Good morning Central Coast!
This week has been beautiful but unfortunately the pattern has changed and now it is time to focus on our next storm.
Onshore winds have begun and will not only cool temps significantly but also dense fog is in place for most of our beach and coastal communities this morning. Take extra caution on the roadways where visibility will fall to near zero for parts of the morning commute.
With those onshore winds and receding upper level ridge, a low-pressure system is pushing in from the Gulf of Alaska, a messy weekend is moving in.
The cooler weather is already in place. Here is a look at today's high temperatures.
By late evening the cold front will arrive and begin some showers, they will become more widespread as the night goes on and by early Saturday morning heavy rain will be in place with the chance for thunderstorms embedded within the system.
The core of the system will push east and will even bring some winery weather to the highest elevations of Santa Barbara county.
There looks to be a little break in the rain Saturday evening into the morning. This will be more scattered showers rather than a full break but it is still going to be noticeable.
Sunday morning the core low pressure will push through and bring another round of heavier rain.
Sunday evening the skies will clear out and once again conditions will set up for a great week ahead.
Aside from the rain wind gusts are expected to reach low end advisory levels from Friday night through to Sunday evening. I expect an advisory to be issued today. A high surf advisory may also be needed as winds drive higher swells.
As far as rain totals go most models have around an inch of accumulation with up to 2 inches in the mountains with lower totals in the interior valleys. There is a chance for higher totals in thunderstorms.
Snow levels will start around 6000 feet but drop rapidly Saturday night, potentially reaching as low as 3500 feet. This is why a winter weather advisory has been issued from Saturday morning at 5 a.m. to Sunday at 5 p.m.
Next week highs will once again climb and it looks likely that conditions will stick around for a nice weekend for the 20th/21st.
Have a great day and weekend!
