is just off the coast. This is keeping the warm and dry weather solidly in place through the Holiday Weekend.
The holiday weekend features more highs in the 60s and low 70s, some mid-70s are likely.
This will make very comfortable weather for Christmas and Zose Hanukkah celebrations.
The warm weather continues Monday, but Tuesday the pattern changes and it looks like rain returns to the area.
Most models currently show a frontal boundary moving in to the area, but some models show significant weakening on arrival. I think rain is likely but not exactly a huge storm. The important part is that there is potential there.
This chance is just the first of a series of fast-moving systems look to hit the area in the new year. I like to call these splash and dash storms, none very strong but cumulatively the rainfall is helpful. Having time in between systems allows water to flow into lakes and get absorbed as opposed to having huge one-and-done storms where some water floods off rather than being captured and/or absorbed.
Most of the models show rain totals through the first week of the new year from 0.5-1.5". It is still hard to tell this far out but that is what I am leaning towards.
Have a great day Central Coast!
